AMSTERDAM, January 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Application helps researchers utilize bioinformatics tools

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the availability of the OpenHelix Tutorial Suites application on SciVerse Applications. Created by OpenHelix, the application enables users to view online tutorials of many of the genomics resources and tools used or cited in an article on SciVerse ScienceDirect.

The application brings tutorial content within the context of the user and seamlessly enables the user to move from literature research to additional learning. OpenHelix provides tutorials for a number of topics such as genome databases, text mining tools and bioinformatics resources.

"Genomics and bioinformatics tools are increasingly becoming a critical part of the research process, but they are often complex and difficult to use," said Scott Lathe, CEO of OpenHelix. "The OpenHelix Tutorial Suites app for ScienceDirect will improve the speed and success of research by providing researchers with immediate access to training on these resources when they need it most-while they are reading research articles."

"The OpenHelix Tutorial Suites application illustrates how organizations can leverage the SciVerse platform to develop innovative applications that enhance research workflow," said Rafael Sidi, Vice President Application Marketplace and Developer Network at Elsevier. "Our collaboration with OpenHelix exemplifies the tools for science that can result when meaningful relationships are fostered within the scientific community."

The application includes an online narrated tutorial that demonstrates the basic features and functionality needed to use the resources.  The approximately 60-minute tutorial, which runs in almost every browser, can be viewed from beginning to end or navigated using chapters and forward and backward sliders. In addition to the online tutorial, users can also access useful training and teaching materials including the animated PowerPoint slides used as a basis for the tutorial, suggested script for the slides, slide handouts, and exercises.

The OpenHelix Tutorial Suites application provides quick and convenient access to the over 100 OpenHelix tutorial suites, some of which are freely available for the app users. The other tutorial suites are available for the app users through purchase of the OpenHelix Tutorial Suites Premium app (not free). For existing OpenHelix subscribers all the tutorial suites are freely available through the OpenHelix Tutorial Suite application.

Jennifer Williams, PhD, Senior Scientist at OpenHelix, will be presenting the OpenHelix Tutorial Suites application, as well as additional apps developed by OpenHelix for the Elsevier platform, at ScienceOnline Friday, January 20, at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States; 3:15 - 3:30pm (EST) in Room 8.

SciVerse Applications and the Developer Network provide opportunities for researchers and librarians to collaborate with developers in creating and promoting new applications that improve research workflows. The Developer Network features a growing community of application developers that gain potential recognition, prestige and revenue through their contributions to SciVerse Applications.

About OpenHelix

OpenHelix, LLC, empowers more effective research by training users to more effectively and efficiently use relevant bioinformatics and genomics databases and tools. OpenHelix provides over 100 online self-run tutorials, over 200 five minute tips, web seminars, and on-site training for institutions and companies on the most powerful and popular free, web based, publicly accessible bioinformatics resources. In addition, OpenHelix also is contracted by resource providers to provide comprehensive, long-term training and outreach programs. More efficient use of the most relevant resources means quicker and more effective research.

OpenHelix has its headquarters in Seattle, with offices in San Francisco and Boston. Further information can be found on http://www.openhelix.com or by calling +1 888 861 5051.

About the Elsevier SciVerse Suite

The SciVerse^® suite of search and discovery offerings provides the global research community access to a constantly expanding universe of content and solutions which can now be accessed in one platform. The suite currently includes SciVerse ScienceDirect^®, the world's largest source of peer-reviewed content containing more than 10 million articles, and SciVerse Scopus^®, an abstract and citation database containing 41 million records, 70% with abstracts and nearly 19,500 titles from 5,000 publishers worldwide. The platform also includes SciVerse Hub which enables researchers to perform a single search across all of the SciVerse content as well as targeted web content with results ranked by relevancy and without duplication. Applications and Developer Network allow the scientific community to build, find and use applications that enhance the SciVerse research experience.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. The company works in partnership with the global science and health communities to publish more than 2,000 journals, including The Lancet and Cell, and close to 20,000 book titles, including major reference works from Mosby and Saunders. Elsevier's online solutions include SciVerse^® ScienceDirect^®, SciVerse^® Scopus^®, Reaxys^®, MD Consult and Nursing Consult, which enhance the productivity of science and health professionals, and the SciVal^® suite and MEDai's Pinpoint Review, which help research and health care institutions deliver better outcomes more cost-effectively.

A global business headquartered in Amsterdam, Elsevier employs 7,000 people worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group PLC, a world-leading publisher and information provider, which is jointly owned by Reed Elsevier PLC and Reed Elsevier NV. The ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).

Media contact
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SOURCE Elsevier