About

The IPD-MHC Database collects and maintains allele sequences from different taxonomic groups, as well as detailed information concerning the material from which the sequences were derived. It is now standard procedure for authors to submit the sequences directly to the IPD-MHC Database for curation and assignment of an official name prior to publication - this avoids the problems associated with renaming published sequences and the confusion of multiple names for the same sequence.

These pages are designed and maintained by the HLA Informatics Group of the Anthony Nolan, in collaboration with the External Services Group of the EBI.

MHC Nomenclature

Nomenclature for MHC genes and alleles in species other than humans and mice has historically been overseen either informally by groups generating sequences, or by formal nomenclature committees set up by the International Society for Animal Genetics (ISAG). This work is now overseen by the Comparative MHC Nomenclature Committee and is supported by ISAG and the Veterinary Immunology Committee (VIC) of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS).

  • Ellis SA, Bontrop RE, Antczak DF, Ballingall K, Davies CJ, Kaufman J, Kennedy LJ, Robinson J, Smith DM, Stear MJ, Stet RJM, Waller MJ, Walter L and Marsh SGE
    ISAG/IUIS-VIC Comparative MHC Nomenclature Committee report, 2005
    Immunogenetics (2006), 57: 953–958

Please cite the IPD-MHC Database whenever you publish your sequences:

  • Maccari G, Robinson J, Barker DJ, Yates AD, Hammond JA, Marsh SGE
    The 2024 IPD-MHC database update: a comprehensive resource for major histocompatibility complex studies.
    Nucleic Acids Res. (2025), 53: D457-D461

Collaborators and Development Team

The IPD-MHC Database is currently maintained by the following:

Other collaborators include: