OpenCCDB to launch on June 30, 2010
OpenCCDB (http://openccdb.org) will emerge from beta testing on June 30, 2010, the newest in a long line of robust web-supported data and software projects from CRBS. OpenCCDB is an offshoot of the Cell Centered Database (CCDB) project, a project designed to provide the means for scientists to store and share imaging data from high resolution 2D, 3D and 4D microscopic imaging. Under the support from a community software grant from the National Institutes of Health, we have developed an open source version of the CCDB, specifically designed for community use and development. OpenCCDB is designed to extend the capabilities of the public CCDB, providing a set of robust core services and the facilities needed for CCDB data and software to be shared, modified, edited and documented by multiple users of the system. OpenCCDB is built on completely open source software platform and will be made freely available to the community, along with documentation, community tools, a secure portal and services. OpenCCDB has a completely redesigned schema, with better support for techniques such as serial tomography, specimen tracking, automated upload and a more flexible design for the experimental and specimen preparation.
OpenCCDB provides a complete set of data input forms on a secure infrastructure, allowing researchers to manage their data privately and share it with colleagues. CCDB organizes imaging data into projects, and provides the means to track subjects, treatments and specimens, in addition to imaging data. OpenCCDB encourages researchers to make their data public by providing links to high resolution image services, e.g., the Web Image Browser (WIB), that can be referenced in a manuscript. The WIB is a web-based image browser customized for microscopy data that allows users to turn on and off different channels, adjust the contrast and annotate very large 2D and 3D data through the web. OpenCCDB is also working with projects such as the Neuroscience Information Framework to provide annotation services for biomedical data to make them easier to search and interpret.
