Introducing the Slime Mold Graph Repository

We introduce the Slime Mold Graph Repository, a novel data collection promoting the visibility, accessibility and reuse of experimental data revolving around network-forming slime molds. By making data instantly available for researchers across multiple disciplines, the SMGR promotes novel research as well as the reproduction of original results. While SMGR data may take various forms, we stress the importance of graph representations of slime mold networks due to their ease of handling and their large potential for reuse. Data added to the SMGR stands to gain impact beyond initial publications or even beyond its domain of origin. We initiate the SMGR with the comprehensive KIST Europe data set focused on the slime mold Physarum polycephalum. It contains sequences of images documenting growth and network formation of the organism under constant conditions. Suitable image sequences depicting the typical P. polycephalum network structures are used to compute sequences of graphs faithfully capturing them. Given such sequences, node identities are computed, tracking the development of nodes over time. The entire data set is well-documented, self-contained and ready for inspection via the SMGR at http://smgr.mpi-inf.mpg.de.