SystemsX.ch Biology IT SyBIT

SyBIT, the SystemsX.ch Biology IT project has been initiated by SystemsX.ch to assure that the data produced by all projects is well-documented and made gradually available to the research community for further use. SyBIT will supply tools and infrastructure for data management, data analysis and archiving for all SystemsX.ch projects; develop and promote standard interfaces for data access and establish processes and policies for quality and knowledge management. SyBIT cooperates with all SystemsX.ch partner institutions and their infrastructure providers.

One of the main visions of Systems Biology is to enable researchers to cross-correlate data and results from many biological systems in order to find, explore and understand complex patterns. SyBIT is about assuring that data and result sets produced by all SystemsX.ch Research Technology and Development (RTD) projects can be accessed and are well described for such purposes. SyBIT needs to

1. assure that the RTDs have all the tools and infrastructure necessary to manage their data
2. assure that well-described interfaces exist to all data products relevant for future exploration
3. assure that the services and data produced are available also after the lifetime of the project
4. assure that the knowledge and know-how to develop and maintain these services is built up and preserved within the participating institutions

The RTDs produce large amounts of complex data. Before the data is made available to others, it has to be explored and understood by the researchers producing them. To assure that the basic data availability requirements are met, (i.e. that data are accessible and well described) it is essential to have a sound concept for the support of each individual RTD in terms of software, hardware and services. A strategy is needed to manage the local RTD data. Additionally, it is equally important to have a concept how the results can actually be integrated, cross-correlated and cross-referenced not only inside SystemsX.ch but also with other external data sources.

SyBIT is very tightly working with all RTDs in order to achieve its goals, and is seeking collaboration with other national and international projects and groups tackling similar data management issues.