ICPP 2018

Agricultural microbiome data: data platforms, standards, and analytical tools needed for advancing our science

Workshop Program (July 29, 10:30am-12:00pm, Room 206 Hynes Convention Center)

Welcome and Introductions

Linda Kinkel, University of Minnesota

Existing platforms: What is the state of the art for microbiome data? (45 minutes)

- The National Microbiome Data Collaborative (Lynn Shriml, University of Maryland, and Emiley Eloe-Fadrosh, JGI)

- The Joint Genome Institute (Susannah Tringe, JGI)

- The Genetics*Environmental*Management*Socioeconomic platform (Kevin Silverstein, University of Minnesota GEMS)

- LINbase classification and database (Boris Vinatzer, Virginia Tech)

- Questions and BRIEF discussion

Discussion breakouts

A. Discussion One: Metadata

*What minimum information should be included in a standard metadata checklist for agricultural microbiome studies?

*Are metadata standards likely to vary among sub-domains of agricultural systems (e.g. soil vs. plant vs. post-harvest vs. insect microbiomes)?

*Are there metadata within existing microbiome databases that are not needed for agricultural microbiomes?

B. Discussion Two: Standards

*What standards are needed for: i) plant or soil sampling; ii) sample storage pre- or post-extraction; iii) extraction; iv) data processing; v) access to raw and/or processed data?

*Who should determine these and how should adoption or compliance with standards be encouraged (e.g. grant submission requirements, journal requirements, other)?

C. Discussion Three: Database needs

*What will success look like for a collective agricultural microbiomes database?

*What data types are going to be part of a database now and in the future?

*What role should the agricultural microbiomes research community play in database development?

D. Overall summary and next steps: wrap-up