PomBase: A FAIR community resource advancing research from fission yeast to humans (360G-Wellcome-218236_Z_19_Z)

Because basic molecular mechanisms are shared universally, model organism databases are pivotal resources and drivers of research across species. We will enhance PomBase, the fission yeast model organism database, to place investigations using fission yeast in contexts that illuminate equivalent processes in other species, particularly human. Through data stewardship, literature curation, and data integration, we will create emergent knowledge of eukaryotic cell biology, encompassing how proteins are connected into pathways, how pathways are connected to each other, what genes and pathways relate to human diseases, and what proteins remain unstudied across species. We will develop generic open-source, modular, customisable tools to integrate diverse data types, thereby providing clear, user-responsive presentations of increasing volumes of complex data. We will continue to make substantial contributions to the development of shared infrastructures for semantic standardization of biology, supporting increased data propagation and re-use. We will engage closely with the research community through outreach activities. Our proposal addresses four interconnected key objectives: A1 Enabling fresh biological insights across organisms from quality-assured, standardised curation. A2 Improving core infrastructure and providing innovative tools. A3 Enhancing data acquisition, interoperability, and dissemination. A4 Increasing outreach, community curation and promoting the fission yeast model system.