"To create an online searchable database system to store research information about the E. coli bacterium"

Supervised by K.Bogdanov

Abstract

The bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli) has been extensively researched over the last 50 years and is arguably the most well understood of all living organisms. There are many research communities involved in the research of the bacterium, in addition to the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Department at Sheffield University which commissioned this project.

The intention behind the proposed system is to provide a free, easily maintainable integrated database and website. The Department had an existing website, but believed that the addition of a searchable online database cataloguing the existence and details of every discovered gene relevant to E. coli would add value to the site. The system was also required to allow external researchers to submit information to and modify information already in the database.

When the project had been completed, all the requirements specified by the client were achieved and, additionally, features including an undo facility were added. This undo facility, in particular, makes the completed product stand out as being different from functions normally found on web sites.