Overall user interface redesign: 

• The Gateway has a fresh look and feel that’s simpler and more intuitive to navigate so users can find what they’re looking for faster. For example, users can now easily search a growing number of Gateway entities directly from the homepage and smoothly switch between them using horizontal tabs on the search page or the improved top-page navigation menu.  

• Helpful tool tips throughout the site provide quick explanations of Gateway entities and features.  

• A yellow support button on every page of the Gateway provides users with one-click access points to the updated Support Centre for quick help, information and support queries.  

• For Data Custodians, a dedicated support area accessed directly from the top-page navigation bar provides comprehensive guidance for onboarding and managing Datasets and other entities on the platform.  

Enrichment of search capabilities: 

• Elasticsearch is now integrated into the Gateway, delivering faster and more relevant results when searching the platform for Datasets and related entities. Elasticsearch is a ‘learning algorithm’ so results will be improved over time, and with fuzzy matching and ontology mapping, search results will be smarter, more flexible, and more precise from the first day of implementation.   

• Alongside keyword and multi-term queries, users can now search the Gateway using medical terms like ICD-10 classifications and SNOMED codes. Search terms are also highlighted within the metadata when the results page is generated, making it easier to spot relevant information. The search results page now defaults to a table view, offering clearer comparison of metadata across Datasets, with the flexibility to switch to a list view based on user preference.  

• Search filters have also been refined to provide more targeted results and better ease of use. A new data type category now includes imaging and omics data, while users can also filter results specifically for Datasets containing BioSamples. Further enhancements include a sliding scale for narrowing searches by population size and an interactive map that enables filtering by geographical region.  

• Users can now easily download search results and associated metadata and build a personalised library of Datasets (login required).  

Improvements to the navigation of linked resources:   

• The Gateway now intelligently recognises relationships between entities, enhancing the discovery experience. The visually updated metadata page allows users to easily explore linked entities, such as Publications related to specific Datasets, making it simpler than ever to find relevant information. 

• Users can also discover linked entities from the newly renamed ‘Analysis Scripts & Software’ page (previously ‘Tools’). A simple left-hand menu provides quick navigation to relevant entities associated with each script or software. Additionally, linked resources are now integrated into the ‘Data Use Register’ page.  

• Users can now widen the search for related research directly from the Gateway with the integration of the online refence library of publications, Europe PMC, into the platform, providing an expanded list of linked Publications and complementing the Gateway’s Dataset-based Publication search.   

• To further enhance entity discovery on the Gateway, two new Collection-based features have been introduced. The Data Custodian page automatically aggregates all resources an organisation has listed to create a unique and easily explorable Collection. The Data Custodian Network page expands the Collection across a network of Data Custodians, for example the NHS Research Secure Data Environment (SDE) Network. 

• Now, both users and Data Custodians can easily add and manage related entities on the Gateway, and with an improved onboarding form, contributing is simpler than ever. Key updates include GitHub link support, automatic population of Publication onboarding form via a DOI search (thanks to Europe PMC integration), and a new field for logging relationships between entities. 

A flexible approach to data access  

• Users can now easily contact Data Custodians directly through the Gateway, with preferred options based on the type of enquiry. Whether it’s a general query or a more detailed feasibility request, users can engage Custodians about specific Datasets before submitting a full Data Access Request (for Data Custodians who have adopted this functionality) – streamlining the process and helping to address questions early in the process. 

• Users can initiate Dataset enquiries or begin access requests directly from updated metadata page with just one click. The newly added enquiry buttons located at the top-right corner of the page allow for quick and efficient submissions. To save time and effort, users can also send a single data enquiry to multiple Custodians at once (full data access submissions through this streamlined approach will be available soon). 

• An automated relay service also enables users and Data Custodians to respond to queries and follow-up messages directly via email, making communication faster and more convenient. All interactions are shared and stored on the Gateway, ensuring easy access for future reference. 

Improvements to metadata onboarding   

• Data Custodians now have greater control and flexibility when onboarding metadata, making it easier to manage and update information directly through the Gateway. 

• The updated metadata schema now provides better representation of the diversity of Datasets on the Gateway and how they are linked to related entities, boosting discoverability and creating a smoother, more intuitive user experience.    

• A new translation service automatically maps metadata from other schemas into the Gateway format, speeding up the onboarding process for Data Custodians and maintaining consistent standards across platforms. New push and pull integration options offer an automated approach to onboarding and updating metadata, saving Custodians even more time and ensuring one source of truth.   

• Data Custodians can quickly setup and manage integrations directly from the Team Management dashboard. The addition of a new ‘Developer’ role offers teams more control, simplifying the integration process and improving the metadata management experience on the Gateway. 

• For Custodians not yet ready to adopt automation processes, updates to the metadata onboarding form enhance the manual management of metadata on the Gateway, making it simpler and more efficient. Improvements include new fields to easily distinguish between data types; an adaptive interface that adjusts based on previous entries; and better guided support to navigate the form more effectively.