Contribute

Our database relies on public contributions and curation. You can help expand our database by contributing new cell marker information. You can also help keep our database up to date by reporting existing cell and marker entries to provide updated data or curation suggestions.

Uploading data

To get started uploading data, you need to create a user account if you do not have one. This helps us prevent spam. Check out the Guides page for more detailed information on how to contribute.

Cell data

Our goal is to add information about every human and murine cell type and subset to our database. If you have a favorite type of cell, consider contributing to our database! To get started adding new cell data to the CellMarkers database, please become familiar with the cell data guidelines. Once you are ready to add cell data, head over to the cell upload form. It's a good idea to follow along with the guide as you fill out the form.

Marker data

In addition to different cell types and subsets, we need marker information that can help scientists identify those cells. Have you identified a new marker for your favorite cell type? Help others by adding it to our database! To get started adding new marker data to the CellMarkers database, please become familiar with the marker data guidelines. Once you are ready to add marker data, head over to the marker upload form. It's a good idea to follow along with the guide as you fill out the form.

Lineage data

To maintain accuracy and consistency, CellMarkers staff curates a number of cell lineages in our database. If a new cell lineage needs to be added, please reach out to staff to have it added.

Editing data

Note: we currently restrict editing cell and marker content to the original creator and staff. If you need to edit content that you did not add please use the report feature.

To get started editing data, you need to create a user account if you do not have one. This helps us prevent spam and malicious activity.

Editing existing data helps keep our database up to date and accurate. Our goal is to keep cell, marker, and lineage data up to date as frequently as possible. This involves adding new information, improving existing data or removing inaccurate data. To get started editing cell and marker data in the CellMarkers database, please become familiar with the cell data and marker data guidelines. Once you are ready to edit cell or marker data, head over to the respective data pages and click the edit button. It's a good idea to follow along with the guides as you edit the form data.

For convenience, cell pages have a handy link to quickly add cell markers.

Only staff can change lineage data. If you would like to request changes for lineage data, please contact staff.

Reporting data

Like editing data, reporting existing data helps keep our database up to date and accurate. Anyone can report data, you do not need an account. Report buttons can be found on all of our data pages. Some reasons to report existing cell or marker entries include:

  • Listing new or updated markers for a cell entry you did not add
  • Linking an existing marker to a new cell type
  • Suggesting changes to existing entry data based on new literature findings
  • Alerting staff to spam or inappropriate content

Donating

Please consider donating to financially support the database. If you would like to sponsor us with a larger contribution, please contact us.

Curating data

Users that frequently provide high quality data to our database have the opportunity to become volunteer staff that have access to expanded tools that assist in database curation and website management. If you are a regular user of the CellMarkers database and want to contribute further, please use the contact page to reach out to us about becoming a staff member. Please note, this is a completely volunteer position.