Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1186/s40793-022-00425-1
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Metadata harmonization–Standards are the key for a better usage of omics data for integrative microbiome analysis
Author Cernava, T.; Rybakova, D.; Buscot, F.; Clavel, T.; McHardy, A.C.; Meyer, F.; Meyer, F.; Overmann, J.; Stecher, B.; Sessitsch, A.; Schloter, M.; Berg, G.; The MicrobiomeSupport Team,
Source Titel Environmental Microbiome
Year 2022
Department BOOEK; iDiv
Volume 17
Page From art. 33
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1186%2Fs40793-022-00425-1/MediaObjects/40793_2022_425_MOESM1_ESM.docx
Keywords Microbiome; Omics technologies; Metadata; FAIR; Repositories; Data storage; Convention on biological diversity
Abstract Background

Tremendous amounts of data generated from microbiome research studies during the last decades require not only standards for sampling and preparation of omics data but also clear concepts of how the metadata is prepared to ensure re-use for integrative and interdisciplinary microbiome analysis.
Results

In this Commentary, we present our views on the key issues related to the current system for metadata submission in omics research, and propose the development of a global metadata system. Such a system should be easy to use, clearly structured in a hierarchical way, and should be compatible with all existing microbiome data repositories, following common standards for minimal required information and common ontology. Although minimum metadata requirements are essential for microbiome datasets, the immense technological progress requires a flexible system, which will have to be constantly improved and re-thought. While FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) are already considered, international legal issues on genetic resource and sequence sharing provided by the Convention on Biological Diversity need more awareness and engagement of the scientific community.
Conclusions

The suggested approach for metadata entries would strongly improve retrieving and re-using data as demonstrated in several representative use cases. These integrative analyses, in turn, would further advance the potential of microbiome research for novel scientific discoveries and the development of microbiome-derived products.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=25898
Cernava, T., Rybakova, D., Buscot, F., Clavel, T., McHardy, A.C., Meyer, F., Meyer, F., Overmann, J., Stecher, B., Sessitsch, A., Schloter, M., Berg, G., The MicrobiomeSupport Team, (2022):
Metadata harmonization–Standards are the key for a better usage of omics data for integrative microbiome analysis
Environ. Microbiome 17 , art. 33 10.1186/s40793-022-00425-1