Mouse Tumor Biology Database (MTB): status update and future directions

Area of Science:

• * Genomics and Bioinformatics
• * Cancer Research
• * Mouse Models in Biology

Background:

• * The Mouse Tumor Biology (MTB) database aggregates data on naturally occurring tumors in genetically diverse mouse models.
• * It includes information on tumor frequency, latency, pathology, genomic alterations, and strain backgrounds.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To provide researchers with a centralized, searchable repository of mouse tumor data.
• * To facilitate the study of cancer development and progression in various mouse models.

Main Methods:

• * Data curation from primary literature and direct researcher submissions.
• * Integration of controlled vocabularies and standardized nomenclature for searchable data.
• * Redesign of the database infrastructure using a robust relational database management system (RDMS).

Main Results:

• * Redesigned web interface with an advanced query form and enhanced search capabilities.
• * Revised Tumor Frequency Grid for interactive tumor incidence overviews across mouse strains.
• * Implementation of a new pathology data submission tool for user data management.

Conclusions:

• * The redesigned MTB database offers improved accessibility and searchability for mouse tumor data.
• * Enhanced features support comprehensive research into spontaneous and induced mouse tumors.
• * The MTB database serves as a critical resource for advancing cancer research using mouse models.