Given the amino acid sequence mentioned in the “Objective” section of this webpage, the first step was to go to the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) webpage, click on the BLAST link and finally the Protein-Protein Blast link. Clicking on the latter allows the individual to input the amino acid sequence and search the database for any proteins associated with the sequence. Clicking “Blast!” launches the search query.

Clicking “Format” then yields the search results. For the specific amino acid sequence given, the results pointed to Homo sapien Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT).

The search results provide values for possible matches. Two such values are given: an S (score) value and an e value. A high S value means a better match. On the other hand, a low e value means a better match.

After a protein has been identified, specific information such as the full sequence, structure, and the gene which is associated with it can be determined. Clicking on “Links” and then Nucleotide provides the relevant information for the gene, including introns, exons, and promoter regions. Accession number AH007699 provided the full sequence. The specifics are covered in the "Gene" section.

The MMDB (Molecular Modeling Database) provided a related structure of the TERT protein, that of the N-terminal (TEN) domain of Tetrahymena thermophila, a ciliated protozoan, since no structures of the human TERT protein were found. In order to view the structure in various confirmations (“worms,” “tubes, ” “ball and stick” etc.), the Cn3D software was needed. More information is available on the “Protein” page.

Information such as protein function and associated diseases were found on the PubMed database. The link to this database is conveniently located at the top of every page in the NCBI database. WebMD also provided some background information.