Bioinformatics Links Directory

The Bioinformatics Links Directory is an online community resource that contains a directory of freely available tools, databases, and resources for bioinformatics and molecular biology research. The listing of the servers published in this and previous issues of Nucleic Acids Research together with other useful tools and websites represents a rich repository of resources that are openly provided to the research community using internet technologies. The 166 servers highlighted in the 2005 90002 are included in the more than 700 links to useful online resources that are currently contained within the descriptive biological categories of the Bioinformatics Links Directory. This curated listing of bioinformatics resources is available online at the Bioinformatics Links Directory web site, http://bioinformatics.ubc.ca/resources/links_directory/. A complete listing of the 2005 Nucleic Acids Research 90002 servers is available online at the Nucleic Acids web site, http://nar.oupjournals.org/, and on the Bioinformatics Links Directory web site, http://bioinformatics.ubc.ca/resources/links_directory/narweb2005/.[1]

The Bioinformatics Links Directory is a public online resource that lists the servers published in this and all previously published Nucleic Acids Research Web Server issues together with other useful tools, databases and resources for bioinformatics and molecular biology research. This rich directory of tools and websites can be browsed and searched with all listed links freely accessible to the public. The 2006 update includes the 149 websites highlighted in the July 2006 issue of Nucleic Acids Research and brings the total number of servers listed in the Bioinformatics Links Directory to over 1000 links. To aid navigation through this growing resource, all link entries contain a brief synopsis, a citation list and are classified by function in descriptive biological categories. The most up-to-date version of this actively maintained listing of bioinformatics resources is available at the Bioinformatics Links Directory website, http://bioinformatics.ubc.ca/resources/links_directory/. A complete list of all links listed in this Nucleic Acids Research 2006 Web Server issue can be accessed online at http://bioinformatics.ubc.ca/resources/links_directory/narweb2006/. The 2006 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory, which includes the Web Server list and summaries, is also available online at the Nucleic Acids Research website, http://nar.oupjournals.org/.[2]

The Bioinformatics Links Directory, http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory, is an actively maintained compilation of servers published in this and previous issues of Nucleic Acids Research issues together with many other useful tools, databases and resources for life sciences research. The 2007 update includes the 130 websites highlighted in the July 2007 Web Server issue of Nucleic Acids Research and brings the total number of servers listed in the Bioinformatics Links Directory to just under 1200 links. In addition to the updated content, the 2007 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory includes new features for improved navigation, accessibility and open data exchange. A complete listing of all links listed in this Nucleic Acids Research 2007 Web Server issue can be accessed online at, http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/narweb2007. The 2007 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory, which includes the Web Server list and summaries is also available online, at the Nucleic Acids Research web site, http://nar.oupjournals.org.[3]

The Bioinformatics Links Directory, http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/, is an online resource for public access to all of the life science research web servers published in this and previous issues of Nucleic Acids Research, together with other useful tools, databases and resources for bioinformatics and molecular biology research. Dependent on community input and development, the Bioinformatics Links Directory exemplifies an open access research tool and resource. The 2008 update includes the 94 web servers featured in the July 2008 Web Server issue of Nucleic Acids Research, bringing the total number of servers listed in the Bioinformatics Links Directory to over 1200 links. A complete list of all links listed in this Nucleic Acids Research 2008 Web Server issue can be accessed online at http://bioinfomatics.ca/links_directory/narweb2008/. The 2008 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory, which includes the Web Server list and summaries, is also available online at the Nucleic Acids Research website, http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/.[4]

All of the life science research web servers published in this and previous issues of Nucleic Acids Research, together with other useful tools, databases and resources for bioinformatics and molecular biology research are freely accessible online through the Bioinformatics Links Directory, http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/. Entirely dependent on user feedback and community input, the Bioinformatics Links Directory exemplifies an open access research tool and resource. With 112 websites featured in the July 2009 Web Server Issue of Nucleic Acids Research, the 2009 update brings the total number of servers listed in the Bioinformatics Links Directory close to an impressive 1400 links. A complete list of all links listed in this Nucleic Acids Research 2009 Web Server Issue can be accessed online at http://bioinfomatics.ca/links_directory/narweb2009/. The 2009 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory, which includes the Web Server list and summaries, is also available online at the Nucleic Acids Research website, http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/.[5]

The Links Directory at Bioinformatics.ca continues its collaboration with Nucleic Acids Research to jointly publish and compile a freely accessible, online collection of tools, databases and resource materials for bioinformatics and molecular biology research. The July 2010 Web Server issue of Nucleic Acids Research adds an additional 115 web server tools and 7 updates to the directory at http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/, bringing the total number of servers listed close to an impressive 1500 links. The Bioinformatics Links Directory represents an excellent community resource for locating bioinformatic tools and databases to aid one's research, and in this context bioinformatic education needs and initiatives are discussed. A complete list of all links featured in this Nucleic Acids Research 2010 Web Server issue can be accessed online at http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/narweb2010/. The 2010 update of the Bioinformatics Links Directory, which includes the Web Server list and summaries, is also available online at the Nucleic Acids Research website, http://nar.oxfordjournals.org/.[6]

The Bioinformatics Links Directory continues its collaboration with Nucleic Acids Research to collaboratively publish and compile a freely accessible, online collection of tools, databases and resource materials for bioinformatics and molecular biology research. The July 2011 Web Server issue of Nucleic Acids Research adds an additional 78 web server tools and 14 updates to the directory at http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/.[7]

The 2012 Bioinformatics Links Directory update marks the 10th special Web Server issue from Nucleic Acids Research. Beginning with content from their 2003 publication, the Bioinformatics Links Directory in collaboration with Nucleic Acids Research has compiled and published a comprehensive list of freely accessible, online tools, databases and resource materials for the bioinformatics and life science research communities. The past decade has exhibited significant growth and change in the types of tools, databases and resources being put forth, reflecting both technology changes and the nature of research over that time. With the addition of 90 web server tools and 12 updates from the July 2012 Web Server issue of Nucleic Acids Research, the Bioinformatics Links Directory at http://bioinformatics.ca/links_directory/ now contains an impressive 134 resources, 455 databases and 1205 web server tools, mirroring the continued activity and efforts of our field.[8]

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