MOTIVATION: Studying the genetic makeup of viruses and phages through genome analysis is crucial for comprehending their function in causing diseases, progressing medicine, tracing their evolutionary history, monitoring the environment, and creating innovative biotechnologies. However, accessing the necessary data can be challenging due to a lack of dedicated comparative genomic tools and viral and phage databases, which are often outdated. Moreover, many wet bench experimentalists may not have the computational proficiency required to manipulate large amounts of genomic data. RESULTS: We have developed VAPEX (Virus And Phage EXplorer), a web server which is supported by a database and features a user-friendly web interface. This tool enables users to easily perform various genomic analysis queries on all natural viruses and phages that have been fully sequenced and are listed in the NCBI compendium. VAPEX therefore excels in producing visual depictions of fully resolved synteny maps, which is one of its key strengths. VAPEX has the ability to exhibit a vast array of orthologous gene classes simultaneously through the use of symbolic representation. Additionally, VAPEX can fully analyze user-submitted viral and phage genomes, including those that have not yet been annotated. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: VAPEX can be accessed from all current web browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari, and Opera. VAPEX is freely accessible at https://archaea.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/vapex/.

MOTIVATION: The retrieval of a single gene sequence and context from completely sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes constitutes an intimidating task for the wet bench biologist. Existing web-based genome browsers are either too complex for routine use or only provide a subset of the available prokaryotic genomes. RESULTS: We have developed BAGET 2.0 (Bacterial and Archaeal Gene Exploration Tool), an updated web service granting access in just three mouse clicks to the sequence and synteny of any gene from completely sequenced bacteria and archaea. User-provided annotated genomes can be processed as well. BAGET 2.0 relies on a local database updated on a daily basis. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: BAGET 2.0 befits all current browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera and Safari. Internet Explorer 11 is supported. BAGET 2.0 is freely accessible at https://archaea.i2bc.paris-saclay.fr/baget/.