BioModels: expanding horizons to include more modelling approaches and formats.

Mihai Glont,Camille Laibe,Rahuman S Malik-Sheriff,Vijayalakshmi Chelliah,Tung V N Nguyen,Roland Eils,Sarala M Wimalaratne,Henning Hermjakob,Nicolas Rodriguez,Jochen Schramm,Maciej J Swat,Nicolas Le Novère,Varun B Kothamachu,Raza Ali,Robert Hälke,Jurgen Eils,Martin Graesslin

doi:10.1093/nar/gkx1023

Abstract

BioModels serves as a central repository of mathematical models representing biological processes. It offers a platform to make mathematical models easily shareable across the systems modelling community, thereby supporting model reuse. To facilitate hosting a broader range of model formats derived from diverse modelling approaches and tools, a new infrastructure for BioModels has been developed that is available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels. This new system allows submitting and sharing of a wide range of models with improved support for formats other than SBML. It also offers a version-control backed environment in which authors and curators can work collaboratively to curate models. This article summarises the features available in the current system and discusses the potential benefit they offer to the users over the previous system. In summary, the new portal broadens the scope of models accepted in BioModels and supports collaborative model curation which is crucial for model reproducibility and sharing.

Highlights

Mathematical models representing biological processes and computational simulations have been shown to provide mechanistic insight into the functional properties of biological systems
BioModels serves as a central repository of mathematical models representing biological processes
To facilitate hosting a broader range of model formats derived from diverse modelling approaches and tools, a new infrastructure for BioModels has been developed that is available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels

Summary

Introduction

Mathematical models representing biological processes and computational simulations have been shown to provide mechanistic insight into the functional properties of biological systems. To facilitate hosting a broader range of model formats derived from diverse modelling approaches and tools, a new infrastructure for BioModels has been developed that is available at http://www.ebi.ac.uk/biomodels. This new system allows submitting and sharing of a wide range of models with improved support for formats other than SBML.

Results

Conclusion