HomoloGene

HomoloGene is a database and analytical tool developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to facilitate the identification of homologous genes across different species. Homologous genes are those that share a common ancestor and often retain similar functions, making them valuable for comparative genomics and evolutionary biology studies.

The database provides users with a comprehensive collection of gene families, allowing researchers to explore evolutionary relationships and functional annotations. Users can query HomoloGene using gene identifiers from various organisms, such as protein or nucleotide sequences, gene names, or accession numbers. The system then returns a list of homologous genes across multiple species, organized into gene families based on sequence similarity and phylogenetic analysis.

HomoloGene integrates data from multiple sources, including GenBank, RefSeq, and other NCBI databases, ensuring that the information is up-to-date and reliable. It also includes tools for visualizing phylogenetic trees, which illustrate the evolutionary paths of gene families. This feature helps researchers understand how genes have diverged or been conserved over time.

The tool is particularly useful for studying conserved protein domains, gene duplication events, and species-specific adaptations. By comparing homologous genes, scientists can infer functional similarities, predict gene function in newly sequenced genomes, and investigate the molecular basis of evolutionary processes.

HomoloGene is freely accessible via the NCBI website and is regularly updated to include new genomic data. It serves as a valuable resource for both academic and industrial researchers working in genomics, bioinformatics, and evolutionary biology.