dbBact

dbBact is a cutting-edge community knowledge base dedicated to microbial ecology, designed to help researchers and enthusiasts answer the crucial question: "Where have I seen this bacterial sequence before?" It serves as a summary of manual observations from numerous amplicon sequencing experiments, allowing users to access and contribute to a wealth of microbial data.

Accessible via its website, dbBact offers multiple integration methods, including a QIIME2 plugin for visualization and analysis, and a Calour module for interactive heatmap exploration. With a focus on subOTU sequences, dbBact standardizes the representation of microbes without dependency on specific primer sets, primarily utilizing the Earth Microbiome Project V4 region.

Users can enhance dbBact's database by adding anonymous or named annotations that detail various observations about bacterial groups, such as differential expression or contamination. The platform includes robust querying capabilities, allowing researchers to explore sequences, taxonomies, and annotation terms easily. The collaborative effort of experts from Sheba Medical Center and The Open University of Israel drives its development, ensuring dbBact remains at the forefront of microbial research.