metaTraits
metaTraits – Unified Microbial Trait Resource
metaTraits is a unified microbial trait resource that integrates experimentally derived trait information with genome-based trait predictions. It combines culture-derived data from resources such as BacDive, BV-BRC, JGI IMG, and GOLD with predictions for isolate genomes and metagenome-assembled genomes from proGenomes and SPIRE. Covering more than 2.2 million genomes and over 140 harmonized traits, metaTraits enables users to explore microbial morphology, physiology, metabolism, environmental preferences, and lifestyle features in a standardized framework.
Key benefits
Integrates culture-derived traits and genome-based trait predictions
Covers more than 2.2 million isolate and metagenome-assembled genomes
Provides over 140 harmonized microbial traits mapped to standardized ontologies
Links records to original evidence and source databases
Cross-referenced to both NCBI and GTDB taxonomies
Applications
Exploration of microbial traits across genomes and habitats
Comparative analysis of morphology, physiology, metabolism, and lifestyle features
Linking microbial genomes to environmental preferences such as temperature, salinity, and oxygen tolerance
Trait-based interpretation of microbiome and metagenomics datasets
Selection of organisms or genome groups based on functional or ecological traits
Intended use
metaTraits is intended for microbiome researchers, microbial ecologists, bioinformaticians, comparative genomics researchers, and data curators who need standardized access to microbial trait information. It is particularly suited for users who want to compare traits across microbial genomes, connect metagenomic findings with ecological or physiological properties, or integrate trait data into large-scale microbiome analyses.
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