In previous work, we developed a database system to support analysis of the E. coli genome. That system provided a pidgin-English query facility, rudimentary pattern-matching capabilities, and the ability to rapidly extract answers to a wide variety of questions about the organization of the E. coli genome. To enable the comparative analysis of the genomes from different species, we have designed and implemented a new prototype database system, called the Integrated Genomic Database (IGD). IGD extends our earlier effort by incorporating a set of curator`s tools that facilitate the incorporation of physical and genetic data, together with the results of genome organization analysis, into a common database system. Additional tools for extracting, manipulating, and analyzing data are planned
