STFC/NERC Bioinformatics & Environmental 'Omics Network Workshop

Prospectus: Developing Cloud computing to support data intensive biology

Workshop: Developing cloud computing to support data intensive biology

Organising Committee:

Professor Peter Kille, University of Cardiff

Professor Thomas R Meagher, University of St Andrews

Dr Malin Rivers, University of St Andrews & Botanic Gardens Conservation International

Rationale:

Cloud computing holds great promise for the future of Big Data analysis. This is particularly true for data intensive areas such as environmental omics, where large datasets are likely to reside in centralised storage facilities, such as Jasmin, EBI, or ELIXIR. Cloud-based computing allows users to analyse such data on HPC systems by creating ‘instance-based’ computer images that can be ported directly to the computer system where such data resides. Thus, users can access big data and analyse it using the full power of remote HPC facilities while at the same time using a familiar interface with customised software. Thus, cloud-based computing has the potential to combine accessible and customised interfaces with the full computational power and storage capacity of state-of-the-art HPC systems.

This workshop will explore the current state of cloud-based computing facility and what steps are needed to bring the full power of cloud-based computing to the wider scientific community, including environmental omics.

Objectives:

  • Technical Issues:Outline the current state of cloud-computing technology and explore technical issues to be met for full implementation
  • Community usage and building:Identify relevant scientific communities and how challenges faced by those communities could be met through cloud-based computing
  • The future a 'mobile' Cloud: Explore options and opportunities for future development and implementation of mobile ‘cloud-based’ computing in biology

Outline schedule:

Workshop Day 1 - start at 10:00 (coffee from 9:30)

10:00-10:15 – Introduction (Peter Kille and Thomas Meagher)
10:15-11:15 – Plenary talk(s) Technical Issues
11:15-11:45 – Break
11:45-13:00 – Structured breakout discussion
13:00-14:00 – Lunch
14:00-14:30 – Plenary, breakout reports and discussion
14:30-15:30 – Plenary talk(s) Community usage and building
15:30-16:00 – Break
16:00-17:00 – Structured breakout discussion
17:00-17:30 – Plenary, breakout reports and discussion
19:00-21:00 – Dinner

Workshop Day 2 - start at 9:00 (coffee from 8:30)

Start at 9 (coffee from 8:30)
09:00-09:30 – Recap from day before (Peter Kille and Thomas Meagher)
09:30-10:30 – Plenary talk(s) The future a 'mobile' Cloud
10:30-10:00 – Break
11:00-12:00 – Structured breakout discussion re future prospects
12:00-12:15 – Logistics microbreak
12:15-13:15 – Plenary, breakout reports and discussion, next steps
13:15-14:00 – Lunch and departure

14:00-15:00 – wash-up session (Peter Kille, Thomas Meagher, Malin Rivers)

Cloud Communities:

CLIMB – Cloud Infrastrcture for Microbial Bioinformatics

Workshop Contact: Tom Connor -

Website:

NERC EOScloud

Workshop Contact: Mr Tim Booth -

PI: David Wollam ()

Website:

Environmental Cloud

Workshop Contact: Gwyn Rees ()

Website: Internal CEH project no external site

EBI Embassy Cloud

Workshop contact: Guy Cochrane ()

Website:

ELIXR Cloud

Workshop contact: Rafael Jimenez ()

Website: