NIF Data Federation
The NIF Data Federation provides the ability to drill down into individual databases and data sets and return relevant content. This type of content, part of the so called “hidden Web,” is typically not indexed by existing web search engines.
In order for NIF to directly query these independently maintained databases and datasets, database providers must register their database or dataset with the NIF Data Federation and specify permissions. Learn more about registering your resource.
NIF simultaneously queries all the federated databases and datasets through its search interface. The results are displayed under the Data Federation tab and are categorized by data type and nervous system level. In this way, users can easily step through the content of multiple resources, all from the same interface.
Each federated resource individually displays their query results with links back to the relevant datasets within the host resource. This allows users to take advantage of additional views on the data and tools that are available through the host database. The NIF site provides tutorials for each resource, indicated by the "Professor Icon"
showing users how to navigate the results page once directed there through the NIF. Additionally, query results may be exported as an Excel document.
The current NIF database federation consists of 58 databases:
- Addgene: Online database of plasmids to sell and distribute
- Aging Gene Database: Database of genes and interventions linked to aging
- Allen Brain Atlas: Gene expression data
- AntibodyTable: A compilation of data submitted from most antibody vendors to Labome (aka ExactAntigen) and BioCompare
- BAMS: Brain region atlas structure and hierarchy
- BAMS Connections: Brain connectivity atlas structure and hierarchy
- BMI Platform: Digital archive of BMI (Brain Machine Interfaces)-related experimental data, mathematical models, and tools generated in neuroscience, computational theory, and robotics
- Brain Gene Expression: A view into three very large databases that all contain data about gene expression in brain regions
- BrainInfo: General information about brain structures
- BrainMaps: Interactive online atlas of multiresolution scanned images with information on brain structure and function
- Brede: Database of functional neuroimaging scientific articles with Talairach coordinates
- Cell Centered Database: Microscopy datasets from light and electron microscopy
- Cerebellar Platform: Digital archive of mini-reviews, papers, and mathematical models for cerebellar research
- Chemoreceptors: ORDB database of chemosensory receptors and associated information
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Online database of both recruiting and completed clinical trials
- CoCoMac: Online database of tracing studies and original descriptions for monkey, mostly Macaque brain connectivity
- ConnectomeWIKI: Knowledge base for macro- and mesoscale brain region and brain connectivity information across species
- CRCNS datasets: Datasets available to the modeling community through the CRCNS program
- Drugbank: Information on drugs
- DrugDependentGene Database: Online database of resources relevant to drug abuse research
- ExactAntigen: Antibody provider
- GAS: an alphabetic listing of software for the gene-mapping community.
- Gemma: Online database and software system for the meta-analysis of gene expression data
- GeneNetwork: Large array of linked resources and analysis tools for system genetics
- GENSAT: Imaging and gene expression data from BAC transgenic mice
- GENSAT Retina Project: Online database of confocal stacks to freely download and view using ImageJ or the LSM Image Browser from Zeiss
- Grants: Grant information on public and private foundations provided by Research Crossroads
- HomoloGene: Online system for automated detection of homologs among the annotated genes
- IBVD: Online database of brain neuroanatomic volumetric observations
- IMSR: Online database of mouse strains and stocks
- Ki: Datasbase of Ki (affinity) values and related papers
- MGI: Comprehensive collection of genomic and associated data on mouse strains
- MichiganAtlas: Human brain atlas with matching cell stained and MRI sections
- Microarray Consortium: Online database of publicly available microarray data sets
- ModelDB: Database of downloadable neuroscience-related models
- Nervous System Connectivity: A view into 4 major connectivity databases including CoCoMac, BAMS, temporal-lobe.com and ConnectomeWIKI
- Neurodatabase: Electrophysiological data of mainly single and multiple unit activity experiments
- Neurofed: Contact information for federal employees at NIH, NSF, and military institutes involved in funding neuroscience research
- NeuroMab: Monoclonal antibody provider
- NeuroMorpho.org: Neuronal reconstructions
- NeuronDB: Cellular properties of major neuronal classes
- NHGRI: National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is a resource that maintains a list of rare genetic diseases and provides a set of answers for each disease
- NIH RePORTER: Online database of funded grants from NIH institutes
- NINDS: List of neurological diseases and disorders
- NITRC tool registry: Software tools for neuroimaging
- OASIS/XNAT: Set of human MRI images of different ages, clinical dementia ratings, and handedness
- OdorMapDB: Database of brain activation foci within the olfactory bulb
- ORDB: a database of chemosensory receptors and associated information
- Rat Genome Database: Database of genetic information, including functional data, disease data, expression data and chromosome location data
- RGD Rat Strain Reports: A comprehensive description of strain origin, disease, phenotype, genetics, immunology, behavior with links to related genes, QTLs, sub-strains, and strain source
- SUMSDB: Brain activation foci from published studies
- T3DB: Toxin and Toxin Target Database (T3DB) is a unique bioinformatics resource that combines detailed toxin data with comprehensive toxin target information
- Temporal-lobe.com: A hippocampal parahippocampal table together with references that provides a fully searchable knowledgebase of connections in the rat
- Visiome Platform: Digital archive of mathematical models, experimental stimuli, experimental data, and analytical tools for vision science
- WikiPathways: An open, collaborative platform dedicated to the curation of biological pathways
- WormBase: An international consortium of biologists and computer scientists dedicated to provide the research community with accurate, current, accessible information on genetics, genomics, and biology of C. elegans and some related nematodes
- XNAT: Dataset of human MRI images, from humans of different ages, clinical dementia ratings, and handedness available from XNAT central
- ZFIN: A zebrafish model organism database that includes transgenic fish but not wild-types.
Registering a database to the NIF
If you are a database provider and would like to make your database available through the NIF, we are happy to work with you. The NIF data federation tools are designed to be easy to use and require minimal effort from the database provider. Through its level 2 and level 3 tools, NIF can work with many types of data resources, regardless of underlying technology. For more information on Resource Levels, see Registering a Resource to NIF. If you have a data set that you would like to see registered, please email curation@neuinfo.org.
Related Links
The NIF Tools
The NIF Registry
NIF Web
NIF Data Federation
NIF Literature
MyNIF
Registering a Resource
Navigation
Home
NIF Tools
Vocabularies
Webinars
Community News
Developers







