medna-metadata: an open-source data management system for tracking environmental DNA samples and metadata.

Area of Science:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) research
• Bioinformatics
• Data Science

Background:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) research is expanding rapidly.
• High-quality eDNA resources depend on comprehensive metadata for field sampling, lab work, and bioinformatics.
• Current resources lack standardized metadata documentation and open-source software for eDNA workflows.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an open-source, modular system for standardized metadata collection in eDNA research.
• To support data sharing and reuse by aligning with Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles.
• To provide a comprehensive metadata structure for field, lab, and bioinformatic data.

Main Methods:

• Developed medna-metadata, an open-source, modular system.
• Implemented a standardized metadata collection structure.
• Showcased the system using metabarcoding data from the Gulf of Maine.

Main Results:

• medna-metadata is an open-source, modular system for eDNA metadata.
• The system aligns with FAIR data principles, enhancing scholarly data reuse.
• It encapsulates critical aspects of field data collection, wet lab processing, and bioinformatic analysis.

Conclusions:

• medna-metadata provides a standardized solution for eDNA metadata management.
• The system facilitates data sharing and promotes the reuse of eDNA data.
• It addresses the need for open-source software in the eDNA research community.