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Data
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Electronic atlas of fetal brain gene expression
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The long term aim of this work is to create an Electronic Atlas of the Developing Human Brain (EADHB), encompassing both anatomy and gene expression patterns at each stage.
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The human brain develops from a simple tube into a highly complex three-dimensional structure with many intricate connecting networks. The adult structures and their connections are crucial to the functioning of the brain and indeed, the nervous system in general. Because of our unique cognitive capacities, it is difficult to extrapolate from commonly used animal models, most notably the mouse. Knowledge of the human brain during early stages of development is important as it will help us to understand the processes leading to adult brain formation and the relationships and connections amongst its many structures. Additionally, it will provide a framework for understanding abnormalities of brain development which are common and can be severe.
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Until recently, knowledge of the developing human brain has been largely limited to standard anatomical landmarks. Gene expression patterns can provide molecular anatomical landmarks which will help to identify and define sub-anatomical regions of the developing brain in greater detail. Studying gene expression patterns over time will help to understand the roles of individual genes during normal development and in disease. Clearly this involves the generation, storage and analysis of vast quantities of data, much of which is in image form and ideally capable of being related to the large amounts of data being generated during studies of brain development in other species.
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