OME-NGFF: a next-generation file format for expanding bioimaging data-access strategies

The rapid pace of innovation in biological imaging and the diversity of its applications have prevented the establishment of a community-agreed standardized data format. We propose that complementing established open formats such as OME-TIFF and HDF5 with a next-generation file format such as Zarr will satisfy the majority of use cases in bioimaging. Critically, a common metadata format used in all these vessels can deliver truly findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable bioimaging data. OME's next-generation file format (OME-NGFF) provides a cloud-native complement to OME-TIFF and HDF5 for storing and accessing bioimaging data at scale and works toward the goal of findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable bioimaging data.

Automated summary

The rapid pace of innovation in biological imaging has led to a lack of a standardized data format. By combining established open formats with a next-generation file format and a common metadata format, bioimaging data can be made findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable.