Adopting Ontologies: Sustainable Research Reusing the Biomedical Resource Ontology

The FAIR principles have been adopted across scientific disciplines to promote sustainable use of data. Ontologies play a crucial role in facilitating data interoperability and reusability. However, existing ontologies may become outdated or redundant, hindering their continued use. We advocate for the adoption and adaptation of existing ontologies, which can be a time-consuming process. To justify this approach, we share our experience with the Biomedical Resource Ontology (BRO). Ultimately, we promote a culture of knowledge maintenance, ensuring that existing ontologies remain relevant and up-to-date, thereby enhancing the principles of sustainability and FAIRness in scientific research.