The C. elegans genomic, genetic and biological database WormBase (http://www.wormbase.org) has two fundamental goals: to expand the information content of the database and to make it easier to use. As was its predecessor ACeDB, WormBase is a repository of physical map and genome sequence data (>99.6% complete) from The C. elegans Sequencing Consortium, and of genetic map data curated by the Caenorhabditis Genetics Center. WormBase continually updates gene structures and WormPep (a compendium of the best guess of C. elegans proteins) based on ESTs, cDNA sequence, C. briggsae genomic sequence, protein homology, and other relevant data.

A central element of WormBase is professional curation of the literature and of large-scale datasets. We are systematically extracting information from the C. elegans literature (about 4400 papers in April 2001). New data sets added in the past year include integrated transgenes, RNAi experiments from the large-scale screens and from the literature; gene expression data from the literature, SNP location and map data; and diagrams of cells from John White. Revisions of data models are underway to accommodate additional types of data on gene expression, regulation and function, cell function, as well as a more refined view of sequence features. As part of the curation effort, we are working with C. elegans researchers to develop broadly usable structured vocabulary for intensely studied aspects of C. elegans biology such as stages of embryonic development. To increase the sharing of data among model organism databases, WormBase has joined the Gene Ontology Consortium to help modify their shared, structured vocabulary to accomodate C. elegans biology.

WormBase is now updated weekly. To increase speed of access through the Internet , mirrors of the website will be available by the time of this meeting. On the website, the classic graphical displays of ACeDB have been supplemented with new viewers: A SimpleMap viewer gives the look of an old style hand-drawngenetic map, but with clickable links. Genome Hunter allows browsing of the genome in a continuous fashion, displaying genes, cDNAs, C. briggsae homologies, and other features such as the location of sequences used in RNAi experiments; it also allows easy downloading of sequence. A new Pedigree Browserdisplays the cell lineage highlighting cells of interest. In addition to Simple Search from the home page, searches for expression patterns, RNAi data, cells, BLAST searches, and complex queries are available. A User guide has been added. We rely on users to inform us of errors in information or software performance, as well as your desires for content and presentation. Users can forward data to curators via web-based forms, email, or via file transfers. WormBase exists to serve the C. elegans and broader biomedical community, and the WormBase Consortium thanks our many data contributors and collaborators, especially those providing their large-scale datasets, and those providing feedback.