An ability to access and analyse biologically relevant data is essential for biomedical scientists - there are few, if any, experiments undertaken these days that do not involve some element of online data analysis, ranging from literature and DNA sequence searches to 3D molecular modelling. However, even simple analysis tasks often require many different software packages and databases to be used in a co-ordinated manner.

Students begin by exploring a "virtual laboratory" where they are presented with a microbiological problem - a suspected case of smallpox. Background information is included in the program but in order to solve the problem students much investigate DNA sequences using global biology databases. DNA explorer provides a framework for students to access the relevant databases, interpret their findings and consider their implications.

Authors: Richard Strugnell, Brendan Crabb, Carol Ginns, Terry Judd, Gregor Kennedy and Mike Keppell

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