FlyBase is pleased to announce the GAL4 etc QuickSearch tab. This tool allows FlyBase users to search by expression pattern for GAL4 drivers, as well as for the binary drivers QF and LexA, and the nonbinary reporters lacZ and GFP.

To conduct a search using this tab, first choose a driver or reporter, then choose the developmental stage, anatomy or cell type, and/or cellular component you’d like that driver to be expressed in. FlyBase curates expression patterns using developmental, anatomy, and GO cellular component controlled vocabularies; an auto-completion function will assist you in finding an appropriate controlled vocabulary term. For more detailed help, just click the question mark icon on the tab.

The GAL4 etc tab has a customized hitlist: the Integrated Table. This hitlist is designed to show the connection between particular alleles, insertions, constructs, and stocks. This hitlist also displays the controlled vocabulary terms that triggered each hit. The FlyBase 2.0 version of this tool allows you to choose an output format: Integrated Table or List. The List output provides a faceted hitlist consisting of alleles, insertions, transgenic constructs, and stocks, and allows conversion to a downloadable spreadsheet.

We plan to enhance the GAL4 etc tab with more features in the near future, including allowing searches for drivers/reporters that reflect expression of a specific gene, or by other identifiers.

We welcome feedback on this this new tab via the Contact FlyBase Form.