Identifying ELIXIR Core Data Resources

Abstract

The core mission of ELIXIR is to build a stable and sustainable infrastructure for biological information across Europe. At the heart of this are the data resources, tools and services that ELIXIR offers to the life-sciences community, providing stable and sustainable access to biological data. ELIXIR aims to ensure that these resources are available long-term and that the life-cycles of these resources are managed such that they support the scientific needs of the life-sciences, including biological research. ELIXIR Core Data Resources are defined as a set of European data resources that are of fundamental importance to the wider life-science community and the long-term preservation of biological data. They are complete collections of generic value to life-science, are considered an authority in their field with respect to one or more characteristics, and show high levels of scientific quality and service. Thus, ELIXIR Core Data Resources are of wide applicability and usage. This paper describes the structures, governance and processes that support the identification and evaluation of ELIXIR Core Data Resources. It identifies key indicators which reflect the essence of the definition of an ELIXIR Core Data Resource and support the promotion of excellence in resource development and operation. It describes the specific indicators in more detail and explains their application within ELIXIR’s sustainability strategy and science policy actions, and in capacity building, life-cycle management and technical actions. Establishing the portfolio of ELIXIR Core Data Resources and ELIXIR Services is a key priority for ELIXIR and publicly marks the transition towards a cohesive infrastructure.

The ELIXIR Core Data Resources: fundamental infrastructure for the life sciences

“…One of ELIXIR's goals is to support the most valuable, used and useful resources, i.e., those with a very high scientific impact. To fulfill this goal ELIXIR has created a formal process to identify the most critical life sciences data resources in Europe, designated ELIXIR Core Data Resources (https://www.elixireurope.org/platforms/data/core-data-resources; Durinx et al, 2016). There are currently 19 Core Data Resources (CDRs , Table 1), spanning a broad range of life sciences data types including genes and genomes, proteins, chemistry, molecular structures and interactions, and the research literature.…”

“…There are currently 19 Core Data Resources (CDRs , Table 1), spanning a broad range of life sciences data types including genes and genomes, proteins, chemistry, molecular structures and interactions, and the research literature. The process to identify these resources (Durinx et al, 2016) uses a set of qualitative and quantitative indicators of scientific and technical quality and impact. The indicators fall into five categories: Scientific focus and quality of science; Community served by the resource; Quality of service; Legal and funding infrastructure, and governance; Impact and translational stories.…”

An open and transparent process to select ELIXIR Node Services as implemented by ELIXIR-UK

“…The criteria developed by EXCELERATE Work Package 3 have subsequently been finalised and form the basis of the ELIXIR process for selection of Core Data Resources 2 .…”

Using the MINT Database to Search Protein Interactions

“…MINT is part of the ELIXIR Core Data Resources, a group of European data resources considered to be of fundamental importance for the life‐science community and for the long‐term preservation of biological data (Durinx et al., ). Here, we provide updated protocols for searching MINT over the Internet (see Basic Protocol 1), using the MINT Visualizer (see Support Protocol), and submitting interaction data to MINT (see Basic Protocol 2).…”