OpenWetWare:Nature Methods article

Title

OpenWetWare Protocols: an open-access online protocol resource for everyone.

Manuscript Type

Brief correspondence

Authors

Corresponding Author: James Hadfield, CRUK Cambridge Research Institute, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 0RE. Tel: +44 (0)1223 404250; Fax: +44 (0)1223 404208; email: james.hadfield@cancer.org.uk. OpenWetWare steering committee: http://openwetware.org/wiki/OpenWetWare:Steering_committee_members

Note: This paper is being written and edited by any number of authors and the submission will be made after at least three OWW steering committee members agree it is ready. I am pretty sure this is not something that has been done before and we would like to be the first to use this method of writing and submission. It could prove a very useful way of creating methods and review articles.

Abstract

OpenWetWare (ref 1), a Wiki (explained in more detail in artice), is an effort to promote the sharing of information, know-how, and wisdom among researchers and groups who are working in biology & biological engineering. OWW provides a place for labs, individuals, and groups to organize their own information and collaborate with others easily and efficiently. OpenWetWare: Protocols is a section of the OWW environment dedicated to protocols ranging from basic miniprep to microarray labelling; BLAST to x-ray crystallography model-building and anything else users care to add or edit. Protocols are available in two basic forms; lab and consensus. Lab protocols are specific to the lab or person that wrote them, although they are generally very useful to anyone wanting to know how to perform a new experimental procedure. It is generally good Wiki etiquette not to edit lab protocols. Consensus protocols are a not a new idea (e.g. ref 2) are created when more than one lab protocol is available to choose from. They are the consensus opinion on how to perform an experimental procedure. Al Lab specifc protocols are referenced in the consensus protocol. Anyone can edit, add notes, suggest alternative regents or equipment and even indicate pricing information on a consensus protocol.

References

1: http://openwetware.org/wiki/Main_Page
2: T. Maniatis et al., in Molecular Cloning. A. Laboratory Manual. CSH Lab. N.Y. (1989)