The Ontology for Biomedical Investigations.

The Ontology for Biomedical Investigations (OBI) is an ontology that provides terms with precisely defined meanings to describe all aspects of how investigations in the biological and medical domains are conducted. OBI re-uses ontologies that provide a representation of biomedical knowledge from the Open Biological and Biomedical Ontologies (OBO) project and adds the ability to describe how this knowledge was derived. We here describe the state of OBI and several applications that are using it, such as adding semantic expressivity to existing databases, building data entry forms, and enabling interoperability between knowledge resources.

Data standards for Omics data: the basis of data sharing and reuse.

To facilitate sharing of Omics data, many groups of scientists have been working to establish the relevant data standards. The main components of data sharing standards are experiment description standards, data exchange standards, terminology standards, and experiment execution standards. Here we provide a survey of existing and emerging standards that are intended to assist the free and open exchange of large-format data.

Survey-based naming conventions for use in OBO Foundry ontology development.

Background: A wide variety of ontologies relevant to the biological and medical domains are available through the OBO Foundry portal, and their number is growing rapidly. Integration of these ontologies, while requiring considerable effort, is extremely desirable. However, heterogeneities in format and style pose serious obstacles to such integration.

Debunking minimum information myths: one hat need not fit all.

A recent meeting report published in this journal suggests that the work of the various bodies attempting to improve the quality of articles describing the results of biomedical experimental work has been misunderstood or, at best, misinterpreted. This response is an attempt to set the record straight and ensure that other groups are not discouraged from using these standards or from joining in their further development in either existing or novel areas of research.

Towards interoperable reporting standards for omics data: hopes and hurdles.

Background: As the size and complexity of scientific datasets and the corresponding information stores grow, standards for collecting, describing, formatting, submitting and exchanging information are playing an increasingly active role. Several initiatives occupy strategic positions in the international scenario, both within and across domains. However, the job of harmonising reporting standards is still very much a work in progress; both software interoperability and the data integration remain challenging as things stand.

Promoting coherent minimum reporting guidelines for biological and biomedical investigations: the MIBBI project.

The Minimum Information for Biological and Biomedical Investigations (MIBBI) project provides a resource for those exploring the range of extant minimum information checklists and fosters coordinated development of such checklists.

The Functional Genomics Experiment model (FuGE): an extensible framework for standards in functional genomics.

The Functional Genomics Experiment data model (FuGE) has been developed to facilitate convergence of data standards for high-throughput, comprehensive analyses in biology. FuGE models the components of an experimental activity that are common across different technologies, including protocols, samples and data. FuGE provides a foundation for describing entire laboratory workflows and for the development of new data formats.

The minimum information about a proteomics experiment (MIAPE).

Both the generation and the analysis of proteomics data are now widespread, and high-throughput approaches are commonplace. Protocols continue to increase in complexity as methods and technologies evolve and diversify. To encourage the standardized collection, integration, storage and dissemination of proteomics data, the Human Proteome Organization's Proteomics Standards Initiative develops guidance modules for reporting the use of techniques such as gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.

Standards for reporting bioscience data: a forward look.

Groups representing a number of domains in the life sciences have been developing specifications and resources for the description and transmission of data, including those produced by (high-throughput) omics technologies. Although these developments are individually valuable, there is now a need for coordination to avoid the problem of a multiplicity of competing candidate standards. Three ongoing collaborative projects (FuGE, OBI and MIBBI) offer the promise of support for truly integrated, cross-domain informatics solutions.

Progress in standards for reporting omics data.

A number of research groups are generating standard mechanisms and prescriptions for reporting various kinds of biological and biomedical experiments. The motives for this generation include concern about the longevity of data sets (and the robustness of conclusions built upon them), the desire to integrate data from diverse scientific disciplines, and the facility to productively mine accrued data. The pharmaceutical industry continues to play a significant role in the genesis and development of such standards, in conjunction with technology vendors and academia.

Entering the implementation era: a report on the HUPO-PSI Fall workshop 25-27 September 2006, Washington DC, USA.

Since its conception in April 2002, the Human Proteome Organisation Proteomics Standards Initiative has contributed to the development of community standards for proteomics in a collaborative and very dynamic manner, resulting in the publication and increasing adoption of a number of interchange formats and controlled vocabularies. Repositories supporting these formats are being established or are already operational. In parallel with this, minimum reporting requirement have been developed and are now maturing to the point where they have been submitted for journal publication after prolonged exposure to community-input via the PSI website.

Minimum reporting requirements for proteomics: a MIAPE primer.

Amongst other functions, the Human Proteome Organization's Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO PSI) facilitates the generation by the proteomics community of guidelines that specify the appropriate level of detail to provide when describing the various components of a proteomics experiment. These guidelines are codified as the MIAPE (Minimum Information About a Proteomics Experiment) specification, the first modules of which are now finalized. This primer describes the structure and scope of MIAPE, places it in context amongst reporting specifications for other domains, briefly discusses related informatics resources and closes by considering the ramifications for the proteomics community.

The work of the Human Proteome Organisation's Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO PSI).

This article describes the origins, working practices and various development projects of the HUman Proteome Organisation's Proteomics Standards Initiative (HUPO PSI), specifically, our work on reporting requirements, data exchange formats and controlled vocabulary terms. We also offer our view of the two functional genomics projects in which the PSI plays a role (FuGE and FuGO), discussing their impact on our process and laying out the benefits we see as accruing, both to the PSI and to biomedical science as a whole as a result of their widespread acceptance.

PRIDE: a public repository of protein and peptide identifications for the proteomics community.

PRIDE, the 'PRoteomics IDEntifications database' (http://www.ebi.ac.

Further steps in standardisation. Report of the second annual Proteomics Standards Initiative Spring Workshop (Siena, Italy 17-20th April 2005).

The spring workshop of the HUPO-PSI convened in Siena to further progress the data standards which are already making an impact on data exchange and deposition in the field of proteomics. Separate work groups pushed forward existing XML standards for the exchange of Molecular Interaction data (PSI-MI, MIF) and Mass Spectrometry data (PSI-MS, mzData) whilst significant progress was made on PSI-MS' mzIdent, which will allow the capture of data from analytical tools such as peak list search engines. A new focus for PSI (GPS, gel electrophoresis) was explored; as was the need for a common representation of protein modifications by all workers in the field of proteomics and beyond.

Further steps towards data standardisation: the Proteomic Standards Initiative HUPO 3(rd) annual congress, Beijing 25-27(th) October, 2004.

The increasing volume of proteomics data currently being generated by increasingly high-throughput methodologies has led to an increasing need for methods by which such data can be accurately described, stored and exchanged between experimental researchers and data repositories. Work by the Proteomics Standards Initiative of the Human Proteome Organisation has laid the foundation for the development of standards by which experimental design can be described and data exchange facilitated. The progress of these efforts, and the direct benefits already accruing from them, were described at a plenary session of the 3(rd) Annual HUPO congress.

A common open representation of mass spectrometry data and its application to proteomics research.

A broad range of mass spectrometers are used in mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics research. Each type of instrument possesses a unique design, data system and performance specifications, resulting in strengths and weaknesses for different types of experiments. Unfortunately, the native binary data formats produced by each type of mass spectrometer also differ and are usually proprietary.