About MycoBase
An online open resource serving as a linking pin in mycology.
The challenge
Fungal knowledge is fragmented. Genetic sequences are stored in GenBank, but other important data (images, phenotypic, ecological, mycotoxin and physiological data) are hard to access. Much of it sits in books and journal articles, often only in print at specialised libraries.
Existing infrastructures lack integrated metadata, which limits reuse and the FAIR principles. Taxonomy also changes quickly, which makes tracking names and identities difficult.
Our approach
MycoBase is an infrastructure that integrates diverse fungal datasets, with thorough metadata annotation and FAIR-compliant sharing. Unlike repositories focused on genetic sequences, MycoBase offers one openly accessible space for all relevant fungal data types.
Open Science by design
- FAIR data: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable
- Open protocols and community standards: OAI-PMH, MIxS, Darwin Core
- Persistent identifiers (PIDs) for strains and DNA barcodes
- Open licences: CC BY for datasets and CC0 for metadata; open-source software under MIT
- Integration with GenBank, UNITE, BOLD and MycoBank
- Transparent governance with input from users and stakeholders
Backbone for WI reference databases
MycoBase will serve as the backbone for the reference databases of the Westerdijk Institute:
- MycoBank
- TheYeasts.org
- Atlas of Clinical Fungi
- FUSARIOID-ID database
- ISHAM ITS database
Project facts
- Host institute: Westerdijk Fungal Biodiversity Institute (KNAW), Utrecht, the Netherlands
- Funder: Open Science NL (part of NWO), call “Open Science Infrastructure 2024”
- Duration: 24 months