Ontology Definition

An ontology is a controlled, hierarchical vocabulary for describing a knowledge system. The Gene Ontology Consortium provides a widely accepted controlled vocabulary for molecular biology. This allows data mining and cross-correlation of gene functions, biological processes, and cellular components across species and databases. Magpie attempts to determine terms from the Gene Ontology that are associated with the sequence, based on InterPro mapping, E.C.'s, hit descriptions, and more. Try to select the most precise term you're certain is associated with your sequence. e.g. given "kinase", "protein kinase" and "protein serine/threonine kinase", the latter is preferable. If you are not sure it is serine/threonine specific, choose "protein kinase".

Because the hierarchy is not a tree, it is difficult to represent the terms indented in a parent child manner. Magpie presents the GO terms roughly from most precise to least precise, with the depth of the term in the ontology hierarchy in brackets to the right of the term to aid the reader.

In order for ontology terms to be associated with a sequence and searchable, you must check the terms, enter your password, then submit.