ZFIN: enhancements and updates to the zebrafish model organism database

TLDR

ZFIN is the central web‑based repository for zebrafish genetic, genomic, phenotypic, and developmental data. The paper outlines recent enhancements to ZFIN, including improved image access, genomic features, a genome browser, transcript data, antibodies, and a community wiki. ZFIN achieves this through manual curation of genes, phenotypes, genotypes, expression, antibodies, anatomy, and publications, integrating data from literature, laboratories, and bioinformatics partners, and providing web‑based search tools, diverse data formats, daily updates, and frequent software upgrades.

Abstract

ZFIN, the Zebrafish Model Organism Database, http://zfin.org , serves as the central repository and web-based resource for zebrafish genetic, genomic, phenotypic and developmental data. ZFIN manually curates comprehensive data for zebrafish genes, phenotypes, genotypes, gene expression, antibodies, anatomical structures and publications. A wide-ranging collection of web-based search forms and tools facilitates access to integrated views of these data promoting analysis and scientific discovery. Data represented in ZFIN are derived from three primary sources: curation of zebrafish publications, individual research laboratories and collaborations with bioinformatics organizations. Data formats include text, images and graphical representations. ZFIN is a dynamic resource with data added daily as part of our ongoing curation process. Software updates are frequent. Here, we describe recent additions to ZFIN including (i) enhanced access to images, (ii) genomic features, (iii) genome browser, (iv) transcripts, (v) antibodies and (vi) a community wiki for protocols and antibodies.