Glycomics and Glycoproteomics Databases in Japan and Asia

The ‘‘Integrated Database Project’’ was initiated to establish a publically accessible database to integrate all useful life science databases in Japan. Our JCGGDB (Japan Consortium for Glycobiology and Glycotechnology Database) was selected as a promotion program in the project, focussing on the integration of all the glycan-related databases and establishment of user-friendly search systems. As part of the project, we intend the integration of databases not only within Asia but also with other countries. Working closely with various institutes in Japan and the world, we continuously develop base technologies for the database integration, facilitate interactions between databases in the field of glycoscience as well as other associated study areas, and build bioinformatics tools to support experimental study. Our goal is to create a truly useful database that could be easily and intuitively understood by every user.