Gene annotations denote any gene information beyond the expression level data. In the current ArrayMiner version, this comprises

• a gene description
• one or more queries that allow you to connect to public databases to search for additional information on a gene, either from the Raw Data window or the Internet Tab of the Search window.

    If you are running ArrayMiner as a standalone tool, your gene descriptions form the second column of your data file, while the database queries can be created and edited in the Internet Tab of the Search window.

    GeneSpring users can import gene annotations from GeneSpring - see the Refresh Annotations option in the relevant page. Importing the Annotations database automatically updates the gene descriptions. In contrast, the Internet queries are not automatically updated, since you may prefer to continue to use your own queries (previously edited in the Internet Tab of the Search window). Consequently, when ArrayMiner detects that annotations have been imported, and that Internet queries could be updated based on the imported annotations, you have the opportunity to do so or not. The following dialog is displayed:

    Replying Yes will update the Internet queries with the annotations imported from GeneSpring. No will leave the current queries intact.