McCarthy has been a key player in developing databases for LBL's Human Genome Center. In the spring of 1991, he was approached by USDA about adapting LBL human genome database technology for use with plant genome data. Using database design tools developed by LBL's data management group under Victor Markowitz, McCarthy and other members of ICSD's genome computing group began working with USDA- sponsored researchers. Its open architecture enables groups like ours to collaborate in it ongoing development. Therefore, at LBL we've been able to make major contributions to design and development of new display modules and extensions to the database core.
Information is presented in multiple window displays containing text, diagrams, and pictures.
Scientists can browse through data using a computer mouse and click on components such as gene names to bring up detail windows. This helps move information much more quickly from lab notebooks into public archives. Computer scientists and biologists at LBL use electronic mail to instantaneously to exchange questions, ideas, data, and code on a daily basis with colleagues in England, France, Germany, Japan, and throughout the United States. Researchers connected to the InterNet can run them from computers anywhere in the world. These databases have also been uploaded into the Plant Genome Database of USDA's National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, Md., which means they can now be accessed by telephone modem as well.