Background, enhancing interoperability of bioinformatics knowledge bases is a high priority requirement to maximize data reusability, and thus increase their utility such as the return on investment for biomedical research. A knowledge base may provide useful information for life scientists and other knowledge bases, but it only acquires exchange value once the knowledge base is (re)used, and without interoperability the utility lies dormant. Results, in this article, we discuss several approaches to boost interoperability depending on the interoperable parts. The findings are driven by several real-world scenario examples that were mostly implemented by Bgee, a well-established gene expression database. To better justify the findings are transferable, for each Bgee interoperability experience, we also highlight similar implementations by major bioinformatics knowledge bases. Moreover, we discuss ten general main lessons learnt. These lessons can be applied in the context of any bioinformatics knowledge base to foster data reusability. Conclusions, this work provides pragmatic methods and transferable skills to promote reusability of bioinformatics knowledge bases by focusing on interoperability.

翻译：背景：增强生物信息学知识库的互操作性是最大化数据可重用性的首要需求，从而提升其效用，例如提高生物医学研究的投资回报。一个知识库可为生命科学家及其他知识库提供有用信息，但只有在知识库被（重）使用时才具备交换价值，缺乏互操作性则使其效用处于休眠状态。结果：本文基于可互操作组件的差异，探讨了多种提升互操作性的方法。研究结论源于多个真实场景案例，这些案例主要由成熟的基因表达数据库Bgee实现。为更好证明结论的普适性，针对Bgee的每个互操作性经验，我们同时列举了主要生物信息学知识库的类似实现方案。此外，本文总结了十条通用核心经验教训。这些经验教训可应用于任何生物信息学知识库，以促进数据可重用性。结论：本研究通过聚焦互操作性，提供了促进生物信息学知识库可重用性的实用方法与可迁移技能。