Information contained in biological databases includes gene function, structure, localization (both cellular and chromosomal), clinical effects of mutations as well as similarities of biological sequences and structures. Biological databases can be broadly classified into sequence, structure and functional databases.

1. Characteristics of
Biological Databases

2. Characteristics of Biological
Databases
1. Data Heterogeneity
There is a great deal of diversity in data types of a biological
database. Some of the biological data types are:
a) Sequences
b) Graphs
c) High dimensional data
d) Shapes
e) Temporal data
f) Patterns
g) Model data
h) Scalar and vector fields
i) Extracted features data

3. Sequences

4. Graphs
Biological data indicating relationships (through pathways) among
themselves can be captured as graphs or networks.
Metabolic pathway Signaling pathway Gene regulatory network

5. High dimensional data
Data generated from microarray data that involve thousand of genes, hundreds of
experimental conditions, clustering studies on genes etc.
Microarray Microarray Data

6. Shapes
3D molecular structure data To check Docking Behaviour

7. Temporal data
Useful for studying the dynamics of any biological system.
Electrophysiology recording
Development biology
Protein structure dynamic
Cellular structure dynamic

8. Patterns
Within the genome there are patterns characterize biologically
interesting entities.

9. Model data
The biological phenomena are represented as computational,
mathematical and statistical models used for parameter testing.
Computational, mathematical and statistical models

10. Scalar and vector fields
Charge distribution across the cell surface, calcium and protein
fluxes across the cell surface.

11. Extracted features data
Numerical data extracted from any of the above data is
included in this data.
Numerical dataExperiments

12. 2. High Volume Data
DNA
RNA
Protein

13. 3. Uncertainty
Biological data is uncertain that must be modeled and
recorded as a part of data.

14. 4. Data Curation
• There are missing links and
inconsistencies in the
biological data.
• These inconsistencies are
due to lack of knowledge
in desired field.
• To improve it, cross-
correlation of data and its
analysis is done.

15. Large Scale Data Integration
Integrated
Data
Laboratory 2
Laboratory 1 Laboratory 3
Laboratory 4

16. Data Sharing
Biological
Data
Verification by Different Scientists
Reproducible
or
not?

17. Dynamic and subject to continual
change
To develop new organization database schemes to
incorporate any new data.