Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI) Resources for Pathology and Toxicology

Abstract

INTRODUCTION TO MGI The Mouse Genome Informatics (MGI, 〈http://www. informatics.jax.org〉) web site supports the use of mouse as a model system. Of particular interest to toxicologists and pathologists are detailed descriptions of phenotypes for mice carrying mutations on specific genetic backgrounds, the human diseases for which these mice are models, information on the incidence and frequency of tumors in inbred and genetically engineered mice, and core data on gene characterization, gene function, and gene expression. Images of gene expression, phenotypes, and tumors (with diagnoses) are also provided. There are many ways to access MGI data. First, each web page includes a quick Search Box where a word or partial word is entered and the type of data to be searched is specified. Second, query forms allow users to ask complex questions that involve multiple parameters and multiple types of data. Third, MGI generates specific data files for download and analysis. Integrated searches are enabled through use of structured vocabularies (ontologies) for anatomy, gene function (GO), phenotypes, tumor names, and disease terms; and by adherence to international nomenclature standards. Data in MGI are updated continuously through semiautomated loads, curation of the primary scientific literature, and data submissions from the scientific community. All MGI resources described below are accessible from 〈http://www.informatics.jax.org〉.