The extensive nature of the project required complete expertise of the participating companies. The contentXXL shop module had to, for example, be aligned to the special requirements of the gene design platform. The whole system had to be tethered to Mr. Gene’s own Web services, which makes complex bio-technological building blocks out of simple strings. The user of the website has, therefore, the option to check and adapt the chain he entered using an integrated optimiser. Furthermore, an AJAX system is available.
The first B2B-Platform for gene design and ordering of synthetic DNA, Mr. Gene (www.mrgene.com) has gone online with the Business Content Management System (CMS) contentXXL. Almost any gene sequence for research and development can be entered into the website and ordered through a multi-stage process. The lead agency for this extensive project was the Munich-based Creative Development Internet agency, while the technical implementation was carried out by contentXXL solutions partner Xparo GmbH from Nuremberg. The project necessitated comprehensive modifications and integration with third-party systems. This caused no problem for contentXXL partner Xparo, due to the well documented standard programming interfaces (Application Programming Interface or API). The contentXXL shop module had to be aligned to the special needs of the gene design platform and a link was created to Mr. Gene’s own Web services for complex bio-technological calculations, such as the extension of an AJAX system.
The principle, in reality, is quite simple: the four building blocks of DNA – adenine, guanine, thymine, and cytosine – can be assembled in a long string of countless possible combinations. Alone, the arrangement of the abbreviated A, G, T and C building blocks determines the result. Mr. Gene has created a Web shop using this amazingly simple and, at the same time, highly complex principle, where scientists from research and industry can order tailor-made gene sequences, for example, for protein production.
Concept, design and usability guidelines were designed by the Munich Internet agency Creative Development who supervised the project as the lead agency. The fully Microsoft.NET based Business Content Management System contentXXL was chosen to implement the website. The technical realisation and specific alignments were conducted by contentXXL solutions partner Xparo.
Fig.: Mr. Gene is a successful fustion of contentXXL, Mr. Gene's own web services and AJAX
Security is a matter of great importance in this project. All orders placed with Mr. Gene are thoroughly examined twice for possible risks. The standard examination of every gene sequence ordered and each purchaser ensures that no potentially dangerous gene will be delivered. Additionally, certain countries are blocked as delivery destinations.
Xparo GmbH, who was responsible for the technical side of the project, had no problem with this and yet additional adjustments and extensions, because contentXXL offers by default very well documented standard programming interfaces, which are independent of the release version.
The project is for both the lead agency Creative Development as well as for Xparo and contentXXL International a real highlight in the growing area of biotechnology. The website will be expanded in segments.
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About Xparo GmbH
Xparo key competence is development and integration of customer and project specific software solutions for business processes and Web portals.
The company has special competence in the area of .NET technology: Internet, intranet and extranet solutions, customizing of standard software, development of special software modules, integration of distributed web applications as well as software porting on Microsoft .NET technology.
Further information can be found at www.xparo.com.