G2Cdb - How to Browse the Database

The database is highly inter-connected, reflecting the need to integrate information from the many different areas of neuroscience research. As a general rule, field headings act as links to the documentation for that field. The field contents also act as links. IDs such as Ensembl IDs link to the database in question, so clicking on an Ensembl ID takes you to the Ensembl readout for that ID. The majority of the other data link to search pages: for example, if a gene is a member of the NRC, clicking on that datapoint brings up a list of the genes that belong to the NRC.

The default method of viewing the database is to browse lists of genes. By using the pre-defined searches, it is possible to bring up specific lists of genes, for example all the genes for which we have data regarding their effects on plasticity. Selecting a gene brings up a summary readout for that gene, including the known IDs, proteomics data and (where it is available) summaries of plasticity and human disease information.

The plasticity data can be viewed at two levels: a schematic summary, and a more detailed description of the experimental procedures used. The readout for an individual gene gives the summarised version. Here, the plasticity effects are defined by the brain tissue studied, the type of mutation used and the effect produced (for example, 'reduced LTP'). By clicking on an individual datapoint, you can drill down to the original reference and (where it is available) detailed curation of the experimental procedures.

For instance, you may be interested in studies of plasticity in NR1 knockout mice. You can simply find NR1 in the complete list of genes, but it is quicker to browse the list of genes studied for plasticity. Clicking on NR1 will bring up the readout, giving you the IDs, proteomic information, a summary of the plasticity studies and a listing of human disease studies. If you are particularly interested by a particular plasticity result (there is, for example, one report of a knockout mutation resulting in decreased LTP in the CA3-CA1 schaffer collateral-commissural region of the hippocampus), clicking on it will bring up the original reference. You can go straight to PubMed and get the paper, or by clicking on the Experiment Number you can bring up a detailed breakdown of the study. This includes details of the culture and stimulation protocols used, the raw data and information on any additional experiments.