Navigating the database

Visitors can browse through the images using the gene list icon located in page headings above. The gene list can be alphabetized according to Genbank accession #, Gene Identification and Description, or by the official Gene symbol in order from A-Z or Z-A. Specific genes can be identified using the search icon located in the headings. Visitors can search for specific genes, spatial and temporal expression patterns, keywords, chromosomal location, and gene ontology terms. Individual accounts can be established free of charge that allow account holders to save collected images for future visits to the website.

Viewing images in the Database

There are several ways to view the images.

1. The entire set of thumbnail size images for each gene can be browsed on the main gene page
2. A single darkfield image can be viewed side-by-side with nearest reference cresyl violet stained section
3. A large image can be viewed on the monitor or downloaded as a high resolution photographic quality image (300 dpi) image at 5.5x3.607 inches.
4. Selected images can be saved to a gene expression viewer that allows side-by-side comparison of expression patterns.

Genes in the Database

The genes represented in this database are members of a variety of gene families with wide distribution in gene ontology and chromosomal location. Many genes were selected by a broad panel of neuroscience experts in the fields of Development, Neurodegeneration, Receptors/Channels and Cognitive Neuroscience based on their interest to the research community. In addition, many genes in the database have no known function in the nervous system, or are completely uncharacterized. We have included these uncharacterized genes to facilitate new discoveries and to stimulate novel research directions in neurobiology. We found that 65% of the genes in the database, regardless of their origin, display a “patterned” distribution of mRNA in either the temporal or spatial dimension. We are continually adding new genes to the database with the ultimate goal of representing the majority of genes that are expressed in the developing and adult brain.