If you have submitted a paper to Genetics or G3 recently, you may have been encouraged to make use of the new Reagent Table. Developed by FlyBase in consultation with other model organism databases, this is a standardized spreadsheet designed to facilitate handling of information about reagents, including source and identifier information. Based on feedback from journals, we have recently developed a more compact version (v2) of the table. A template and an example, with explanatory guidelines, are available here:
FlyBase: Author Reagent Table

The goal in developing this reagent table was to create a data-tracking and submission format that benefits researchers and journals, as well as biological databases. In addition to Genetics and G3, several other journals are in the process of or have expressed interest in adopting the reagent table spreadsheet; others have similar reagent submission formats already in place. A key requirement of all these formats is the use of recognized reagent identifiers (database and stock center identifiers, RRIDs, catalog numbers), with the goal of increasing transparency and reproducibility of biological research, while also facilitating curation into research databases. The proposed Author Reagent Table is designed to be used regularly during the course of a research project, recording reagents as they are received and/or used. Lab-wide use of such a common reagent form would greatly facilitate tracking of reagents within your lab. At the point of submission of a manuscript, with a completed reagent table in hand, provision of reagent data is very straightforward -- ideally, as easy as simply uploading the spreadsheet. Another bonus for fly researchers: having a pre-compiled list of genes will expedite use of the FlyBase Fast Track Your Paper tool.

It’s a win-win all around, so give it a try and let us know what you think!