The Atlas: yesterday, today and always helping you

Roberta Vanni
University of Cagliari

The Atlas of Genetics and Cytogenetics in Oncology and Hematology is not just as a reference, but as a genuinely functional tool in research, diagnostics, teaching, and scientific writing.

The Atlas is a curated, peer-reviewed, open-access knowledge base that integrates:

  • Gene summaries
  • Chromosomal abnormalities
  • Cancer-associated cytogenetic profiles
  • Case reports and iconography
  • Pathways, oncogenes, tumor suppressors
  • Didactic reviews and educational materials

It’s essentially a hybrid between a database and a continuously updated encyclopedia.
Its structure supports a holistic view of cancer genetics.
Here are a few tips on how it can be beneficial.


1. For research and literature synthesis

How it helps

  • Rapid orientation on a gene or chromosomal region before diving into primary literature.
  • Concise summaries of known oncogenic mechanisms, rearrangements, and associated malignancies.
  • Links to foundational papers, which is invaluable when reconstructing historical timelines.

Example use
If you’re tracing the evolution of collagenase-based tumor disaggregation, the Atlas entries on solid tumor karyotyping, specific sarcomas, or early cytogenetic case series can help triangulate dates, authors, and methodological shifts.


2. For cytogenetic diagnostics

How it helps

  • Quick confirmation of the clinical significance of a karyotype abnormality.
  • Differential diagnosis: many entries list the spectrum of tumors associated with a given rearrangement.
  • Phenotype–genotype correlations for rare or ambiguous findings.

Example use
When encountering a rare translocation in a solid tumor, the Atlas often provides case-based context that is not readily available through PubMed searches.


3. For teaching and presentations

This is where the Atlas shines for didactic clarity.

How it helps

  • High-quality schematic figures of chromosomal rearrangements.
  • Concise, structured explanations ideal for slides.
  • Case-based images that illustrate real-world cytogenetic patterns.

Example use
When preparing a slide about EWSR1 rearrangements, the Atlas offers both canonical diagrams and clinical associations, facilitating the development of a visually balanced and context-rich presentation.


4. For scientific writing and editing

How it helps

  • Authoritative definitions of cytogenetic entities.
  • Standardized nomenclature consistent with ISCN.
  • Reliable background paragraphs for introductions and reviews.

Example use
When drafting a manuscript section on a specific chromosomal region, the Atlas offers a clean, citable summary that avoids the pitfalls of outdated or overly general sources.


5. For historical and conceptual reconstruction

This aligns beautifully with your interest in the evolution of cytogenetic and molecular techniques.

How it helps

  • Many entries include historical notes, first descriptions, and methodological milestones.
  • It provides contextual anchors that help reconstruct timelines of discovery.

Example use
If you’re mapping the conceptual development of a cytogenetic technique, the Atlas often points to seminal papers that mark turning points.


6. For interdisciplinary integration

The Atlas is particularly useful when bridging:

  • Cytogenetics ↔ molecular genetics
  • Pathology ↔ oncology
  • Mechanisms ↔ clinical phenotypes

The interdisciplinary integration promotes a holistic understanding of cancer genetics.