KEGG for linking genomes to life and the environment

KEGG is a database of biological systems that integrates genomic, chemical, and systemic functional information. Its central mechanism for linking genomes to life is PATHWAY mapping, in which the genomic or transcriptomic content of genes is mapped onto KEGG reference pathways to infer the systemic behavior of a cell or organism. To link genomes to the environment, KEGG uses BRITE mapping, where KEGG BRITE is an ontology database representing functional hierarchies of biological objects including molecules, cells, organisms, diseases, and drugs, along with their relationships, supporting analyses such as drug-target relationships.

KEGG PATHWAY is supplemented with a new global map of metabolic pathways, essentially a combined map of about 120 existing pathway maps, while smaller pathway modules and other functional units and complexes are defined and stored in KEGG MODULE. The resource is being expanded to suit practical applications: KEGG DRUG contains all approved drugs in the US and Japan, and KEGG DISEASE is a new database linking disease genes, pathways, drugs, and diagnostic markers, broadening KEGG's usefulness for pharmacology and medicine.