Databases



Scientific databases often allow you to cover ground more quickly than reading individual papers, especially in early stages of research. Use them!

Biology

 * Small Molecule Pathway Database - Drawings of human metabolic pathways. For example, SMP00068 - Androgen and Estrogen Metabolism.
 * Human Metabolome Database - Information about metabolites and the reactions they are involved in. For example, Testosterone (HMDB0000234).
 * The Human Protein Atlas - Shows where proteins are expressed on the tissue level and the cell level. For example, Estrogen receptor 1.
 * OMIM (Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man) - Catalog of genes and genetic disorders. For example, 607311 - Progesterone receptor

Drugs

 * DrugBank - Information about drugs, including their mechanism of action and clinical trials. For example, Spironolactone (DB00421).
 * BindingDB - Database of drug binding affinities. For example, BDBM19441 shows the binding affinity of raloxifene to the estrogen receptor (note the different affinities for ERα and ERβ -- check the "Assay Description" box for which ER is being considered).