Virtual Research Environments (VRE) to Facilitate the Analysis of Cancer Research Data

Q1 2025
  • Implementation challenges
    • User / Resource provider environments
  • Supporting grand societal challenges
    • Cancer mission
  • Result description

    There will be two different virtual research environments (1 based in Galaxy and 1 based in OpenVRE) to facilitate the analysis of cancer research data. Both environments are already in production and specific instances for EOSC4Cancer will be created if necessary. Both environments will support the use of FAIR by design workflows, software and data.

    Problem addressed

    Standardization, harmonization and analysis of sensitive data (cancer research data).  Both environments have high Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), Galaxy is TRL 9 while different OpenVRE instances vary from TRLs 7 to 9. The key element is the harmonization and standardization of relevant datasets before they can be individually or jointly analyzed using those environments. Both Galaxy and openVRE are open-source developments following best practices – including the fact of having source-code repositories. Thus, the project aims to have a collection of analytical workflows and other elements, e.g. cBioPortal, to facilitate the analysis of cancer-related data. Beyond having two environments, provide a collection of workflows for the analysis of cancer-related data.

    Who can use the result

    Researchers, including clinical researchers, and technologists in the project for a harmonious and coordinated effort.

    Timeline

    The result will be available for the project partners at least until the end of the project (28/Feb/2025 - Q1/2025). Deliverables and milestones will be available through Zenodo while other project outcomes will be available through the respective resources Sustainability plan is under preparation.

    How to use the result

    The results will be made openly available during the lifetime of the project. Depending on the nature of these results, they will be published at the project website, through the different environments utilized in the project, e.g. Galaxy, OpenVRE, WorkflowHub; and knowledge management systems like the specific section for Cancer Research at the ELIXIR RDMkit.