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The Image Metadata cycle

  • Each step of the bioimage data life-cycle generates metadata
  • Metadata must be collected and organized during data production
  • Metadata must be both human (e.g., Materials and Methods) and machine (e.g., XML, JSON-LD) readable
  • Metadata must be in sync with the data
  • Metadata should be defined using community standards such as the REMBI and NBO-Q Microscopy Metadata specifications.
The Recommended Metadata for Biological Images (REMBI) provide a framework to specify the metadata associated with each step of an imaging experiment data cycle. REMBI includes 8 metadata modules that cover the whole image-data life cycle (image credit: Sarkans, et al. 2021. Nat Methods 18, 1418–1422).