The BIRN Genomics Working Group (Genomics WG) aims to maximize BIRN’s capabilities for genetic research. We currently are defining a small number of genomics and genetics use cases, drawn from users such as the Function BIRN (FBIRN) testbed investigations, for proof-of-concept efforts.
These use cases will help determine how BIRN’s expertise and technical resources can be leveraged to help the FBIRN and other research consortia handle genotyping and sequencing efforts. Such projects may range from modestly-sized genotyping projects, such as those generated by parentage SNP arrays, to massive, next-generation sequence projects now being initiated by individual scientists and consortia at many institutions.
BIRN’s computational and software infrastructure has considerable potential for multi-site collaborative genetics and genomics research programs seeking more secure, integrated, and scalable data handling methods. Such capabilities are likely to become vital as massive, next-generation sequencing becomes the norm in many biological disciplines.
The core Genomics Working Group members include representatives from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Information Sciences Institute/University of Southern California, University of California at Los Angeles, and University of California at Irvine.
Over the next several months, the Genomics WG direction will select a small number of areas of interest, then link up with most other BIRN WGs to decide on specific pilot projects that illustrate BIRN’s potential.
