Poseidon: An information retrieval and extraction system for metagenomic marine science

Gathering data has always presented a considerable challenge for scientists, whether it is done in laboratories or through reading specialized journals. It becomes particularly difficult in fields that generate a lot of publications, such as marine microbiology. Professionals interested in environments of seas and oceans, and organisms inhabiting them are faced with a flood of information on a daily basis. It is so because new papers on genetic samples and metagenomes of marine origin are being issued, and that is why the participants of the MetaFunctions project found it necessary to develop a new efficient way of extracting, processing, and storing data. As a result a new system, called Poseidon, was created, offering a convenient alternative to manual extraction of marine microbiology-related information.

► We have created a system (‘Poseidon’) for an automatic data retrieval and extraction.
► We have created marine metagenomic dictionaries for various components of the system.
► We made the system changeable in order for it to serve in different areas of research.
► Except for administrator acceptance, the system can process thousands of papers in a minute.
► Using the system improves the speed and quality of gathered data from publications.