On Sept. 26, 2006, the Allen Institute for Brain Science announced the completion of the groundbreaking Allen Brain Atlas, a Webbased, three-dimensional map of gene expression in the mouse brain. Detailing more than 21,000 genes at the cellular level, the Atlas provides scientists with a level of data previously not available.

Since humans share more than 90 percent of their genes with mice, the Atlas offers profound opportunity to further understanding of human disorders and diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, schizophrenia, autism and addiction. About 26 percent of American adults – close to 58 million people – suffer from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year.

Publicly available at no cost, the map shows which genes are active – or “expressed” – within the brain and which regions and cells they are expressed in, thereby linking them to particular brain functions.

Going forward, the Institute will shift its focus to human research in order to answer critical questions about human brain disorders and diseases. It will seek opportunities to collaborate with scientists on research programs, offering its state-of-the-art equipment, technological capacity and a 32,000-square foot facility.

Allen Institute is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization dedicated to accelerating science for a healthier world. Through large-scale, multidisciplinary research initiatives, the Institute generates foundational knowledge, data, tools, and models that are shared openly with the world to advance our understanding of life and health. Founded by Jody Allen and the late Paul G. Allen, Allen Institute is supported primarily by Fund for Science and Technology.