The space between standards and software, standards and other standards, and between software and other software, is what we are calling the "commons". Hence, the "Biocode Commons" specifically addresses the gap present in the biodiversity genomics community between collections based data (commonly museum specimens and tissues) and the sequence based data sets.
Biocode Commons focus areas are on 1) clarifying terms and concepts and 2) building robust identifier schemes. Both of these focus areas facilitate tracking data across software, services, and databases. Clarifying terms and concepts are captured well through the Semantics of Biodiversity Workshop and the bioCollections Ontology Hackathon (see below). We have begun working with systems for structuring identifiers, including DOIs, ARKs, and systems to facilitate their use (EZID) to help build a robust and scalable system for tracking specimens, samples, and processes.
Workshops and Hackathons
Increasing communication between development teams working on biodiversity informatics, genomics, publication, and analysis through periodic workshops and hackathons.
Tools for Scientists
Facilitating the integration and re-use of tools, adopting web-services, shared code, and project to project communications.
Ecosystem of Standards
Working with the standards community to ensure clear vocabularies and useful ontologies for genomic resources.
