OMICS
The OMICS Data working group focuses on the management, storage, and sustainable use of sequencing data. Its core activities include exchange, infrastructure concepts, and metadata harmonization.
OMICS technologies enable the analysis of biological systems at different levels, such as genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. These approaches, which generate data through high-throughput methods, have gained significant importance in the life sciences in recent years and are now an integral part of modern research.
A key driver of this development is technological progress in sequencing as well as improved analysis methods, including machine learning. At the same time, decreasing sequencing costs have led to a rapid growth in data volumes. Sequencing data are highly storage-intensive and, depending on platform and data type, can range from a few gigabytes to several terabytes per sample. Public archives such as the European Nucleotide Archive are therefore experiencing rapidly growing data volumes in the petabyte range.
OMICS data are also becoming increasingly important in medical contexts, particularly in the field of precision medicine. However, the working group itself does not handle clinical or personal data. Interfaces to clinical data structures will be considered conceptually in collaboration with relevant partners in order to create potential points of integration.
In Schleswig-Holstein, sequencing data are generated at multiple sites, including core facilities and the Competence Centre for Genomic Analysis (CCGA) in Kiel. Due to their size and complexity, these data require specialized storage and data management solutions, which are currently implemented differently depending on the site. In addition, the publication of data creates a need for structured processes for data submission (“brokering”) as well as for the harmonization of metadata between local systems and public repositories.
The OMICS Data working group provides a platform for professional exchange on existing solutions, shared challenges, and future strategies. The aim is to leverage synergies, share best practices, and develop sustainable concepts for handling OMICS sequencing data.
Further Information
Duration:
- 12/2024–present (WG)
- 07/2024–12/2024 (IG)
Materials:
- Fortmann-Grote, C., & Wohlers, I. (2026). Survey on OMICS data management in Schleswig-Holstein [Dataset]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18400618
- Fortmann-Grote, C. (2025). Cleaning data with OpenRefine. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16356278
0000-0003-4004-0464