We explore the relationships between the cortex functional organization and genetic expression. Previous work suggests that functional cortical networks (resting state, task based and anatomical) are organized as two large networks (differentiated by their preferred information processing mode) shaped like two rings. The first ring–Visual-Sensorimotor-Auditory (VSA)–process real time world interactions. The second ring–Parieto-Temporo-Frontal (PTF)–comprises networks dedicated to cognitive functions, emotions, biological needs, and internally driven rhythms. We found that the patterns of expression of the genes most differentially expressed across the cortex organized the cortex into two sets of regions that match the two rings. We found that several of the proteins–coded by genes that most differentiate the rings–were involved in neuronal information processing such as ionic channels and neurotransmitter release. The systematic study of families of genes revealed specific proteins within families preferentially expressed in each ring. The results showed strong congruence between the preferential expression of subsets of genes, temporal properties of the proteins they code, and the preferred processing modes of the rings.