16.06.2025
Sustainable Management of OMICS Data – Moving Forward Together in Research Data Management in Northern Germany
Scientists Network for Cutting-Edge Management of Biomolecular Research Data
To the Point:
- Over 30 experts from 15 institutions gathered at the Research Centre Borstel, Leibniz Lung Centre.
- Shared consensus: Standardised solutions for sharing and archiving sequencing data are urgently needed.
- Planned activities: Building a joint and coordinated infrastructure for OMICS data.
On 5th June 2025, the Research Centre Borstel became a hub for OMICS expertise: from genomics to proteomics to lipidomics, more than 30 participants from Schleswig-Holstein, Hamburg, Rostock, Gießen, Gent, and Heidelberg gathered to address the growing data volumes from modern sequencing technologies.
What are OMICS Data?
OMICS refers to large-scale analyses of biological systems – such as the entire genetic material (genomics), RNA molecules (transcriptomics), proteins (proteomics), metabolites (metabolomics), or lipids (lipidomics). These disciplines generate rapidly growing datasets, particularly through sequencing technologies, which can only be efficiently used and shared with modern research data management systems.
Under the patronage of the State Initiative for Research Data Management Schleswig-Holstein (FDM-SH) and organised by the OMICS Working Group, represented by the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology Plön (MPI-EvolBio) and the Research Centre Borstel, Leibniz Lung Centre (FZB), scientists, data stewards, and IT specialists discussed possible synergies between national (NFDI consortia, de.NBI) and European infrastructures (ELIXIR, EOSC).
The focus was on questions about current practices at individual institutions, available competencies, and existing solutions. It quickly became clear: Although promising research data management systems exist, there is still a lack of a common platform that integrates the sharing, publishing, and archiving of sequencing data on a scalable infrastructure. As a result, it was decided to tackle infrastructure measures collaboratively and align them, including through joint research funding applications. Leading this effort are the speakers of the OMICS Working Group, Prof. Dr. Inken Wohlers (FZB) and Dr. Carsten Fortmann-Grote (MPI-EvolBio).
Kontakt
Prof. Dr. Inken Wohlers
Leiterin der Forschungsgruppe "Data Science in der Lungenforschung"
+49 4537 / 188-6720
Thus, it is clear that this meeting marks a milestone: “With this workshop, we have laid the foundation for a connected OMICS community in Northern Germany and beyond, paving the way for forward-looking, sustainable solutions in the handling of valuable sequencing data,” says Dr. Carsten Fortmann-Grote.
Contact:
Dr. Carsten Fortmann-Grote
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology Plön
Prof. Dr. Inken Wohlers
Research Centre Borstel, Leibniz Lung Centre
Michael Hesse
PR and Communications Officer
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology Plön