News Briefs

Applied Bio releases expanded PANTHER protein classification system database

FOSTER CITY, Calif.—Applied Biosystems released the latest PANTHER system database of protein families, subfamilies, functions and pathways. Enhancements to the latest version, PANTHER 5.0, include interactive resources for associating protein families with their biological pathways, as well as new tools for analyzing gene expression data in relation to molecular functions, biological processes, and pathways. The PANTHER database is publicly available without restriction at "http://panther.appliedbiosystems.com"

Applied Bio also announced that beginning in February the PANTHER system will become part of the European Bioinformatics Institute's InterPro database, which provides an integrated view of commonly used protein databases through an intuitive interface for text– and sequence–based searches.

GlaxoSmithKline selects CambridgeSoft E-Notebook

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—CambridgeSoft Corp., a provider of E-Notebook solutions, agreed in January to provide software licensing to GlaxoSmithKline's Global R&D facilities.

GSK selected CambridgeSoft's E-Notebook for its flexibility across the wide range of data generated in the many disciplines and functional areas within GSK's Discovery R&D organization. GSK is partnering with CambridgeSoft to customize the E-Notebook to meet GSK requirements and integrate with key applications and workflow tools.

Boehringer Ingelheim adopts MDL Isentris Platform

SAN LEANDRO, Calif.—Elsevier MDL announced that Boehringer Ingelheim has licensed the MDL Isentris information management and integration platform for its worldwide R&D operations.

"Successful drug discovery depends on state-of-the-art informatics technology and excellent interdisciplinary cooperation," says Mikael Dolsten, M.D., Ph.D., head of corporate division pharma research at Boehringer Ingelheim. "The Isentris platform is capable of integrating scientific information and drug discovery applications across Boehringer Ingelheim's global centers for pharma research, thereby greatly enhancing project team collaboration."

"MDL Isentris improves the overall productivity of pharmaceutical research by enhancing integration and flexibility within scientific content and workflow applications," says Lars Barfod, president and chief executive officer of Elsevier MDL.