Although biomedical research is experiencing a data explosion, the accumulation of vast quantities of data alone does not guarantee a primary objective for science: building upon existing knowledge. Data collected that lack appropriate metadata cannot be fully interrogated or integrated into new research projects, leading to wasted resources and missed opportunities for data repurposing. This issue is particularly acute for research using animals, where concerns regarding data reproducibility and ensuring animal welfare are paramount. Here, to address this problem, we propose a minimal metadata set (MNMS) designed to enable the repurposing of in vivo data. MNMS aligns with an existing validated guideline for reporting in vivo data (ARRIVE 2.0) and contributes to making in vivo data FAIR-compliant. Scenarios where MNMS should be implemented in diverse research environments are presented, highlighting opportunities and challenges for data repurposing at different scales. We conclude with a ‘call for action’ to key stakeholders in biomedical research to adopt and apply MNMS to accelerate both the advancement of knowledge and the betterment of animal welfare.

尽管生物医学研究正在经历数据爆炸，但仅靠大量数据的积累并不能保证科学的主要目标：建立在现有知识的基础上。收集到的数据如果缺乏适当的元数据，就无法被充分询问或整合到新的研究项目中，从而导致资源浪费并错失数据重新利用的机会。对于使用动物的研究来说，这个问题尤其严重，因为对数据再现性和确保动物福利的关注至关重要。在这里，为了解决这个问题，我们提出了一个最小元数据集（MNMS），旨在实现体内数据的重新利用。 MNMS 与报告体内数据的现有验证指南 (ARRIVE 2.0) 保持一致，并有助于使体内数据符合公平标准。提出了 MNMS 应在不同研究环境中实施的场景，强调了不同规模的数据重新利用的机遇和挑战。最后，我们“呼吁采取行动”，呼吁生物医学研究的主要利益相关者采用和应用 MNMS，以加速知识的进步和动物福利的改善。