Workshop to Investigate an Integrated Data Architecture for Paleogenomics, Micropaleontology, and Macropaleontology; May, 2020; Madison, WI

对从化石和沉积物中提取的古代DNA的研究正在彻底改变我们对过去的理解。由于许多物种在化石记录中保存得不好，我们对物种过去的位置的了解有限。古代DNA可以检测到许多生活在过去的物种。因此，了解物种如何迁徙或以其他方式在过去的环境变化中幸存下来是可能发生的。古老的DNA还可以检测到过去由于物种灭绝而造成的遗传多样性的丧失。然而，作为一种数据类型，古代DNA介于用于存储遗传数据的数据库和用于存储化石数据的其他类型数据库之间。由于这一差距，研究人员不能轻易地收集古代DNA数据来研究大时空尺度上的生物多样性变化。该项目将支持一个由古代DNA、生物多样性数据库和古生物数据库方面的领先研究人员组成的研讨会，以建立新的存档和共享古代DNA数据的系统。研讨会将允许研究人员和教育工作者更开放地获取古代DNA数据。这将使更强大的综合研究方法和真实的教学体验成为可能。讲习班的具体目标包括：1)审查古代DNA数据的现状；2)审查现有网络基础设施在基因组学和古生态学方面的现有能力；3)确定现有资源之间的差距和错位；4)为社区资源中的数据和元数据报告建立优先事项和初步标准；以及5)设想建立沉积古代DNA的信息学基础设施。参加这次研讨会的人将最大限度地进行跨学科的思想交流。研讨会将包括来自传统上在科学和技术领域代表性不足的群体的早期职业研究人员。最终，研讨会将为研究古代DNA的研究人员提供指导和资源。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Our understanding of the past is being revolutionized by the study of ancient DNA recovered from fossils and sediments. Because many species do not preserve well in the fossil record, our knowledge is limited about the past locations of species. Ancient DNA can allow the detection of many species that lived in the past. Therefore, understanding how species migrate or otherwise survive past environmental changes can occur. Ancient DNA can also allow the detection of past losses of genetic diversity, due to species extinctions. However, as a data type, ancient DNA falls in a gap between databases designed to store genetic data and other kinds of databases designed to store fossil data. Because of this gap, researchers cannot easily assemble ancient DNA data to study biodiversity changes at large spatial and temporal scales. This project will support a workshop of leading researchers in ancient DNA, biodiversity databases, and paleontological databases, to build new systems for archiving and sharing ancient DNA data. The workshop will allow more open access to ancient DNA data by both researchers and educators. This access will enable more powerful integrative research approaches and authentic teaching experiences. Specific workshop goals include: 1) review the current state of the art with respect to ancient DNA data; 2) review the current capabilities of existing cyberinfrastructures in genomics and paleoecology; 3) identify gaps and misalignments among existing resources; 4) establish priorities and initial standards for data and metadata reporting in community resources; and 5) envision the establishment of an informatics infrastructure for sedimentary ancient DNA. The people attending this workshop will maximize interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. The workshop will include early career researchers from groups traditionally underrepresented in science and technology. Ultimately, the workshop will produce guidance and resources for researchers working with ancient DNA.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.