The difference between expression pattern and expression cluster data in WormBase

Chris Grove explains how expression pattern data differs from expression cluster data in WormBase: It’s important to understand that we have two avenues of gene expression curation at WormBase: one for individual gene expression pattern evaluation (e.g. using expression reporters like GFP or by performing an in situ hybridization of mRNA) which get captured in our “Expression Pattern” database objects (the “Expr_pattern” class) and a second avenue for larger scale (e.g. genome-wide) analyses of gene expression (e.g. RNA-Seq or microarray analyses) under certain conditions or in certain cells (or in certain life stages) which get captured in our “Expression Cluster” database objects (the “Expression_cluster” class). In “Expression Pattern” annotations, genes may be associated with an anatomy term via a qualifier which can be one of three terms: Certain, Uncertain, or Partial. If authors declare that a gene is clearly and specifically expressed in a particular anatomical object, we flag it as “Certain”. If authors state that a gene might be expressed in a particular anatomical object, we flag it as “Uncertain”. If authors state that a gene is expressed in part of (or in a subset of) a particular anatomical object, we flag it as “Partial”. In “Expression Cluster” annotations, genes may be associated with an anatomy term via a qualifier which can be one of th...
Source: WormBase - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: brief communication news expression data Source Type: news