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International Generic Sample Number (IGSN)

International Generic Sample Number Organization e.V.
Germany
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About

Launched: 2011
Record Updated: Nov 07, 2024
Persistent identifier service
The IGSN is a persistent unique identifier for physical samples and specimens that eliminates the problems associated with the ambiguous naming of samples. The IGSN registration service helps discover, access, and share samples, ensure preservation of and access to sample data, aid identification of samples in the literature, and advance the exchange of digital sample data among interoperable data systems, thus maximizing the utility of samples for research, education, and society.
In 2022, IGSN and DataCite entered a strategic partnership to provide a globally recognised persistent identifier for sample identification and tracking, based on DataCite Digital Object Identifiers (DOI), that facilitates the efficient sharing of samples and their associated metadata among researchers, institutions, and databases. IGSN IDs are now based on DataCite infrastructures and registered through DataCite services.

Mission

The objective of the IGSN e.V. is to implement and promote standard methods for identifying, citing, and locating physical samples with confidence by operating an international IGSN registration service.
Additionally, IGSN e.V. works to promote the use of IGSNs in research and to establish partnerships with other data infrastructures to enhance the integration and interoperability of sample data and metadata. The organisation also provides a range of services related to IGSNs, such as training, support, and software tools for managing and sharing sample data and metadata.

Key Achievements

Since 2011, more than ten million IGSN IDs have been registered.

Technical Attributes

Maintenance Status

Actively Maintained

Open Code Repository

Implemented
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Technical Documentation

Implemented
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Code License

Implemented
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Open API

Implemented
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Technical Attribute Statements

Technology Readiness Level

  • Actual system proven in operational environment

Code Licenses Used

  • MIT License

Content Licensing

  • Creative commons licenses

Standards

Hosting Options

  • Through solution only

Service Providers

https://ev.igsn.org/resources/igsn-agents-and-registration

Integrations

  • DataCite

Policies & Governance

Policies

Bylaws

Implemented
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Web Accessibility Statement

In Progress

Governance Records

In Progress

Governance Structure & Processes

Implemented
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Transparent Pricing and Cost Expectations

Implemented
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Policy Statements

Board Structure

  • Advisory board or steering committee

Board Level

The Executive Board is responsible for all affairs of the Association to the extent not entrusted to any other constituent body of the Association by its statutes. Its responsibilities include preparing and convening the General Assembly, appointing working groups, implementing resolutions of the General Assembly, accounting, etc.

Additional Information

Organizational History

The IGSN was developed as part of SESAR with the support of the National Science Foundation at the Lamont–Doherty Earth Observatory. The project was initiated and managed by the Geoinformatics for Geochemistry Program under the direction of Kerstin Lehnert to address data curation obstacles such as different samples that share the same name and samples that are renamed as they move between laboratories and thus generating analyses that are published under different aliases. As a result, metadata that ensures unique identification is often missing, and this causes irritation for future reuse of data from a sample or the sample itself. Sample databases, such as the SESAR database, are designed to address these issues.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Generic_Sample_Number

Organizational Structure

Business or Ownership Model

Non-profit organization

Full-time Staff

1-5

Volunteers

11-20

Current Affiliations

DataCite e.V.
SESAR
GFZ Data Services
Kiel University IGSN Service
Lithodat Pty Ltd
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer

Funding

Primary Funding Source

  • Contributions
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