Genome Data Analysis Core (GDAC)

A central aspect of ProtectMove is the generation of large-scale genomics data using a range of different high-throughput methods. The mere volume and complexity of the data generated by these powerful technologies is constantly increasing, creating a need for extensive bioinformatics expertise and a dedicated high-performance computing environment. To meet these needs within ProtectMove, we propose the creation of a dedicated Genome Data Analysis Core (GDAC) to serve as a centralized bioinformatics support facility for the primary research projects. GDAC will be embedded within the Lübeck Interdisciplinary Platform for Genome Analytics (LIGA) which was recently established within the Medical Faculty (‘Sektion Medizin’) at University of Lübeck and is affiliated with the Institute of Neurogenetics and the Institute of Integrative and Experimental Genomics. The overarching aim of LIGA is to excel genome research on campus with the goal of improving our understanding of the genetic and epigenetic foundations of genetically complex human diseases. All bioinformatics protocols and pipelines required for the analyses to be carried out by GDAC are either already in place or are currently being implemented by the LIGA team. This relates to many types of data (e.g. microarray-based, next-generation DNA and RNA sequencing) and involves many tasks (e.g. raw data processing, quality control (QC), mapping, variant calling, annotation, filtering and format conversion) throughout ProjectMove.