This week's highlights
Publishers encouraged to adopt DOME machine learning recommendations
The DOME (data, optimisation, model and evaluation) recommendations were developed by the ELIXIR Machine Learning Focus Group and described in a 2021 paper, since viewed over 22,000 times. Following the adoption of the DOME machine learning recommendations by GigaScience Press, publishers of machine learning life science research are being encouraged to follow suit.
Read the news
Recommended reads
Adaptive evolution of stress response genes in parasites aligns with host niche diversity
An ELIXIR Czech Republic paper
Stress responses are key to the survival of parasites and also the evolutionary success of these organisms. Despite this importance, our understanding of the evolution of molecular pathways dealing with environmental stressors in parasitic animals remains limited. Here, the researchers tested the link between adaptive evolution of parasite stress response genes and their ecological diversity and species richness. This study potentially identifies the first molecular function linked to a flatworm radiation. The observed gene duplications and positive selection indicate the potentially important role of stress responses for the ecological adaptation of parasite species.
Read more
RepeatsDB in 2025: expanding annotations of structured tandem repeats proteins on AlphaFoldDB
An ELIXIR Italy paper
RepeatsDB stands as a key resource for the classification and annotation of Structured Tandem Repeat Proteins, incorporating data from both the Protein Data Bank and AlphaFoldDB. This latest release features substantial advancements, including annotations for over 34,000 unique protein sequences from over 2,000 organisms, representing a fifteenfold increase in coverage. RepeatsDB now offers faster and more precise detection of STRPs across both experimental and predicted structures. Key improvements include a redesigned user interface and enhanced web server, providing an intuitive browsing experience with improved data searchability and accessibility.
Read more
Updates from Nodes
GA4GH announces refget Sequence Collections
The Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) has announced the release of refget Sequence Collections, a newly approved product that simplifies the management and comparison of reference genome assemblies developed by researchers including those at EMBL-EBI and ELIXIR.
Read the news
ELIXIR Finland use case story:
Vinca alkaloids Madagascars gift to cancer treatment
More than 200 alkaloid compounds are found in the Madagascar periwinkle, of which vinca alkaloids, are used in medicinal treatments. Information on vinca alkaloids can be found in many databases, such as ChEMBL, BioStudies, UniProt and Reactome, providing information on pharmacological properties, target proteins, mechanisms and cellular effects.
Read more
SIB contributes to launching the African Bioinformatics Institute
The SIB executive management team participated in a preparatory conference for the launch of the African Bioinformatics Institute, sharing experience in building effective and scalable infrastructures. This initiative will strengthen collaboration in Africa and beyond and contribute to sustainable development, improved health outcomes, and enhanced quality of life across the continent.
Register now for the 17th edition of the [BC]2 conference
8-10 September 2025 | Basel, Switzerland
This years [BC]2 conference focuses on Bioinformatics meets AI: shaping the future of data-driven biology. The programme includes keynotes, thematic tracks and a special session for SIB recognition programmes.
More information and registration
Updates from Communities
New co-lead of the Food and Nutrition Community
Maria Traka from Quadram Institute replaced Jan Stanstrup to become the new co-lead of the Food and Nutrition Community.
A big thank you to Jan Stanstrup for his work as a co-lead and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to the Community.
Updates from other initiatives
First edition of the EOSC Federation Handbook
The Handbook provides an overview of the organisational and operational structure, and technical characteristics, of the EOSC Federation. It aims to serve as a practical guide for organisations that are interested in making their resources available within and across the EOSC Federation of nodes.
Find out more
Why EOSC is pivotal to European competitiveness
This document provides an accessible narrative on EOSC in the context of current political and policy developments. It outlines how EOSC can contribute to addressing the strategic challenges and the broader priorities of the Competitiveness Compass for the EU.
Read more
Upcoming ELIXIR events & webinars
ELIXIR Training Courses & Webinars
The ELIXIR TeSS portal has a variety of interesting events and courses organised by the ELIXIR Nodes. For more, visit TeSS portal
SIB course: Introduction to Bayesian statistics with R
5-6 May 2025 | Basel, Switzerland
SIB course: Introduction to metagenomics data analysis of microbial communities
7-9 May 2025 | Fribourg, Switzerland
SIB course: Gene expression made useful easily: tools and database of Bgee
16 May 2025 | Online
SIB course: Using Large Language Models for biodata exploration: From Theory to practice
19 May 2025 | Lausanne, Switzerland
SIB: Introduction to machine learning with Python
26 May, 2, 16 & 23 June 2025 | Online
Summer school machine learning and AI
24-29 August 2025 | Geetbets, Belgium
ELIXIR Events and Conferences
ELIXIR Microbiome Community F2F/hybrid meeting
9-10 April 2025 | Hybrid - Barcelona, Spain
ELIXIR Biodiversity Community F2F/hybrid meeting
10-11 April 2025 | Hybrid - Barcelona, Spain
ELIXIR All Hands 2025
2-5 June 2025 | Thessaloniki, Greece
ELIXIR Bioinformatics Industry Forum (EBIF) 2025
17 June 2025 | London, UK
Job vacancies
All vacancies are also published on the ELIXIR website (also including those from industry). If you need our help communicating your new open positions, you can submit a job advertisement and it will automatically appear on our newsletters. Go to our vacancy page to submit a job