Exploiting the full potential of Arabidopsis thaliana (functional) genomic data is currently hindered by the limited mechanisms of availability and the lack of integration. Web services provide a mechanism whereby data residing at many different locations can be seamlessly integrated to provide the user with richer data sets. This demonstration project is initiated with the encouragement of the Multinational Arabidopsis Steering Committee that oversees and attempts to integrate functional genomics efforts. The aim is to successfully deploy web services at eight research sites in Europe and eight in the US that vary both in the kinds of data that they host, and in the level of expertise at the sites. The aim is to improve availability and integration of Arabidopsis data through a network of standardized web service providers. This is to be a pilot project: It should demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, the benefits that can be expected from this type of integration, and the effort/time required. It will not be comprehensive: Only few selected data providers will participate, and only selected relevant data types and methods will be integrated. However, it intends to be open and attract further collaborators. In the long run, an effort towards comprehensiveness will be made and most Arabidopsis data providers approached.

An initial workshop trained the cooperating partners in implementing and utilizing web services. Web services will be implemented at all sites with the help of a bioinformatician funded by the project. The results of these efforts will be reported and demonstrated at the annual International Arabidopsis Research Conference. The project will document effort required and prerequisites as well as benefit gained.

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Links

• BioMoby
• Internal project WIKI
• PlaNet