Generic Diagramming Platform (GDP): a comprehensive database of high-quality biomedical graphics

Abstract

High-quality schematic illustrations are fundamental to the publication of scientific achievements in biomedical research, which are crucial for effectively conveying complex biomedical concepts. However, creating such illustrations remains challenging for many researchers due to the need to devote a significant amount of time and effort to accomplish it. To address this need, we present the Generic Diagramming Platform (GDP, https://BioGDP.com), a comprehensive database of professionally crafted biomedical graphics (bio-graphics). Currently, GDP houses 7 562 high-quality bio-graphics, meticulously categorized into 10 major and 77 minor categories. To increase the design efficiency, GDP provides 204 customizable templates derived from an extensive review of over 2000 literature and 7 textbooks. With the interactive drawing platform and user-friendly web interface implemented in GDP, these resources can facilitate the efficient generation of publication-ready illustrations for the biomedical community. Additionally, GDP incorporates a collaborative submission system, allowing researchers to contribute their artwork, fostering a growing diagramming ecosystem, and ensuring continuous database expansion. Overall, we believe that GDP will serve as an invaluable platform, significantly enhancing the efficiency and quality of scientific illustration for biomedical researchers.

Graphical Abstract

Figure 1.

Overall design and construction of GDP. GDP consists of four main parts: (1) A comprehensive bio-graphics library containing over 7000 high-quality biomedical images crafted by professional artists, forming the foundation of GDP. (2) A template library featuring more than 200 classic illustrations derived from extensive literature review. (3) An integrated online drawing module that allows users to create publication-ready illustrations using these bio-graphics and pre-designed templates. (4) A submission system that enables users to contribute their artworks to GDP’s public template library, fostering a collaborative diagramming ecosystem.

Figure 2.

Classification and statistics of GDP’s bio-graphics library and templates. (A) The bio-graphics library is categorized into 10 major and 77 minor categories. The bar chart (left) shows the number of bio-graphics in each major category, while the matrix (right) displays the subcategories within each major category. (B) The pie chart illustrates the distribution of templates across different categories. (C) Some representative examples of the template library.

Figure 3.

Basic functions of GDP web interface. (A) The Drawing Board interface of GDP is composed of five key modules: (1) the bio-graphics library panel on the left, allowing users to explore and select graphical elements; (2) the interactive canvas where users can draw illustrations, demonstrated by an example of the cloned sheep Dolly; (3) the component list panel showing all elements on the canvas with their layers; (4) a toolbox that contains buttons for common drawing functions, such as undo, redo, insert, crop, group, ungroup, align and zoom; (5) preview, save and export buttons. (B) The Workspace page, serving as the user management center, includes My illustrations, My library, and My submission sections. (C) The Templates interface of GDP.