← All checklists

MIxS Checklist · ERC000047

GSC MIMAGS

Genomic Standards Consortium package extension for reporting of measurements and observations obtained from the environment where the sample was obtained. By choosing the environmental package, a selection of fields can be made from a relevant subsets of the GSC terms.

57 fields18 requiredmixsv1.0.0
SeqDesk offers this GSC MIxS environment checklist when you define studies and samples, so contributors enter exactly the metadata the standard expects. The catalog is kept in sync with the upstream GSC MIxS / ENA checklist definitions (registry v2), last updated 2026-06-03, and is published through our registry API. Source: https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/ERC000047.

Organism characteristics: ecosystem

relationship to oxygenOptional
relationship_to_oxygen

Is this organism an aerobe, anaerobe? Please note that aerobic and anaerobic are valid descriptors for microbial environments

select7 options

sample collection: methods, storage and transport

sample collection deviceOptional
sample_collection_device

The device used to collect an environmental sample. It is recommended to use terms listed under environmental sampling device (http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO) and/or terms listed under specimen collection device (http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/GENEPIO_0002094).

text
sample collection methodOptional
sample_collection_method

The method employed for collecting the sample. Can be provided in the form of a PMID, DOI, url or text.

text

sample collection: core sample properties

metagenomic sourceRequired
metagenomic_source

The metagenomic source of the sample. This value should contain “metagenome” and be in the taxonomy database e.g. wastewater metagenome or human gut metagenome. Please note “metagenome” alone will not be accepted. Check here for more details on metagenome taxonomy: https://ena-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/faq_taxonomy.html#environmental-taxonomic-classifications

text
sample derived fromRequired
sample_derived_from

Reference to parental sample(s) or original run(s) that the assembly is derived from. The referenced samples or runs should already be registered in INSDC. This should be formatted as one of the following. A single sample/run e.g. ERSxxxxxx OR a comma separated list e.g. ERSxxxxxx,ERSxxxxxx OR a range e.g. ERSxxxxxx-ERSxxxxxx

text

non-sample terms: study or project

project nameRequired
project_name

Name of the project within which the sequencing was organized

text

non-sample terms

multiplex identifiersOptional
multiplex_identifiers

Molecular barcodes, called Multiplex Identifiers (MIDs), that are used to specifically tag unique samples in a sequencing run. Sequence should be reported in uppercase letters

text
relevant electronic resourcesOptional
relevant_electronic_resources

A related resource that is referenced, cited, or otherwise associated to the sequence in the format of a PMID, DOI or URL

text
relevant standard operating proceduresOptional
relevant_standard_operating_procedures

Standard operating procedures used in assembly and/or annotation of genomes, metagenomes or environmental sequences in the format of a PMID, DOI or URL

text
number of standard tRNAs extractedOptional
number_of_standard_trnas_extracted

The total number of tRNAs identified from the bin, SAG or MAG

text
feature predictionOptional
feature_prediction

Method used to predict UViGs features such as ORFs, integration site, etc. Add names and versions of software(s), parameters used

text
similarity search methodOptional
similarity_search_method

Tool used to compare ORFs with database, along with version and cutoffs used. Add names and versions of software(s), parameters used

text
16s recoveredOptional
16s_recovered

Can a 16S gene be recovered from the submitted bin, SAG or MAG?

select2 options
16S recovery softwareOptional
16s_recovery_software

Tools used for 16S rRNA gene extraction. Add names and versions of software(s), parameters used

text
tRNA extraction softwareOptional
trna_extraction_software

Tools used for tRNA identification. Add names and versions of software(s), parameters used

text
completeness scoreRequired
completeness_score

Completeness score is typically based on either the fraction of markers found as compared to a database or the percent of a genome found as compared to a closely related reference genome. Completeness score is one of 3 attributes which in combination reflect the standard quality of a MAG, see here for more information: https://ena-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/faq_metagenomes.html. Mandatory for all samples directly linked with SAGs or MAGs.

text
completeness softwareRequired
completeness_software

Tools used for completion estimate, i.e. checkm, anvi'o, busco. Mandatory for all samples directly linked with SAGs or MAGs.

text
completeness approachOptional
completeness_approach

The approach used to determine the completeness of a given bin, SAG or MAG, which would typically make use of a set of conserved marker genes or a closely related reference genome. For UViG completeness, include reference genome or group used, and contig feature suggesting a complete genome

text
contamination scoreRequired
contamination_score

The contamination score is based on the fraction of single-copy genes that are observed more than once in a query genome. Contamination score is one of 3 attributes which in combination reflect the standard quality of a MAG, see here for more information: https://ena-docs.readthedocs.io/en/latest/faq_metagenomes.html. If contamination ≥ 10% then please submit as a binned assembly. In SAGs, contamination score is mandatory for prokaryotes and optional for eukaryotes.

text
contamination screening inputOptional
contamination_screening_input

The type of sequence data used as input

select2 options
contamination screening parametersOptional
contamination_screening_parameters

Specific parameters used in the decontamination sofware, such as reference database, coverage, and kmers. Combinations of these parameters may also be used, i.e. kmer and coverage, or reference database and kmer

text
decontamination softwareOptional
decontamination_software

Tool(s) used in contamination screening

text
binning softwareRequired
binning_software

Tool(s) used for the extraction of genomes from metagenomic datasets, where possible include a product ID (PID) of the tool(s) used. E.g. MetaCluster-TA (RRID:SCR_004599) or MaxBin (biotools:maxbin)

text
reassembly post binningOptional
reassembly_post_binning

Has an assembly been performed on a genome bin extracted from a metagenomic assembly?

select2 options
MAG coverage softwareOptional
mag_coverage_software

Tool(s) used to determine the genome coverage if coverage is used as a binning parameter in the extraction of genomes from metagenomic datasets e.g. bwa, bbmap, bowtie, other

text
assembly qualityRequired
assembly_quality

The assembly quality category is based on sets of criteria outlined for each assembly quality category. For MISAG/MIMAG; Finished: Single, validated, contiguous sequence per replicon without gaps or ambiguities with a consensus error rate equivalent to Q50 or better. High Quality Draft:Multiple fragments where gaps span repetitive regions. Presence of the 23S, 16S and 5S rRNA genes and at least 18 tRNAs. Medium Quality Draft:Many fragments with little to no review of assembly other than reporting of standard assembly statistics. Low Quality Draft:Many fragments with little to no review of assembly other than reporting of standard assembly statistics. Assembly statistics include, but are not limited to total assembly size, number of contigs, contig N50/L50, and maximum contig length. For MIUVIG; Finished: Single, validated, contiguous sequence per replicon without gaps or ambiguities, with extensive manual review and editing to annotate putative gene functions and transcriptional units. High-quality draft genome: One or multiple fragments, totaling ≥ 90% of the expected genome or replicon sequence or predicted complete. Genome fragment(s): One or multiple fragments, totalling < 90% of the expected genome or replicon sequence, or for which no genome size could be estimated.

select3 options
binning parametersRequired
binning_parameters

The parameters that have been applied during the extraction of genomes from metagenomic datasets e.g. coverage and kmer

text
taxonomic identity markerRequired
taxonomic_identity_marker

The phylogenetic marker(s) used to assign an organism name to the bin, SAG or MAG. Examples are 16S gene, multi-marker approach or other e.g. rpoB gene. Mandatory for all samples directly linked with SAGs or MAGs.

text

Collection event information

isolation_sourceRequired
isolation_source

describes the physical, environmental and/or local geographical source of the biological sample from which the sample was derived

text
collection dateRequired
collection_date

The date the sample was collected with the intention of sequencing, either as an instance (single point in time) or interval. In case no exact time is available, the date/time can be right truncated i.e. all of these are valid ISO8601 compliant times: 2008-01-23T19:23:10+00:00; 2008-01-23T19:23:10; 2008-01-23; 2008-01; 2008.

text
altitudeOptional
altitude

The altitude of the sample is the vertical distance between Earth's surface above Sea Level and the sampled position in the air.

text
geographic location (latitude)Required
geographic_location_latitude

The geographical origin of the sample as defined by latitude. The values should be reported in decimal degrees and in WGS84 system

text
geographic location (longitude)Required
geographic_location_longitude

The geographical origin of the sample as defined by longitude. The values should be reported in decimal degrees and in WGS84 system

text
geographic location (region and locality)Optional
geographic_location_region_and_locality

The geographical origin of the sample as defined by the specific region name followed by the locality name.

text
broad-scale environmental contextRequired
broad_scale_environmental_context

Report the major environmental system the sample or specimen came from. The system(s) identified should have a coarse spatial grain, to provide the general environmental context of where the sampling was done (e.g. in the desert or a rainforest). We recommend using subclasses of EnvO’s biome class: http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_00000428. EnvO documentation about how to use the field: https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/envo/wiki/Using-ENVO-with-MIxS.

text
local environmental contextRequired
local_environmental_context

Report the entity or entities which are in the sample or specimen’s local vicinity and which you believe have significant causal influences on your sample or specimen. We recommend using EnvO terms which are of smaller spatial grain than your entry for "broad-scale environmental context". Terms, such as anatomical sites, from other OBO Library ontologies which interoperate with EnvO (e.g. UBERON) are accepted in this field. EnvO documentation about how to use the field: https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/envo/wiki/Using-ENVO-with-MIxS.

text
environmental mediumRequired
environmental_medium

Report the environmental material(s) immediately surrounding the sample or specimen at the time of sampling. We recommend using subclasses of 'environmental material' (http://purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_00010483). EnvO documentation about how to use the field: https://github.com/EnvironmentOntology/envo/wiki/Using-ENVO-with-MIxS . Terms from other OBO ontologies are permissible as long as they reference mass/volume nouns (e.g. air, water, blood) and not discrete, countable entities (e.g. a tree, a leaf, a table top).

text
elevationOptional
elevation

The elevation of the sampling site as measured by the vertical distance from mean sea level.

text

sample collection

amount or size of sample collectedOptional
amount_or_size_of_sample_collected

The total amount or size (volume (ml), mass (g) or area (m2) ) of sample collected.

text
size fraction selectedOptional
size_fraction_selected

Filtering pore size used in sample preparation e.g. 0-0.22 micrometer

text

Organism characteristics

geographic location (country and/or sea)Required
geographic_location_country_and_or_sea

The geographical origin of where the sample was collected from, with the intention of sequencing, as defined by the country or sea name. Country or sea names should be chosen from the INSDC country list (http://insdc.org/country.html).

select288 options

Pointer to physical material

source material identifiersOptional
source_material_identifiers

A unique identifier assigned to a material sample (as defined by http://rs.tdwg.org/dwc/terms/materialSampleID, and as opposed to a particular digital record of a material sample) used for extracting nucleic acids, and subsequent sequencing. The identifier can refer either to the original material collected or to any derived sub-samples. The INSDC qualifiers /specimen_voucher, /bio_material, or /culture_collection may or may not share the same value as the source_mat_id field. For instance, the /specimen_voucher qualifier and source_mat_id may both contain 'UAM:Herps:14' , referring to both the specimen voucher and sampled tissue with the same identifier. However, the /culture_collection qualifier may refer to a value from an initial culture (e.g. ATCC:11775) while source_mat_id would refer to an identifier from some derived culture from which the nucleic acids were extracted (e.g. xatc123 or ark:/2154/R2).

text

experimental factor and block

experimental factorOptional
experimental_factor

Experimental factors are essentially the variable aspects of an experiment design which can be used to describe an experiment, or set of experiments, in an increasingly detailed manner. This field accepts ontology terms from Experimental Factor Ontology (EFO) and/or Ontology for Biomedical Investigations (OBI). For a browser of EFO (v 2.95) terms, please see http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/EFO; for a browser of OBI (v 2018-02-12) terms please see http://purl.bioontology.org/ontology/OBI. E.g. time series design [EFO:EFO_0001779]

text

Organism characteristics: genetic

taxonomic classificationOptional
taxonomic_classification

Method used for taxonomic classification, along with reference database used, classification rank, and thresholds used to classify new genomes. Expected values are: classification method, database name, and other parameters e.g. vConTACT vContact2 (references from NCBI RefSeq v83, genus rank classification, default parameters)

text

Reference

annotation sourceOptional
annotation_source

For cases where annotation was provided by a community jamboree or model organism database rather than by a specific submitter

text
reference for biomaterialOptional
reference_for_biomaterial

Primary publication if isolated before genome publication; otherwise, primary genome report. Mandatory for MIGS of bacteria and archaea.

text
reference database(s)Optional
reference_database_s

List of database(s) used for ORF annotation, along with version number and reference to website or publication

text

sample processing

sample material processingOptional
sample_material_processing

A brief description of any processing applied to the sample during or after retrieving the sample from environment, or a link to the relevant protocol(s) performed.

text
nucleic acid extractionOptional
nucleic_acid_extraction

A link to a literature reference, electronic resource or a standard operating procedure (SOP), that describes the material separation to recover the nucleic acid fraction from a sample

text
nucleic acid amplificationOptional
nucleic_acid_amplification

A link to a literature reference, electronic resource or a standard operating procedure (SOP), that describes the enzymatic amplification (PCR, TMA, NASBA) of specific nucleic acids

text
library sizeOptional
library_size

Total number of clones in the library prepared for the project

text
library reads sequencedOptional
library_reads_sequenced

Total number of clones sequenced from the library

text
library vectorOptional
library_vector

Cloning vector type(s) used in construction of libraries

text
library screening strategyOptional
library_screening_strategy

Specific enrichment or screening methods applied before and/or after creating clone libraries in order to select a specific group of sequences

text
assembly softwareOptional
assembly_software

Tool(s) used for assembly, including version number and parameters in the format {software};{version};{parameters} e.g. metaSPAdes;3.11.0;kmer set 21,33,55,77,99,121, default parameters otherwise

text
adaptersOptional
adapters

Adapters provide priming sequences for both amplification and sequencing of the sample-library fragments. Both adapters should be reported; in uppercase letters

text

Environmental information

depthOptional
depth

The vertical distance below local surface, e.g. for sediment or soil samples depth is measured from sediment or soil surface, respectively. Depth can be reported as an interval for subsurface samples.

text