What Can I Do with SPARC?

Get to know SPARC

SPARC is creating an open community platform, the SPARC Portal at sparc.science, for bridging the body and the brain through neuroscience and systems physiology data, computational and spatial modeling, and device design. SPARC is supported by the NIH Common Fund to provide a scientific and technological foundation for future bioelectronic medicine devices and protocols. Learn more about SPARC.

Take a walkthrough of the SPARC Portal to learn how to access high-quality multimodal, multi-species data and powerful tools for exploring the organization and function of peripheral nerve system (PNS)-end organ interactions. Through the Portal, users can search, browse, view, and download Data & Models.

More than a repository

SPARC Apps

SPARC Apps is a new Portal feature to showcase applications created by SPARC DRC projects that enhance how researchers explore and interact with data, models, and curated knowledge. These interactive tools empower researchers to analyze, visualize, and better utilize SPARC resources, enhancing discovery, accessibility, and collaboration.

• The Anatomical Connectivity (AC) flatmaps are 2D interactive maps where you can explore Data & Models in the context of PNS connections.
• Launch the powerful, cloud-based o²S²PARC simulation platform directly from the Portal to run and tune dynamic models of PNS function, or create your own simulations.
• Explore physical connectivity (derived from SCKAN) in an anatomically realistic context in the 3D whole-body map .
• The Functional Connectivity (FC) flatmap represents the semantics and connectivity of the body’s anatomical and physiological organization for a mammalian body.
• Use SCKANNER to explore the SPARC Connectivity Knowledge Base of the Autonomic Nervous system (SCKAN).

Explore 2D and 3D maps of the peripheral nervous system

Three of the SPARC Apps are SPARC Maps, visual interfaces for exploring SPARC Data & Models and Tools & Resources in the context of knowledge about peripheral nervous system (PNS) connectivity. SPARC Maps also provide 3D organ scaffolds for mapping the 3D distribution of PNS axons and cells. Learn more about Maps, view tutorials on mapping tools in our Learning Hub and learn how to navigate the 3D Scaffold Viewer. Examples include:

• Identification of peripheral neural circuits that regulate heart rate using optogenetic and viral vector strategies. Dataset: Rajendran, P., Challis, R., Fowlkes, C., Hanna, P., Tompkins, J. D., Jordan, M., Hiyari, S., Gabris-Weber, B., Greenbaum, A., Chan, K., Deverman, B., Muenzberg, H., Ardell, J., Salama, G., Gradinaru, V., & Shivkumar, K. (2022). Identification of peripheral neural circuits that regulate heart rate using optogenetic and viral vector strategies (Version 4) [Dataset]. SPARC Portal. https://doi.org/10.26275/PBRD-CI3L
• View spatial distributions of cells and nerve processes within 3D computational scaffolds. These anatomical models are available for download along with the tools to map your own data to these scaffolds. Check out the 3D anatomical model of the mouse heart.

Visualize

View high-resolution images and movies of data using SPARC's online viewers without having to download files. Explore the Portal's search capabilities to find more data you'd like to see.

Example 1: View a confocal image of the human heart using the image viewer

• Dataset: Hanna, P., & Shivkumar, K. (2024). Innervation of human heart (Version 1) [Dataset]. SPARC Portal. https://doi.org/10.26275/TECB-LDJ7
• Interested in finding more microscopy images? Use the microscopy filter under the Experimental Approach facet(learn more about faceted browse). Navigate to a dataset's Gallery tab to access the image viewer.

Example 2: View a movie of sympathetic innervation of brown adipose tissue using confocal microscopy with iDISCO prepared tissue

• Dataset: Lee, S., & Zeltser, L. (2020). Visualizing sympathetic projections in the intact brown adipose tissue depot in the mouse (Version 1) [Dataset]. SPARC Portal. https://doi.org/10.26275/GE74-YPXD
• Interested in viewing more movies? Navigate to the files tab of this dataset to explore more movies. Learn more about our video viewing capabilities.

Access large-scale data in a scalable way

All Datasets on the SPARC Portal are directly accessible to the community. Each dataset is highly curated in accordance with all FAIR principles of data sharing. Users can download datasets and files directly from the Portal, or access them directly on AWS for large-scale downloads and/or cloud-based analytics. Learn more about how to re-use SPARC data and check out documentation to access data in AWS to find out how to start accessing SPARC data in the cloud.

Create advanced analytic pipelines

Access the o²S²PARC simulation platform, a cloud-based platform for developing, running, and sharing computational models and data analysis pipelines, directly from the SPARC Portal. Any user can investigate a published simulation through the Run Simulation button. Registered users with an o²S²PARC account have access to greater functionality such as editing existing simulation workflows and creating simulations. Learn more about o²S²PARC, its services and explore tutorials on how to use them both in our Learning Hub and on o²S²PARC.

Example 1: Predict parameter-dependent vagal nerve responses using an AI-informed computational model running on o²S²PARC

• Dataset: P Ward, M. (2022). SPARC Nerve Activity Predictor (SNAP) (Version 9) [Dataset]. Pennsieve Discover. https://doi.org/10.26275/9LY6-AZ0N

Example 2: A reusable and reproducible rabbit cardiac multi-scale electrophysiology model

• Dataset: Lewis, T., Jeng, M.-T., Yang, P.-C., Clancy, C., & Iavarone, E. (2023). Multi-scale rabbit cardiac electrophysiology models (Version 1) [Dataset]. SPARC Portal. https://doi.org/10.26275/S00B-GKET

Example 3: Three-dimensional representation of the effects of a stimulating electrode around a bundle of nerve fibers

• Dataset: Neufeld, E., & Cassarà, A. (2022). 3D Visualization (Version 8) [Dataset]. Pennsieve Discover. https://doi.org/10.26275/OIM6-URLS

Discover how to use SPARC to understand the structure and function of the vagus nerve

Community Spotlight: Using computers to simulate, optimize, and understand neural responses to electrical signals to treat disease by SPARC Investigator, Dr. Nikki Pelot

Community

The SPARC Portal is developed as a collaborative initiative to merge functionality from different domains into a single-entry point and integrated platform for the Biomedical Research community. The SPARC Data and Resource Center (DRC) is charged with creating, upholding, and implemented the SPARC Mission We are committed to ensuring the SPARC Portal's continued operation as an active, unique open repository. Our goal is to establish the SPARC Portal as a sustainable and interoperable pillar of the biomedical data ecosystem. We strongly believe that user engagement is key to creating a vibrant community that fosters data sharing and integration. We view SPARC as a community ecosystem. Learn more about how you can get involved in SPARC.

Visit our News & Events page to learn about the PNS activities going on now! Browse our learning hub for tutorials and webinars on what SPARC offers. Contacting us for help with our more advanced features.

Contribute

SPARC is an Open Data Repository! Learn more about choosing SPARC as your repository.

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Question for the SPARC community?

Use our Discussion Board to ask your question or Contact us to provide feedback on the platform.