Get expression pattern information for a gene including tissue/cell expression, life stage expression, and expression images.
AI agents call get_expression to retrieve information from WormBase MCP Server without modifying anything — typically the context-gathering step in research, monitoring, and reporting workflows, before the agent takes action elsewhere.
This tool queries the WormBase database to retrieve expression pattern information for genes. It performs pure data retrieval with no side effects—no creation, modification, deletion, or execution of arbitrary operations. All sibling tools (get_disease, get_entity, get_gene, etc.) follow the same read-only pattern.
From the tool's definition Tool name 'get_expression' and description indicate retrieval of existing expression pattern data ('Get expression pattern information'). No modification, deletion, or execution of code/commands mentioned.
Attacks that exploit this kind of access
Get expression pattern information for a gene including tissue/cell expression, life stage expression, and expression images. It is categorised as a Read tool in the WormBase MCP Server MCP Server, which means it retrieves data without modifying state.
Register the WormBase MCP Server MCP server in PolicyLayer and add a rule for get_expression: allow, deny, rate-limit, or require approval. Point your MCP client at the PolicyLayer proxy URL and the rule is enforced on every call, before it reaches WormBase MCP Server. Nothing to install.
get_expression is a Read tool with low risk. Read-only tools are generally safe to allow by default.
Yes. Add a rate_limit block to the get_expression rule in your PolicyLayer policy. For example, setting max: 10 and window: 60 limits the tool to 10 calls per minute. Rate limits are tracked per agent session and reset automatically.
Set action: deny in the PolicyLayer policy for get_expression. The AI agent will receive a policy violation error and cannot call the tool. You can also include a reason field to explain why the tool is blocked.
get_expression is provided by the WormBase MCP Server MCP server (wormbase/wormbase-mcp). PolicyLayer sits as a proxy in front of this server to enforce policies before tool calls reach the server.
Every MCP server has a record like this.
Type a name, get the same breakdown: verified identity, auth posture, risk grade, capabilities, recommended policy.
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