Coordinating Data for the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative

Seiler Vellame, Dorothea; Willis, Craig; Kainth, Paul; Young, Starr; Mill, Jonathan

doi:10.5281/zenodo.17594181

Coordinating Data for the UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative

Seiler Vellame, Dorothea; Willis, Craig; Kainth, Paul; Young, Starr; Mill, Jonathan

Publisher: Zenodo
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17594181
Repository: zenodo.org
Language: en

Abstract

This poster was presented at the Careers and Skills for Data-driven Research (CaSDaR) Townhall Launch event on the 18th September 2025 Abstract: The UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative (FGx) serves as a hub of support for trainees and professionals within the UK’s functional genomics space. It is a network of academics, clinicians and industry partners structured into thematic research clusters that will together produce an abundance of omics, imaging and clinical data. To coordinate this data and embed core data standards and practices into the wider field of functional genomics, the FGx has established a dedicated Data Coordination Centre (DCC). The DCC is a highly collaborative endeavour. As well as working with FGx research clusters, the DCC will also work with other external partners such as EMBL-EBI, BioFAIR and the UKRI National Mouse Genetics Network. The DCC aims to improve metadata standards, develop research workflows for standardised data cleaning and analysis, improve ease of data linkage, and upskill the community in data stewardship and FAIR. We remain in our infancy and are working to uncover current data standards across FGx clusters and identify common needs across the functional genomics community. We have the opportunity to establish and enact best practice, and welcome thoughts and examples from other aligned data steward efforts.

Full text

Research clusters Additional partners Funders UK Human Functional Genomics Initiative: Data Coordination Centre Dorothea Seiler Vellame2,3,5, Craig Willis2,3,5, Paul Kainth1,5, Starr Young1,5, Jonathan Mill1,4,5. (1) FGx Coordination Hub. (2) Data Coordination Centre. (3) Research Software and Analytics Group. (4) Complex Disease Epigenomics Group. (5) University of Exeter. By 2029 Storage & transfer solution Webtool Database federation Workflows Workspace solution Data standards Integration Data FGx data platform Federated database Processing & analysis Clusters & partners Proposed plan for the DCC Data being generated *FGSL: Functional Genomics Screening Lab LR: Long read sequencing, SR: Short read sequencing. Our data challenge: Even common data types, when generated by different groups will differ in meta data collected. The data is subject to batch effects so is not easily merged. Complex workflows will be required. Interested in working with us? Contact here: [email protected] [email protected] Initial steps: Understand cluster needs •Meet and survey data generators and bioinformaticians •What are the data priorities? Understand the state of the field and what is being developed by others •Meet with partners (BioFAIR, EMBLEBI, NMGN) •Foster collaborations and avoid duplicating efforts Aims to: •Standardise meta-data and workflows •Build a platform for data linkage •Upskill the community in FAIR and data stewardship FGx Initiative The DCC The FGx is a network of UK functional genomic research to facilitate innovation and collaboration. Funded until 2029, it contains 5 research clusters, grouped by biological theme.