The Mouse Atlas Project (MAP) aims to develop a dynamic, probabilistic atlas of the adult and developing C57BL/6J mouse.
The framework, in the form of a digital atlas of the C57BL/6J mouse brain, is composed of volumes of data acquired from uMRI, blockface imaging, histology, and immunohistochemistry and a set of visualization, database, mapping and measurement tools. Users can import their own data into the atlas and use the same tools to visualize, compare and measure domains of gene expression in normal, gene-targeted knock-out, or transgenic mice.
Mouse Atlas Project
The MAP atlas describes the mouse central nervous system in detail within a well-defined coordinate system. It also details the morphological variability across subjects within this strain as well as across maturational stages from in utero to adult. The data is comprised of in vivo and post mortem images.
We are currently in the process of developing and validating the tools necessary to visualize, measure, spatially normalize (deformation correct) and map gene expression. In addition to these design-driven goals, we are testing several hypotheses using the aforementioned atlas and tools. The product of this effort is an atlas system for the C57BL/6J mouse, tools for using the atlas system, and evidence that enables the study of the linkage between brain mapping and gene mapping.
