LIPID MAPS: update to databases and tools for the lipidomics community.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Bioinformatics
• Data Science

Background:

• The LIPID MAPS (LIPID Metabolites and Pathways Strategy) project has established a community-standard nomenclature and classification system for lipids over 20 years.
• LIPID MAPS provides essential databases, software tools, and educational resources for organizing and understanding lipid structural and biochemical data.
• The resource became an ELIXIR-UK data resource in 2020, highlighting its significance in the bioinformatics landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the expansion of existing LIPID MAPS databases with enhanced metadata, including literature provenance and taxonomic data.
• To detail improvements in interoperability to facilitate Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data compliance.
• To report on the development of new lipid-specific databases and updated lipidomics tools, alongside enhanced community training and engagement.

Main Methods:

• Expansion of existing databases with richer metadata and literature provenance.
• Integration of taxonomic data and improved interoperability features for FAIR compliance.
• Collaboration with WikiPathways for curating and hosting pathway data, annotating lipids within biochemical pathways.
• Updating search infrastructure, implementing programmatic access via API and SPARQL.
• Development of new lipid-specific databases and updating existing lipidomics tools.

Main Results:

• Enhanced LIPID MAPS databases now feature richer metadata, literature provenance, and taxonomic data.
• Improved interoperability facilitates greater compliance with FAIR data principles.
• New lipid-specific databases and updated lipidomics tools have been developed and released.
• Programmatic access via API and SPARQL has been implemented, enhancing data retrieval and integration.
• Expanded training and engagement initiatives, including webinars, podcasts, and an online training school, have been launched.

Conclusions:

• The expanded LIPID MAPS resource offers significantly enhanced capabilities for lipid data organization, retrieval, and analysis.
• Improvements in FAIR compliance and programmatic access make lipidomics data more accessible and reusable for the scientific community.
• Ongoing development and community engagement ensure LIPID MAPS remains a vital resource for lipid research and education.