cgMLST.org Server Policy

August 2023 by Ridom GmbH (Münster, Germany).

This server controls the allelic nomenclature of core genome MLST (cgMLST) bacterial gene schemes for research and local, regional, national, or international genomic epidemiologic investigations. In addition, this server controls the allelic nomenclature of the accessory genes of the seed genomes of the respective species-specific schemes.

The website is developed and maintained by Ridom GmbH. The cgMLST.org nomenclature data (allele sequences with allele numbers and complex type allelic profiles) is the property of Ridom GmbH. New CT founder strains can be stored anonymized, i.e., only the allelic profile is stored with no further metadata (including submitter information).

Although the website is developed by Ridom GmbH, we see the cgMLST.org database as a joint project of the scientific community in the field.

The objective is that the website contains facilities for querying the database. The results of these queries and analyses may be used and published by the users. However, this website must be acknowledged in all publications.

The preferred format of the acknowledgement is: "This publication made use of the cgMLST.org website (http://www.cgMLST.org/) that is developed and maintained by Ridom GmbH.” Furthermore we ask every user to cite the following reference:

Jünemann S, Sedlazeck FJ, Prior K, Albersmeier A, John U, Kalinowski J, Mellmann A, Goesmann A, von Haeseler A, Stoye J, Harmsen D. Updating benchtop sequencing performance comparison. Nat Biotechnol. 2013, 31: 294-6.

Individuals may download the database nomenclature and use it for non-commercial purposes only. Copies of the cgMLST.org database may not be used without permission to produce database driven web server or any other product or service. The database, allele sequences with allele numbers and complex type allelic profiles on the official "www.cgMLST.org" website are the definitive nomenclature and should be used in all publications.

At present, no password is required to use the service but this may be introduced in future. Furthermore, we reserve the right to enforce other stronger security measures if we detect abuse of the website.

We cannot be held liable for any misuse of data held on this site or for any consequences of errors, loss or corruption of data, or of down-time of the site.