Protocols.io: Virtual Communities for Protocol Development and Discussion

Area of Science:

• Life Sciences
• Computational Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Detailed experimental know-how is often confined to research groups.
• This information is frequently too specific for standard scientific article methods sections.
• Lack of accessible detailed protocols hinders research reproducibility and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the challenge of inaccessible research protocols.
• To introduce a method-centered collaborative platform for researchers.
• To facilitate the sharing and discovery of state-of-the-art scientific knowledge.

Main Methods:

• Development of an open-access platform named Protocols.io.
• The platform enables detailed documentation of molecular and computational protocols.
• Facilitates discussion and collaboration around shared methods.

Main Results:

• Protocols.io serves as a central repository for research methods.
• The platform supports researchers before, during, and after publication.
• Enhances the discoverability and accessibility of scientific protocols.

Conclusions:

• Collaborative platforms like Protocols.io are crucial for improving scientific reproducibility.
• Open access to detailed protocols saves researcher time and resources.
• Facilitates the advancement of scientific discovery through shared knowledge.