The Genome Browser was launched back in 2000, shortly after the first human genome sequence was released to the public.  The browser aims to provide a graphical viewing tool to make it easier for people to navigate DNA sequences.

Since 2000 the project has expanded considerably, and now includes a broad collection of vertebrate and model organism assemblies and annotations, along with a large suite of tools for viewing, analyzing and downloading data.

A significant drawback of the software however, was that researchers were often limited to using a local version of the software, especially when dealing with sensitive medical data that demands high level of security and confidentiality.  Whilst this approach does provide such security, it significantly hampers the ability of the researchers to collaborate and share data.

Onto the cloud

Now, a group of developers from UC Santa Cruz Genomics Institute, have launched a new version of the browser, called Genome Browser in the Cloud (GBiC), which aims to make such data sharing easier.  It comes with a rapid installation package that allows the Browser to be installed in any UNIX-based cloud environment.

All researchers need to do is provide the cloud instance, install the Browser, and then give access to the team they wish to have access to it.  The software then functions in exactly the same way as a local installation.

“We are very pleased with how this product facilitates remote collaboration—for example, between a hospital physician, an off-site lab technician and a third-party genomic researcher,” the team say. “Thanks to the efforts of GBiC Engineer Max Haeussler, users also benefit from significantly faster installation time,” Kent continued. “What historically took at least a week, now typically is less than an hour.”