Gene Ontology (also known as Gene Ontologies, Ontologies, Gene): Sets of structured vocabularies used for describing and categorizing genes, and gene products by their molecular function, involvement in biological processes, and cellular location. These vocabularies and their associations to genes and gene products (Ge

NIH MeSH · D063990Disciplines and Occupations

Gene Ontology

Also known asGene Ontologies · Ontologies, Gene · Ontology, Gene · Gene Ontology Project · Gene Ontology Projects · Ontology Project, Gene · Ontology Projects, Gene · Project, Gene Ontology · Projects, Gene Ontology

Definition

Sets of structured vocabularies used for describing and categorizing genes, and gene products by their molecular function, involvement in biological processes, and cellular location. These vocabularies and their associations to genes and gene products (Gene Ontology annotations) are generated and curated by the Gene Ontology Consortium.

MeSH classification

  • H01.158.273.343.249.099
  • H01.770.644.145.350.124
  • L01.224.050.375.480.500.500
  • L01.313.500.750.300.550.500.500
  • L01.462.750.245.945.079.500

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Common questions about Gene Ontology

What does Gene Ontology mean in medicine?
Sets of structured vocabularies used for describing and categorizing genes, and gene products by their molecular function, involvement in biological processes, and cellular location. These vocabularies and their associations to genes and gene products (Gene Ontology annotations) are generated and curated by the Gene Ontology Consortium. This definition is taken from the National Library of Medicine's MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) 2026 release, which is the standard vocabulary used to index PubMed and most medical literature.
Is Gene Ontology known by any other names?
Yes. Gene Ontology is also referred to as Gene Ontologies, Ontologies, Gene, Ontology, Gene, Gene Ontology Project in different clinical, research and patient-facing contexts. The MeSH descriptor groups all of these synonyms under a single canonical concept so research and records stay consistent.
Where does Gene Ontology sit in the medical classification?
Gene Ontology falls under the broader medical category "Disciplines and Occupations" in the MeSH hierarchy (tree numbers: H01.158.273.343.249.099, H01.770.644.145.350.124, L01.224.050.375.480.500.500). Browsing the related concepts on this page takes you to neighbouring topics in the same branch of medicine.
Where can I get a plain-language explanation of Gene Ontology?
For a plain-language explanation of Gene Ontology - including symptoms, treatments and what it means for an Indian patient - ask GoDavaii's Health AI. It works in 22+ Indian languages, is free and needs no signup. Tap "Ask GoDavaii AI about Gene Ontology" above.

Source: NIH MeSH 2026 (D063990) — National Library of Medicine, public domain. View official MeSH record ↗