Using semantic web technologies to power LungMAP, a molecular data repository

As scientific research evolves, data continue to grow at an exponential rate. This growth calls for a need for more data repositories to store the data, and the creation of additional centralized repositories to provide standards for researchers. Common data repositories allow for collaboration and easier sharing of data, critical for further advancement of scientific understanding of a variety of topics. LungMAP (the Molecular Atlas of Lung Development) is an open-access reference resource that provides a comprehensive molecular atlas of the normal developing lung in humans and mice and provides data and reagents to the research community. The database utilizes RDF, SPARQL, and OWL. LungMAP exemplifies the use of semantic web technologies to provide a collaborative and open access data application for the scientific research community.