UCSC Genome Browser: Possible Contributions in Sars-Cov-2 Diagnosis

UCSC Genome Browser: Possible Contributions in Sars-Cov-2 Diagnosis

Sanskrita Sukla

Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University, Noida

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Abstract - In recent times, the approach for genomic analysis has been revolutionised. The venture of enquiry and study no longer requires long hours of preparing, testing and waiting for results nor does it require a long wait time to obtain pre-analysed support data for further experimentation. Genome Browsers with their underlying database housing colossal amounts of documented, pre-computed data have provided a sturdy stepping ground for the exponential rate at which new research has been progressing. The UCSC Genome Browser with its central and offsite databases, an array of gateway interfaces and tools, secure data hubs for personal and public circulation— forms one of the most far-reaching assets for sequencing and further investigation. The paper discusses the procedural work put in to develop such massive data repositories, their distribution and establishment of a browser that queries them for graphical results. The paper pursues the examination of the specifics of the UCSC Genome Browser architecture and its tools. Along the way, a few segments digress to provide insights about addition of new assemblies and pertinent projects like, ENCODE. Finally, wherever relevant, the paper reviews a few instrumental studies to which UCSC Genome Browser has played a pivotal role.

Key Words:  BLAT, database, genomic data, SARS-CoV-2, sequencing, UCSC genome browser