The 4D Nucleome Data Portal as a resource for searching and visualizing curated nucleomics data

Area of Science:

• Genomics
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• The 4D Nucleome (4DN) Network investigates the three-dimensional (3D) organization of chromosomes within the cell nucleus.
• Understanding nuclear architecture is crucial for elucidating gene regulation and disease mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce the 4DN Data Portal, a centralized repository for 4DN Network data and related external datasets.
• To provide researchers with a comprehensive resource for exploring chromosome structure and nuclear organization.

Main Methods:

• The portal aggregates data from diverse experimental techniques, including chromosome conformation capture (e.g., Hi-C), sequencing, and microscopy.
• Data undergoes uniform processing and quality control for consistency across different laboratories.
• Integrated tools like the HiGlass genome browser facilitate visualization and comparison of multiple datasets.

Main Results:

• The 4DN Data Portal hosts over 1800 experiment sets and 36,000 files.
• Uniform processing ensures reliable analysis of sequencing-based assay results.
• The portal offers user-friendly browsing, filtering, and bulk download capabilities.

Conclusions:

• The 4DN Data Portal serves as a vital resource for the scientific community studying chromosome conformation and nuclear architecture.
• It facilitates research into the impact of nuclear organization disruptions in disease biology.
• The portal promotes data accessibility and collaborative research in the field of 3D genomics.