The database contains heavily annotated entries for the refolding of a wide range of proteins which can be searched via multiple parameters using either simple or advanced search functions. The database can also be browsed by categories such as structural class, family, or refolding method. The web interface allows a detailed, sortable, spreadsheet-like list of results allowing quick visualisation of search results. Each entry contains detailed information regarding the protein of interest, methods and conditions employed, as well as reference and links to the relevant journal publication. Effective use of hyperlinks in results pages also allows useful browsing of entries for other proteins sharing similar properties or methods.
REFOLD also provides analysis of the database through graphical representation of the data. The available graphs show the breakdown of refolding records in the database according to different parameters, such as refolding method, protein constructs and various refolding conditions. REFOLD graphs can be found here.
Registering on REFOLD is extremely easy (and of course free), and allows you to deposit your own refolding data using a simple form. The PubMed or Journal link to your published data is also shown, allowing easy access for others interested in your refolding experiences. This means the REFOLD site is an excellent way of disseminating your refolding protocols and techniques to the community. REFOLD was established to aid the community of researchers in the field of protein expression and renaturation. As such, data on this site is freely available to all.
REFOLD runs on MySQL relational database server software (version 4.1), hosted by an Apple Dual 2 GHz G5/OS X Server (version 10.4.5). The web-based query interface to the database was created in PHP5.
REFOLD was created by Ashley M. Buckle and Stephen P. Bottomley, at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.
Please cite the following when referring to REFOLD:
Buckle AM, Devlin GL, Jodun RA, Fulton KF, Faux N, Whisstock JC, Bottomley SP. (2005) The Matrix Refolded. Nature Methods. 2:3. [PubMed]Chow MK, Amin AA, Fulton KF, Whisstock JC, Buckle AM, Bottomley SP. (2005) REFOLD: An analytical database of protein refolding methods. Protein Expr Purif. [PubMed]
Chow MK, Amin AA, Fulton KF, Fernando T, Kamau L, Batty C, Louca M, Ho S, Whisstock JC, Bottomley SP, Buckle AM. (2006) The REFOLD database: a tool for the optimization of protein expression and refolding. Nucleic Acids Res. [PubMed]
The REFOLD team are: Steve Androulakis, Mark Bate, Nasrin Yamout, Jason Schmidberger, Steve Bottomley, and Ashley Buckle
2008
