FlyBase:Author Guidelines

Here, we list some guidelines that would greatly aid our curation of your papers. Where followed, they will increase not only the number of papers we can curate, but also the accuracy of our curation, so improving our service. Moreover, following these guidelines will enable the readers of your articles to easily and unambiguously identify the specific genes and genetic reagents you refer to and use.

Use unique identifiers

• It is helpful if you state somewhere in your paper (for example, in parentheses upon its first mention in the text) the FlyBase valid symbol, annotation ID, or FlyBase identifier (FBid) for the genes to which you refer. For example, when discussing the gene 'chpd', state that it is known in FlyBase as amn, CG11937 or FBgn0000076.
• FlyBase also gives unique valid symbols and FBid's to all other genetic objects. These include: alleles (e.g. amn[1], FBal0000500), aberrations (e.g. Df(2L)BSC4, FBab0029533), transgenic constructs (e.g. P{UAS-dpp.S}, FBtp0011928) and transgenic insertions (e.g. P{UAS-dpp.S}42B.4, FBti0001019). We also recommend that you use or mention the valid FlyBase symbol or FBid when using or referring to such genetic reagents - the Materials and Methods section is an ideal place to do this.
• FBid's are found within the General Information section at the top of all report pages in FlyBase.
• You need only tell us once the valid FlyBase symbol or FBid that represents each object you discuss in your paper. Any symbol/name used by you that is not a valid FlyBase symbol/name is stored as a synonym, so that anyone searching FlyBase using your symbol will still find it.

Be explicit

• Sometimes, it can be difficult for us to decide whether a reagent (allele, construct, etc.) described in a paper is "new" or has been previously published. If it is new, please be explicit in stating this. (In these cases, a valid FlyBase symbol and FBid will be assigned post-publication during curation and processing by FlyBase.)
• If you characterise a gene, and identify a CG annotation that belongs to that gene, state this explicitly in the text of the paper so we can attribute the identification to you.

Be complete

• When describing insertions, for example, the identity of the transgenic construct is important. "A previously unpublished insertion of P{lArB} into 27C" is much more informative than "an enhancer trap insertion on the second chromosome".
• For new transgene constructs the name of the transformation vector used (e.g. pUAST), the selectable marker used, and the relationship to previously published constructs are particularly useful pieces of information for us.

We hope you find these guidelines useful. If you are unsure about which symbol/FBid corresponds to your gene, allele or construct (etc), or what symbol/name would be appropriate for a new genetic object you describe, we would be delighted to help you as you put your manuscript together, prior to publication. Our nomenclature document gives general guidelines, but don't hesitate to contact us if you have any further questions.

Best regards,

the FlyBase literature curators.