Cancer research databases

Mouse Tumor Biology Database (MTB)

The Mouse Tumor Biology (MTB) database, constructed and maintained under the direction of Jackson Laboratory scientists Drs. Janan Eppig and Carol Bult, provides valuable information to researchers who use the mouse as a model of hereditary cancer. The data in MTB come from two primary sources: manual curation of relevant scientific literature and direct contributions from researchers. MTB curators extract information mostly from studies that use mouse models for cancers that, according to the National Cancer Institute, have the highest rates of mortality in humans. The MTB provides electronic access to:

  • information on endogenous spontaneous and induced tumors in mice, including tumor frequency and latency data;
  • information on genetically defined mice (inbred, hybrid, mutant, and genetically engineered strains of mice) in which tumors arise;
  • information on genetic factors associated with tumor susceptibility in mice and somatic and genetic-mutations
    observed in the tumors;
  • tumor pathology reports and images;
  • references, supporting MTB data; and
  • links to other online resources for cancer research.

At the site, researchers can search for tumors by tissue type, tumor type, and mouse strains in which they occur; they can search for specific genes, alleles, and transgenes in particular mouse strains and for somatic and genetic changes found in tumors; they can search for images of tumor pathology by tissues and organs of origin, tissues and organs affected, mouse strain, diagnosis and description, staining method, and antibody. A popular section of the MTB, pioneered by Jackson Laboratory scientist Dr. Sundberg and his colleagues, details how several hundred antibodies can be used for immunohistochemistry.

Mouse Phenome Database

The Mouse Phenome Database (MPD), maintained at The Jackson Laboratory, houses and makes publicly available baseline phenotypic data for a set of 36 of the most commonly used and genetically diverse inbred mouse strains. The data are characterized by strain and sex. Investigators may download protocols and either raw or summary data, and analyze data using MPD tools. The MPD currently contains data on the susceptibility of various Mouse Phenome Project (MPP) strains to metastatic progression of a mammary tumor; it will soon include data on the susceptibility of various MPP strains to BCR-ABL-induced chronic myeloid leukemia, and susceptibility of various MPP strains to azoxymethane-induced colorectal cancer. The MPD is linked with the Mouse Genome Database (MGD) and other relevant and publicly accessible databases.