We describe the creation process of the Minimum Information Specification forIn SituHybridization
and Immunohistochemistry Experiments (MISFISHIE). Modeled after the existing
minimum information specification for microarray data, we created a new specification
for gene expression localization experiments, initially to facilitate data sharing within a consortium. After successful use within the consortium, the specification was circulated to
members of the wider biomedical research community for comment and refinement. After
a period of acquiring many new suggested requirements, it was necessary to enter a final
phase of excluding those requirements that were deemed inappropriate as a minimum requirement
for all experiments. The full specification will soon be published as a version 1.0
proposal to the community, upon which a more full discussion must take place so that the
final specification may be achieved with the involvement of the whole community.
This paper is part of the special issue of OMICS on data standards.
