The mouse genome database is included in the global core biological data resource

The Global Biodata Consortium (GBC) has announced that the Mouse Genome Database (MGD) located at Jackson Labs' Bal Harbor campus will be added to the first list
of global core biological data resources (GCBRs).
The list, released this week, brings together 37 resources whose long-term funding and sustainability are critical
to global life sciences and biomedical research.

Like keystone species in ecosystems, GCBRs represent the most important component or node in the global life sciences data infrastructure, and if they fail, they will have a significant impact on
global research efforts.
A key feature of GCBRs is that the data they hold is publicly available and can be accessed and used
by researchers around the world without restrictions.

The mouse genome database has been a model organism database
for laboratory mice for more than 30 years.
It is the primary resource of the international research community for bioreference data related to mouse genes and other genomic features, functional annotations, phenotypic and disease models, with particular emphasis on the relationship
of these data to human biology and disease.
MGD serves as an authoritative source for officially naming mouse genes and strains, as well as standard annotations
for mouse gene function and phenotype.

MGD is a founding member of the Genomic Resources Consortium, which integrates the biological knowledge of genes and genomes from different model organisms to support research into the genetics and genomic basis of human health and disease through comparative biology
.

"We are honored to be one of the first knowledge bases to be named as a global core biodata resource in recognition of the importance of
MGD to the biomedical research community.
" Dr.
Carol Bult, Jackson Lab Professor and Knowlton Family Chair, said, "This designation reflects the professionalism and experience of our software engineers and biostorage scientists, whose efforts allow us to continually innovate and adapt to the changing needs
of a diverse community of basic scientists, clinical researchers, and data scientists who rely on MGD.
I hope that the GCBR initiative will help lay the groundwork for community resources to develop new funding models so that we can continue to make professionally curated genetic and genomic data
freely available to all.
”

This first set of GCBRs
was selected through a rigorous two-stage process open to global biological data resources.
At each stage of the selection process, candidate biodata resources are evaluated by a panel of more than 50 independent expert reviewers against a range of criteria, including their scientific focus, size and coverage of user communities, quality of service, governance, and impact on
global research.

It is envisaged that the GCBR list will grow and evolve over time, with more opportunities to apply for consideration of GCBR status
in the coming years.

Guy Cochrane, Executive Director of GBC, said: "The announcement of this list will bring funders and biological data resources together to develop sustainability models that meet their needs and ensure that these data resources can continue to support the global research community
.
"

Eric Green, Director of the National Human Genome Institute and a member of the Board of Directors of GBC, said: "The selection of the first set of GCBRs is an important step
towards a better understanding of the broader ecosystem of data resources that are critical to life sciences and biomedical research.
It also represents a starting point
for intensified discussions with the various research communities and their funders on how best to ensure the long-term sustainability of vital biological data resources.
”