[Obo-discuss] From the use of xrefs

[Pierre-Yves C. <pi...@pi...>]

Dear all,

I am trying to use ontologies to link from generic term/concept to
biological data.
I have, for example, the traits 'Beta-carotene content' or 'Plant
height' and I am interested to link them to biological data or
references (as in literature references) and preferably using
cross-references.

I have therefore looked at the use of cross-references in ontologies and
I have to say that I found actually not so many cross-references.
For example the plant trait ontology (TO) has only 19 xrefs and PATO 14.

So I was wondering if there are standards or agreements on how the xrefs
should be used ? Or maybe there is work in progress/planned for adding
xrefs to ontologies ?

So basically my question is, what is the status on the use of xrefs in
ontologies ?


On a side not, as an exercise, I took all the term from TO which
contained either 'content' or 'concentration' and looked if I could link
them with term in Chebi. I generated this way ~ 140/150 xrefs which I
would gladly give if this is found to be usefull/interesting.

Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Pierre