What is an RRID
One identifier for every resource a study used.
A Research Resource Identifier (RRID) is a persistent ID for an antibody, cell line, organism, plasmid, software tool or core facility. Written in a paper's methods, it tells readers and machines exactly which resource was used, even years later and even if the vendor changes its catalogue.
Anatomy of an RRID
RRID:SCR_003070
RRID:
Marks the text as an identifier, so text-mining tools and indexes such as Europe PMC can find it.
SCR_
The prefix names the authority that keeps the record, here the SciCrunch Registry for software and facilities.
003070
The accession number in that authority. This one is ImageJ.
What gets an RRID, and who keeps the record
Each resource type has an authority: an established registry that curates records of its kind.
| Resource type | Prefix | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Antibodies | AB_ | Antibody Registry |
| Cell lines | CVCL_ | Cellosaurus (SIB) |
| Plasmids | Addgene_ | Addgene |
| Organisms and strains | MMRRC_, MGI: and others | MMRRC, MGI and model-organism databases |
| Software, databases, core facilities | SCR_ | SciCrunch Registry |
| Biosamples | SAMN, SAMEA | NCBI and EBI BioSamples |
Three principles
Machine readable
One fixed syntax, so software can find every RRID in a text.
Free to create and use
Anyone can look up, request and cite an RRID at no cost.
Consistent everywhere
The same identifier across journals, publishers and preprint servers.
Built to last
- Records are never deleted. If a resource turns out to be problematic, for example a misidentified cell line, the record gets a warning instead.
- RRIDs resolve through rrid.site, n2t.net and identifiers.org, so they keep working independently of one operator.
- The identifiers are owned by RRIDs.org, an independent nonprofit. Meet the board
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