Expanding the concept of ID conversion in TogoID by introducing multi-semantic and label features.

Abstract

Background: TogoID ( https://togoid.dbcls.jp/ ) is an identifier (ID) conversion service designed to link IDs across diverse categories of life science databases. With its ability to obtain IDs related in different semantic relationships, a user-friendly web interface, and a regular automatic data update system, TogoID has been a valuable tool for bioinformatics.

Results: We have recently expanded TogoID's ability to represent semantics between datasets, enabling it to handle multiple semantic relationships within dataset pairs. This enhancement enables TogoID to distinguish relationships such as "glycans bind to proteins" or "glycans are processed by proteins" between glycans and proteins. Additional new features include the ability to display labels corresponding to database IDs, making it easier to interpret the relationships between the various IDs available in TogoID, and the ability to convert labels to IDs, extending the entry point for ID conversion. The implementation of URL parameters, which reproduces the state of TogoID's web application, allows users to share complex search results through a simple URL.

Conclusions: These advancements improve TogoID's utility in bioinformatics, allowing researchers to explore complex ID relationships. By introducing the tool's multi-semantic and label features, TogoID expands the concept of ID conversion and supports more comprehensive and efficient data integration across life science databases.