A case study involving ELIXIR has demonstrated the value and impact of UniProt, the universal protein resource. The study, part of the PathOS EU-funded project, found estimated annual gains per user ranging from 3,513 to 5,475 euros, in addition to long-term benefits for accelerating discoveries and innovation. This impressive return on investment strengthens the case for sustainable funding for global open science resources.
Understanding proteins
UniProt is a suite of databases that act as the leading global data resource for protein sequence and functional information. Co-developed by EMBL-EBI, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) and Protein Information Resource (PIR), the open resource provides curated annotations on protein function, domains and modifications, along with advanced tools for searching, analysis and visualisation. The aim of the study was to investigate how the cost of creating and running the resource, including the highly specialised and resource-intensive curation of data, compares with the benefits for users and wider society.
An economic view
The ability to demonstrate impact is essential to support strategic planning, stakeholder engagement and to make a case for sustainable funding. The impact of open science is difficult to measure because its benefits, such as widespread access, reuse and collaboration, are diffuse, indirect and long ranging.
The study was carried out by CSIL, an economic research institute, and was a test case of their cost benefit analysis framework designed to measure the value and impact of open science resources. In addition to the cost-benefit analysis - which focused on the direct impacts accruing to users - the broader impacts of UniProt on science, the economy and society at large were also investigated using an impact pathway approach. The study used a variety of data collection and analytical approaches, including desk research, a user survey, interviews, focus groups and analysis of citations and patents.
Efficiency benefits
Cost-benefit analysis showed that UniProt’s main short-term benefit to users is increased efficiency, leading to time and cost savings. On average, users saved between €3,513 and €5,475 annually through reduced time spent on work and research tasks. The savings were boosted by the accessibility and interoperability of UniProt data, along with the unique value added by the expert annotation of protein sequences. The study found that this work – particularly expert data curation by SIB and EMBL-EBI – cannot be accomplished by other existing organisations.
Supporting research and innovation
To understand UniProt’s long-term outcomes, researchers examined how it is cited in scientific and patent literature. UniProt and its resources are mentioned in over 15,200 scientific publications and more than 183,000 patent publications across 44,747 distinct patent families. 164 patent applications reference UniProt or its resources in the title or abstract, indicating their central role in these patented innovations.
Surveying impact
Other long-term effects, such as the establishment of collaborations between universities and the private sector and the generation of spin-offs and start-ups, emerged from the user surveys and interviews. Survey respondents indicated that no other resource offered UniProt’s unique combination of protein data quality, coverage and integration. 74% said that, without UniProt, they would not have access to the same data from restricted or closed resources, and 68% reported they wouldn’t be able recreate the same data.
“At a time when many data resources face serious funding challenges, the case study sends a clear message: UniProt is a strategic, high-impact asset. Sustaining it is not just good for life science – it’s an essential investment in innovation, economic growth, and human and planetary well-being.”
Alan Bridge, Director of SIB’s Swiss-Prot group, UniProt Principal Investigator
“This independent cost-benefit analysis reinforces our belief that UniProt is a cornerstone of biological data infrastructure - one that empowers researchers and industry professionals to achieve meaningful advances. It’s a testament to the dedication of our team, funders, and collaborators. The findings make a strong case for continued investment in UniProt, in open-access scientific infrastructure more broadly, and in the resources that drive discovery and innovation across the life sciences.” Alex Bateman, Head of Protein Sequence Resources, UniProt Principal Investigator
Sustainable funding for infrastructure
UniProt is a key part of the ELIXIR, SIB and EMBL-EBI infrastructure. It is one of ELIXIR’s Core Data Resources, and a Global Core Biodata Resource, and EMBL-EBI and SIB are ELIXIR Nodes. The analysis provides UniProt’s funders – the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI), EMBL and the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) – with evidence of the impact of their investments. The findings will also support efforts to advocate for long-term funding for critical biodata resources.