About IGSN

The application and long-term utility of sample­ based data are critically dependent on the availability of information (metadata) about the samples, links to other data sets derived from individual samples, and access to the samples themselves. Major problems for achieving this include incomplete documentation of samples in publications, use of ambiguous sample names, and the lack of web-accessible catalogues that allow finding out about existing samples and their archiving location. Using persistent identifiers for physical samples, such as the International Generic Sample Number (IGSN), provides solutions.

The IGSN ID is a globally unique, persistent, domain-agnostic identifier for material samples. Samples can be any material from anywhere in the universe, not only from Earth. Even though IGSN had its roots in geosciences, it really is now for all sample types from all disciplines.

Benefits of using IGSN IDs

1. Efficient sample management

IGSNs create an efficient way to manage research samples, making it easier for researchers to keep track of them and ensuring they can be located when needed. When an IGSN is assigned to a sample, the sample can be tracked and traced from that moment until the sample is analysed and the research is published. Efficient management continues after that, enabling further research on the sample.

2. Facilitating the use of samples in research addressing long-term challenges

The application and long-term utility of sample-based data are critically dependent on:

• availability of information (metadata) about the samples, such as geographical location and time of sampling

• links to other data sets derived from individual samples that are dispersed in the literature and in digital data repositories, and

    access to the samples themselves.

Major problems for achieving this include incomplete documentation of samples in publications, the use of ambiguous sample names, and the lack of a central catalogue that allows finding a sample’s archiving location.

Reuse of samples and specimens can also be problematic. Many samples are hidden away in archives, particularly samples held in archives following old studies. It can be difficult to get access to databases with information about the samples.

There is a problem in research that seeks to make use of old samples because, even if you can get access to it, the metadata is in inconsistent formats and is difficult to join up with metadata from other collections.

IGSNs can help with this problem because the metadata is findable and available, and consistently formatted.

3. Improved data sharing

IGSNs make it easier for researchers and collection managers to make samples available to others. Not all researchers are comfortable with sharing data, but it becomes important at the nexus of the big challenges facing humanity and unique samples that can never be taken again. It is also important for the reproducibility of research. When a sample has an IGSN, it can be easily linked to other samples and collections, making it easier for reuse and collaboration.

4. Increased Visibility

By using IGSNs, researchers can increase the visibility of their samples and research. When samples are assigned IGSNs, they become part of a global database, which means that they can be easily discovered by others. This can lead to increased citations and recognition for the researcher, as well as increased opportunities for collaboration and funding.

5. Standardisation

IGSNs help to standardise the way in which samples are identified, described, and tracked, which helps with interoperability across systems.

6. Linking

The use of persistent identifiers in digital data systems allows building linkages between the digital representation of samples (sample profiles) in community-governed portals and their related data in the literature and in web­ accessible digital data repositories. This enables a web of interlinked metadata, creating a full and descriptive picture from contextual metadata.

IGSNs as the basis for FAIR

FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) provides a basis for thinking about managing research data, including physical samples, and IGSNs can play a significant role. IGSNs can support the FAIR principles as follows:

• Findable
  IGSNs make samples findable by providing a unique and persistent identifier that can be used to locate and access them. This ensures that samples remain findable over time and can be discovered and cited if appropriate.

• Accessible
  IGSNs provide a means of accessing samples that are distributed across multiple repositories, as well as the metadata describing them.

• Interoperable
  IGSNs help to ensure interoperability by providing a common standard for identifying and describing samples. This allows different systems and platforms to recognise and understand the metadata associated with samples, making it easier to integrate metadata and samples across different systems.

• Reusable
  IGSNs enable researchers to cite and reference samples with confidence, knowing that they will persist and remain accessible over time. This encourages the reuse of research outputs and ensures that they are properly attributed and credited to the original authors.

Licensing

IGSN is a registered trademark  (EU IPO No. No 018134664). Its use has been licensed to DataCite under the IGSN DataCite Partnership.