The ARK Portal is a public data repository that stores and shares data and research knowledge generated by a network of research teams focused on autoimmune and immune-related diseases.
The ARK Portal is funded by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). It is developed and maintained by Sage Bionetworks. If you have questions, suggestions, or feedback about the ARK Portal, please contact us here.
History
The ARK Portal was originally established as part of the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® Rheumatoid Arthritis and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (AMP® RA/SLE) Program which was initiated in 2014 between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and several nonprofit organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Together, this public‐private partnership has funded an open, pre‐competitive discovery effort with the goal of working collaboratively to deepen the understanding of autoimmune diseases through a focus on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).
ARK Portal ↔︎ Synapse
At this point, you know what the ARK Portal is, and you may have come across the term Synapse - but how do they fit together? Let’s break this down:
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Sage Bionetworks |
First, there’s Sage Bionetworks - a name you may or may not have come across. While Sage is not a tool you’ll be using, you should know who we are: a non-profit organization based out of Seattle, Washington. Sage is dedicated to promoting and advancing open science, as well as engaging patients in the research process. Sage acts as the Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for several different portals, including the ARK Portal. The scientists, developers, and designers that built the tools you’re using are all employed by Sage. You can learn more about Sage Bionetworks and its initiatives here. |
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Synapse |
Synapse is a collaborative research platform that helps you and your team share, organize, and discuss your scientific research. It allows users to upload, store, curate, and share data privately and publicly. |
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ARK Portal |
ARK Portal is a custom website that disseminates data generated by a network of research teams working collaboratively to deepen the understanding of Arthritis and Autoimmune and Related Diseases. It was established by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and includes data from the Accelerating Medicines Partnership® (AMP®). |