| 1. | Who can get an account on BOLD? |
| The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) is freely available to all interested parties. This means that anyone can create an account, access public barcode records, upload their own data and have access to all features available on BOLD. For more information on how to create an account and get started please visit our online documentation at Create an Account on BOLD.
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| 2. | How do I upload data to BOLD? |
| With the exception of Specimen Data, which must be submitted first, all other data such as Sequences, Trace Files and Images may be submitted to BOLD in any order. Single specimen submissions can be uploaded manually via the "Project Console" page under the heading "Uploads" by selecting "Specimen Data". Batch specimen submissions can be uploaded by filling out the template SpecimenData.xls spreadsheet and uploading the file to your BOLD project by selecting "Specimen Data" and "Upload" and then "Initiate Batch Upload". Your batch data submission will be placed in the queue and BOLD data managers will be able to assist you by validating and uploading your records in a timely fashion. For more details on how to upload your data, please visit our online documentation at Data Submission Protocol or contact support@boldsystems.org for assistance.
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| 3. | How do you change your account details (password and email address) on BOLD? |
| * Coming Soon * User details can be modified under the heading "Project Options" found in the "Project List" page.
Note: Until this function is released, requests to modify user details can be sent to support@boldsystems.org.
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| 4. | How do I find process ID's for uploading sequences to my records? |
| Process Identifiers (IDs) are unique identifiers generated by BOLD upon the submission of a new record. These IDs can be retrieved by selecting to download "Data Spreadsheets" from your project console and are listed on the "Progress Report" worksheet. For more information about uploading sequences to your records, please visit our online documentation at Sequence Submission Protocol.
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| 5. | How do I find process ID's for uploading trace/image files to my records? |
| Process Identifiers (IDs) are unique identifiers generated by BOLD upon the submission of a new record. These IDs can be retrieved by selecting to download "Data Spreadsheets" from your project console and are listed on the "Progress Report" worksheet. For more information about uploading trace files to your records, please visit our online documentation at Trace Submission Protocol. For more information about uploading image files to your records, please visit our online documentation at Image Submission Protocol.
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| 6. | How do I access the analytical tools found on BOLD? |
| BOLD analytical tools are available for any data set that exists in BOLD (including publicly available data). Analytical tools can be accessed through the BOLD"Project Console" under the headings "Sequences Analysis" or "Specimen Aggregates". Some examples include Taxon ID Tree, Alignment Viewer, Distribution Maps, and Image Library.
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| 7. | How do I access the BOLD Identification Engine? |
| The BOLD Identification Engine is available from the BOLD main page for identifying sequences that have not yet been uploaded to BOLD. Simply past a sequence in fasta format and select the appropriate database from which to search. The Identification Engine is also available for any record that exists in BOLD from within the sequence record page. For more information about the Identification Engine, please visit our online documentation at Sequence Identification Engine.
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| 8. | How do I submit my records to Genbank? |
| The project manager of any BOLD project can submit records directly from BOLD to Genbank by selecting "Submit to GenBank" on the Project Console. For more details, please visit our online documentation at Genbank Submission or contact the BOLD Support Team at support@boldsystems.org.
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| 9. | I have submitted my records to Genbank directly through BOLD. Where can I find the Genbank accessions listed within my BOLD project? |
| Your Genbank accessions are listed under "Project Summary - specimens, localities and Genbank" or "Summary - Specimens, Localities, and Identifiers". These page can be accessed via the Project Console under the heading "Publication" and the Record List page under the heading "Options". For more information on the "Project Summary" page please visit our online documentation at Project Summary.
Genbank accessions can also be viewed within individual "Sequence Record" pages under the heading "Barcode Identifiers".
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| 10. | Why is my sequence not matching anything in the identification engine? |
| The library of sequences collected in BOLD is available for facilitating identification of unknown sequences. It is possible that your species of interest has not yet had any sequences submitted to BOLD. The ID engine uses all sequences uploaded to BOLD from public, as well as private projects to locate the closest match. However, no sequence information is exposed from private records. For more information on the Identification Engine, please visit our online documentation at Sequence Identification Engine.
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| 11. | How do I obtain permission to use images found in the Taxonomy Browser on BOLD? |
| Please contact support@boldsystems.org with your request and provide the sample ID and taxon associated with this image (scroll over the image and copy the number that is found underneath the species name). In order to protect the privacy of our users, BOLD staff will facilitate requests for access to private data by sending your request to the owner of the image on your behalf. If the owner of the image would like to share their data or collaborate, they may choose to contact you directly or through a data manager. Should they choose not to share their data, they also have the option to ignore the request.
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| 12. | If I am not associated with an institution, how do I register myself on BOLD? |
| Users that are not affiliated with an institution can register a personal unaffiliated institution in the place of an institution under the naming scheme "Research Collection of ___". Personal address and phone number can be used to fill out details on the "Add New Institution" form.
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| 13. | In the Taxonomy Browser, I see that records exist on BOLD for a particular taxon. How do I request access to private data? |
| Please contact support@boldsystems.org with your request indicating the taxon of interest and details about your project. In order to protect the privacy of our users, BOLD staff will facilitate requests for access to private data by sending your request and project details to the owner of the data on your behalf. If the owner of the records would like to share their data or collaborate, they may choose to contact you directly or through a data manager. Should they choose not to share their data, they also have the option to ignore the request.
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