Perspectives on tracking data reuse across biodata resources
Authors: Ross Karen E , Bastian Frederic B , Buys Matt , Cook Charles E , D’Eustachio Peter , Harrison Melissa , Hermjakob Henning , Li Donghui , Lord Phillip , Natale Darren A , Peters Bjoern , Sternberg Paul W , Su Andrew I , Thakur Matthew , Thomas Paul D , Bateman Alex ,   and the UniProt Consortium, Bateman Alex , Martin Maria-Jesus , Orchard Sandra , Magrane Michele , Ahmad Shadab , Bowler-Barnett Emily H , Bye-A-Jee Hema , Denny Paul , Dogan Tunca , Ebenezer ThankGod , Fan Jun , da Costa Gonzales Leonardo Jose , Hussein Abdulrahman , Ignatchenko Alexandr , Insana Giuseppe , Ishtiaq Rizwan , Joshi Vishal , Jyothi Dushyanth , Kandasaamy Swaathi , Lock Antonia , Luciani Aurelien , Luo Jie , Lussi Yvonne , Raposo Pedro , Rice Daniel L , Saidi Rabie , Santos Rafael , Speretta Elena , Stephenson James , Totoo Prabhat , Tyagi Nidhi , Vasudev Preethi , Warner Kate , Zaru Rossana , Wijerathne Supun , Ibrahim Khawaja Talal , Kim Minjoon , Marin Juan , Bridge Alan J , Aimo Lucila , Argoud-Puy Ghislaine , Auchincloss Andrea H , Axelsen Kristian B , Bansal Parit , Baratin Delphine , Batista Neto Teresa M , Bolleman Jerven T , Boutet Emmanuel , Breuza Lionel , Gil Blanca Cabrera , Casals-Casas Cristina , Coudert Elisabeth , Cuche Beatrice , de Castro Edouard , Estreicher Anne , Famiglietti Maria L , Feuermann Marc , Gasteiger Elisabeth , Gehant Sebastien , Gos Arnaud , Gruaz Nadine , Hulo Chantal , Hyka-Nouspikel Nevila , Jungo Florence , Kerhornou Arnaud , Le Mercier Philippe , Lieberherr Damien , Masson Patrick , Morgat Anne , Pedruzzi Ivo , Pilbout Sandrine , Pourcel Lucille , Poux Sylvain , Pozzato Monica , Pruess Manuela , Redaschi Nicole , Rivoire Catherine , Sigrist Christian J A , Sundaram Shyamala , Sveshnikova Anastasia , Wu Cathy H , Arighi Cecilia N , Chen Chuming , Chen Yongxing , Huang Hongzhan , Laiho Kati , Lehvaslaiho Minna , McGarvey Peter , Natale Darren A , Ross Karen , Vinayaka C R , Wang Yuqi , Zhang Jian 
Published: April 2024

Motivation

Data reuse is a common and vital practice in molecular biology and enables the knowledge gathered over recent decades to drive discovery and innovation in the life sciences. Much of this knowledge has been collated into molecular biology databases, such as UniProtKB, and these resources derive enormous value from sharing data among themselves. However, quantifying and documenting this kind of data reuse remains a challenge.

Results

The article reports on a one-day virtual workshop hosted by the UniProt Consortium in March 2023, attended by representatives from biodata resources, experts in data management, and NIH program managers. Workshop discussions focused on strategies for tracking data reuse, best practices for reusing data, and the challenges associated with data reuse and tracking. Surveys and discussions showed that data reuse is widespread, but critical information for reproducibility is sometimes lacking. Challenges include costs of tracking data reuse, tensions between tracking data and open sharing, restrictive licenses, and difficulties in tracking commercial data use. Recommendations that emerged from the discussion include: development of standardized formats for documenting data reuse, education about the obstacles posed by restrictive licenses, and continued recognition by funding agencies that data management is a critical activity that requires dedicated resources.

Availability and implementation

Summaries of survey results are available at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1j-VU2ifEKb9C-sW6l3ATB79dgHdRk5v_lESv2hawnso/viewanalytics (survey of data providers) and https://docs.google.com/forms/d/18WbJFutUd7qiZoEzbOytFYXSfWFT61hVce0vjvIwIjk/viewanalytics (survey of users).