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¹ Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany

We discuss technical means by which the complexity of gene and protein signalling cascades can be projected onto the complex structure of the mammalian brain. We argue that this requires both robotics and novel computational tools to register images of gene expression, annotate expression patterns and quantify gene expression. When sufficiently enriched and detailed, such gene expression/neuroanatomical atlases are hypothesis-generating tools and contain in themselves much of the information needed to investigate function in normal and genetically or otherwise modified brains. To be successful and useful, data-rich and comprehensive gene expression/neuroanatomical atlases have to be web accessible and structured in a way that allows the application of data exploration and mining tools.

(Received 3 May 2006; accepted after revision 4 July 2006; first published online 6 July 2006)
Corresponding author G. Eichele: Max Planck Institute of Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. Email: gregor.eichele{at}mpihan.mpg.de

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