The interactive web-based histology atlas system

Molecular pathways and mechanisms underlying human cancer are frequently in vestigated in animal models. Studies to identify and dissect molecular path ways include the discovery of genes and their subsequent analysis in transg enic and 'knock-out' mice. A critical aspect in such investigations is the evaluation of organ integrity and histology upon the alteration or inactiva tion of specific genes. Results from such studies are usually published in scientific journals. However, due to print space and costs the display of l arge high quality images is limited, Furthermore, the printed media does no t permit an easy comparison of histological images published in different j ournals and different years; The Internet provides a tool for the timely an d inexpensive dissemination of scientific data to the research community. H owever, its potential for the analysis of histological images has not been explored. Here we present a web-based interactive histology atlas (http://h istology,nih,gov) that permits the retrieval of annotated, high-resolution histology images via the Internet, This histology atlas also takes advantag e of the interactive nature of the Internet to support the communication be tween different research groups. As an outline forum this atlas provides th e framework to evaluate and understand cancer pathology, and to develop a c onsensus between veterinary and human pathologists.