The integration of computer technology into research is a continually evolving process. There are many different areas of computer technology. The two main areas that will be discussed here are computer software and databases. Both computer software and databases have multiple languages from which to choose when implementing these technologies. In the current project, the languages used for computer software were the programming language Java and the scripting language PHP. The software package used for the database was MySQL. The program written in Java was a Graphical User Interface (G.U.I.) used to visualize files formatted in the CAP3 format. The PHP script was used to create a website. The website was created to be the interface for connecting to and working with the database. MySQL was used to create the database for the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) Host Genomic Consortium. This database was designed to hold data generated by the Big Pig Project as well as data that will be generated by a new project. Because the data from the Big Pig Project are housed in one database, it is relatively easier to create the file used for statistical analysis. Analysis was done on viral and cytokine, interleukin (IL) 8, IL1b, and interferon gamma (IFNγ) levels and persistence of the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome virus (PRRSv). Results from this analysis indicate that the interaction of cytokines together have an effect on persistency of viral infection or vice versa. Further analysis of the data indicated that swine leukocyte antigen (SLA) genes were associated with cytokine (IL8, IL1b, and IFNγ) response in swine to infection with the PRRS virus. These analyses and results represent an example of using databases and computer software. Computer technology and research will continue to evolve and the integration of both will continue to grow and become a major component of research and allow for new, inventive ways to study and analyze data.
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