The MG-RAST metagenomics database and portal in 2015

Area of Science:

• Metagenomics
• Bioinformatics
• Data Science

Background:

• MG-RAST is a widely used open-submission data portal for metagenomic datasets.
• The platform has experienced significant growth, hosting over 200,000 datasets and processing 4 terabasepairs monthly.
• Continuous updates and feature additions are essential to manage the increasing data volume.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the enhancements and updates made to the MG-RAST analysis workflow.
• To detail the technological advancements enabling the system to scale for high-throughput metagenomic data.
• To demonstrate the utility of MG-RAST data through integration examples with third-party tools.

Main Methods:

• Updating the analysis workflow to accommodate increased data processing demands.
• Implementing scalable technologies to manage a 4-fold increase in data submissions over 24 months.
• Developing and showcasing examples of integrating MG-RAST data with external bioinformatics tools.

Main Results:

• MG-RAST now processes an average of 4 terabasepairs of metagenomic data per month.
• The system has successfully scaled its pipeline to handle a 4-fold increase in submissions.
• Several new features have been implemented, enhancing the portal's functionality.
• Demonstrated successful integration of MG-RAST data with popular third-party analysis and sequence alignment tools.

Conclusions:

• MG-RAST provides a robust and scalable platform for metagenomic data processing and analysis.
• The portal's continuous development ensures its capacity to handle growing data volumes.
• Integration capabilities enhance the value and accessibility of metagenomic data for the scientific community.