BioImage Archive receives new Core Data Resource and Deposition Database status by ELIXIR

We are thrilled to announce that the BioImage Archive has recently received the status of Core Data Resource and Deposition Database by ELIXIR. BioImage Archive, which has been a dedicated home to valuable image data that accompany peer reviewed publications since 2019, currently holds around a petabyte of image data. In addition, this global resource stores image metadata following community metadata guidelines (REMBI guidelines), and includes added value features like manually curated image galleries for upcoming technologies, such as volume Electron Microscopy and Spatial Omics, as well as for AI ready image datasets. This resource is growing at an unprecedented rate demonstrating the value of imaging technologies in basic and applied research. 

Euro-BioImaging strongly supports the BioImage Archive as a central repository for image data deposition and promotes uptake of the resource among its extensive community of Nodes and Users that produce large amounts of biologically relevant imaging data through the use of cutting edge imaging technologies. BioImage Archive has also been a strong partner in projects coordinated by Euro-BioImaging, including; the AI4life project, which saw development of community guidelines for storing AI ready image data (MIFA Guidelines); and the foundingGIDE project, which promotes interoperability among global open image data repositories.

ELIXIR, which is an intergovernmental organisation that brings together digital life science resources from across Europe, regularly selects a set of life science data resources as Core Data Resource, Deposition Database or Interoperability Resource. Candidate resources are evaluated by an independent panel of international reviewers using the following criteria:

• Scientific focus and quality of science
• Community served by the resource
• Quality of service
• Legal and funding infrastructure, and governance
• Impact and translational stories
• Resource facilitation to scientific research

Successful resources hence go through a rigorous review process and are seen as trusted resources by Users, journals, funders, etc.

Euro-BioImaging and ELIXIR share a common vision to use the wealth of knowledge derived from combining imaging data and biomolecular data to enable excellent interdisciplinary research across Europe and globally, as detailed in our recently signed MoU. Additionally, the two research infrastructures, together with EMBL and Instruct ERIC, have come together to form the Life Sciences Connect Node in the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC). These efforts towards seamless data and service integration in the life sciences are underpinned by the common recognition of BioImage Archive as a strong, growing data resource which will promote and drive data interoperability in future. We look forward to continuing our support to the BioImage Archive and connecting the critical data resource to our vibrant community.

Article contributed by Aastha Mathur, Head of Image Data Services.