The Mouse Atlas is currently using Object Design's products for the database management system. We also use CORBA to allow access to the databases. All interactive interfaces to the databases are built using Java 1.1.5 minimum and the swing classes for the interface components.

Current Status

We are building a large database comprising 3 logical sets of data:

Anatomy:

This is done and the data is available online on the database page. The database comprises a set of anatomical components organised in temporal hierarchies with additional information (currently synonyms, some obvious lineage information). The new interface looks like this:

click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

3D reconstructions:

The schema for the 3D images is now complete and allows for the storage of 2D and 3D images natively. The 3D images are both grey level images and the delineated anatomy domains. Since the painted domains were painted in the context of the grey level image, it is possible to know to which anatomical component each voxel is assigned. we have a Java based interface to browse the 3d reconstructions. The interface looks like this:

click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

Gene expression data:

Our current development is on an Java/CORBA based interface which will let users input gene-expression data both text and 3d images into the database. A prototype java application exists and further work is now in progress to convert this application to an applet. Here are a few snapshots of the submission interface.

click on the thumbnail for a larger image.

Object design

Object Design home page.

JavaSoft

the Java language home page.