Integration among databases and data sets to support productive nanotechnology: Challenges and recommendations

Sandra Karcher, Egon L. Willighagen, John Rumble, Friederike Ehrhart, Chris T. Evelo, Martin Fritts, Sharon Gaheen, Stacey L. Harper, Mark D. Hoover, Nina Jeliazkova, Nastassja Lewinski, Richard L. Marchese Robinson, Karmann C. Mills, Axel P. Mustad, Dennis G. Thomas, Georgia Tsiliki, Christine Ogilvie Hendren*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Many groups within the broad field of nanoinformatics are already developing data repositories and analytical tools driven by their individual organizational goals. Integrating these data resources across disciplines and with non-nanotechnology resources can support multiple objectives by enabling the reuse of the same information. Integration can also serve as the impetus for novel scientific discoveries by providing the framework to support deeper data analyses. This article discusses current data integration practices in nanoinformatics and in comparable mature fields, and nanotechnology-specific challenges impacting data integration. Based on results from a nanoinformatics-community-wide survey, recommendations for achieving integration of existing operational nanotechnology resources are presented. Nanotechnology-specific data integration challenges, if effectively resolved, can foster the application and validation of nanotechnology within and across disciplines. This paper is one of a series of articles by the Nanomaterial Data Curation Initiative that address data issues such as data curation workflows, data completeness and quality, curator responsibilities, and metadata.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)85-101
Number of pages17
JournalNanoImpact
Volume9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2018

Keywords

  • Nanomaterials
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanoinformatics
  • Data integration
  • Databases
  • Web services
  • LIFE SCIENCES
  • NANOMATERIAL
  • INFORMATION
  • ONTOLOGIES
  • WEB
  • NANOPARTICLE
  • DEFINITION
  • RESOURCES
  • FRAMEWORK
  • PLATFORM

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