Using Graph Database technology for Cancer Susceptibility Gene Visualization

Graph databases are an approach to KnowledgeBase curation that builds on connections between data to create networks. 

Rather than tables of data linked by unique identifiers, a “thing” is connected by its “action” on another “thing “ making a triplet using Resource Description Framework (RDF), such as “BRCA1” “increases the risk of” “Breast cancer.”  

These triplets, when strung together create networks that are useful as visualizations or knowledge exploration and analysis tools.  The technology has tremendous potential for building visualizations that make difficult concepts more understandable In addition, we are exploring the potential of this approach to knowledge discovery and research. See: http://gene-app.herokuapp.com/