Community Highlight: Beatriz Jorrin-Rubio
Beatriz Jorrin-Rubio (BJR) is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Biology at the University of Oxford. In using KBase she created the 200,000 Narrative on the platform!
(BJR) My research centers on plant-microbe interactions, with a specific focus on the symbiotic relationship between rhizobia and legumes. I aim to uncover how legumes select specific rhizobia from the diverse microbial community in soils and how rhizobia compete with other microorganisms in these environments. To address this question, I compare the genomes of rhizobia isolated from different legume species, seeking to identify the genetic determinants that underpin successful rhizobia-legume symbiosis.
Pea root inoculated with two fluorescently labelled bacterial strains—mCherry and GFP—used in a competition experiment. Nodules colonised by each strain are visible, captured using iBright imaging
How has using KBase supported your work?
(BJR) I have always used my own server to assemble genomes. However, annotation has consistently been a challenge. Most annotation software requires access to external databases, which poses a security concern when the server is located at the university. KBase provides a solution by allowing the entire assembly-annotation pipeline to be run in a single platform, accessible from anywhere.
Beatriz Jorrin-Rubio
Do you have a favorite part about KBase?
(BJR) My favorite aspect of KBase is its clear and intuitive structure. I usually create a Narrative for each genome, keeping all the associated data organized and accessible in one location.
What role do you see KBase having in open science principles?
(BJR) I believe KBase has been a breakthrough for non-command-line experts and for users like me who want to address security concerns. As a free platform, it offers incredible flexibility—I have yet to encounter any limits on the number of narratives I can create or the samples I can analyze.
