Collaborative proteomics framework with XML databases and an integrated XML viewer for 2DPAGE

SUMMARY We developed a collaborative proteomics framework with XML-based 2DPAGE database and XML viewer optimized for the proteome database. Prior to the development of the framework, we optimized the XML format of our TMIG-XML-2DPAGE database for efficient data sharing in a collaborative research community. The data format is comprised with 2 layers of 2-D gel map and spot protein information. The function of clickable imagemap for representing spot protein information is available both in the proteome data management system with PHP and in the XML viewer with Object Pascal. Individual spots on an experimental 2-D gel image are easily matched to corresponding spots on a standard 2-D gel map in the TMIG-XML-2DPAGE database using the function of the XML viewer.