GdbMTB: a manually curated genomic database of magnetotactic bacteria

Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are a unique group of microorganisms capable of navigating along geomagnetic field lines through the biomineralization of intracellular magnetic nanocrystals called magnetosomes. While genomic analyses have substantially advanced our understanding of these predominantly uncultured microorganisms, MTB genomic data remain scattered across multiple databases with inconsistent quality profiles and incomplete metadata, limiting comprehensive research efforts. To address these challenges, we developed the Genomic Database of Magnetotactic Bacteria (GdbMTB), the first comprehensive, curated genomic resource dedicated to MTB. The current version of GdbMTB integrates 365 publicly available MTB genomes and their associated metadata. Through a standardized bioinformatics workflow, it provides detailed genome quality assessments, taxonomic classifications, and annotations of magnetosome biomineralization genes, ensuring reliable data for downstream analyses. The curated metadata, encompassing environmental context and publication details, offers crucial research background, enabling users to trace the provenance of each genome. Additionally, GdbMTB offers a suite of bioinformatics tools and an analysis pipeline to facilitate advanced MTB studies. GdbMTB enhances accessibility to MTB genomic data, thereby promoting interdisciplinary research in microbiology, geomicrobiology, and biomineralization studies. Database URL: https://www.gdbmtb.cn/.