Details

XSPAN aims to develop a distributed, XML-based software system which facilitates a core level of interoperability across different anatomy databases. A set of tools allows easy integration of existing anatomy databases into the new system and provides query facilities across them.

The development and implementation of a set of heuristic rules aids biologists in translating anatomical terms from one species to another. This results in a translation database that gives names of equivalent tissues in embryos of different species.

Graphic showing the prototype XSPAN system.

A set of programmatic interfaces enable other projects to develop software to inter-operate between XSPAN and other genomics and proteomics resources on the internet.

The project is prototyping a formal ontology for cross-species anatomy that incorporates generalised anatomical concepts and property information. As it will also enable links to existing anatomy databases, its integrated into XSPAN, will enhancing the level of interoperability (including precision, consistency and maintainability) between anatomical databases.