FlyBase:Gene Snapshots

What is a Gene Snapshot?

A Gene Snapshot is a short summary designed to provide a quick overview of the function of a gene's product(s). It is based on key points solicited from expert researchers, and revised by FlyBase curators. Each Snapshot is associated with a review date, and cases that are in progress or are deemed to have insufficient data to summarize are stated as such.

In order to produce the Snapshots, an automated algorithm was designed to select experts on the different genes, and these authors were contacted and asked to provide a couple of sentences/bullet points describing 1) how the protein functions, 2) what pathway it is in (if relevant), and 3) its main biological roles, preferably using terms suitable for a general, non-Drosophilist audience. These key points were then revised by FlyBase curators for consistency in length and format.

Where to find the Snapshots

The Snapshots appear at the top of each Gene Report to directly provide a big picture of the gene’s function and are also downloadable in bulk via our Batch Download tool or from our list of precomputed files

How to contribute

All we need from you is a couple of sentences/bullet points for this gene describing 1) how the protein functions, 2) what pathway it is in (if relevant) and 3) what are its main biological roles, preferably using terms suitable for a general, non-Drosophilist audience. Here is an example:

nervy (nvy) is a member of the MTG family of genes that have both nuclear and cytosolic functions. nvy encodes a transcriptional repressor and an A kinase anchoring protein (AKAP). It regulates repulsive axon guidance and functions in Plexin and Notch signaling pathways.'

For those genes currently lacking a gene snapshot, FlyBase welcomes contributions through our online form. Feedback on existing Gene Snapshots can be made by clicking on the Contact FlyBase link (also accessible from the bottom of every FlyBase page) and selecting the Gene Snapshots option.

Current contributors

Here you can find a list of all those who contributed with their expert knowledge toward gene snapshots.

Video Tutorial

For more information, please take a look at our video tutorial about Gene Snapshots on the FlyBase TV YouTube channel: Gene Snapshots in FlyBase.