MaizeGDB: everything old is new again! (Computational and Large-Scale Biology)
Andorf, Carson M.¹; Cannon, Ethalinda KS²; Portwood, John L.²; Braun, Bremen L.¹; Harper, Lisa C.^{1 3}; Campbell, Darwin A.¹; Gardiner, Jack M.^{2 4}; Schaeffer, Mary A.^{5 6}; Richter, Jacqueline D.²; Sen, Taner Z.^{1 2}; Lawrence, Carolyn J.^{1 2
1} USDA-ARS Corn Insects and Crop Genetics Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
² Department of Genetics Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
³ USDA-ARS Plant Gene Expression Center, Albany, CA 94710
⁴ School of Plant Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721-0036
⁵ USDA-ARS Plant Genetics Research Unit, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
⁶ Division of Plant Sciences, Department of Agronomy, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA

The focus of genetic, genomic, and breeding research evolves over time, making it necessary to continually redefine the paradigm for data access and data analysis tools. Here we report the reinvention of MaizeGDB, the maize genetics and genomics database, to meet maize researchers’ ever changing needs. New, emerging, and prevailing areas of research that guided the reinvention of MaizeGDB include the availability of a well-sequenced reference genome and resequencing information from literally thousands of diverse inbred lines and populations, as well as the emergence of computational tools that enable the execution of, e.g., detailed functional genomics analyses before ever setting foot in the wet lab or research plot. The overall goal of the 2-year MaizeGDB redesign has been to expand the overall functionality of MaizeGDB while simultaneously creating a clean, modern interface with enhanced user interaction and improved response times. The redesign involved creating a new look and feel as well as reorganizing existing data and incorporating new data, data types, and analysis tools (including, e.g., gene models, diversity data, and functional genomics datasets and interaction tools) into the MaizeGDB resource. A key component to the redesign has been community involvement. Several community members have volunteered their time and perspectives as beta-testers for the new site and continue to provide valuable insight. In addition the community at large has offered perspectives via email, website feedback, and personal interactions. Here we provide an overview of the new website, updates on new and forthcoming data and data types, and describe the stages of release planned for the new site. To try out the new website now, visit us at http://alpha.maizegdb.org.

Funding acknowledgement: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)