Nick Trigg introduces the proof of concept provided by the consortium of Constellation Technologies and Genestack for Phase 2 of the Pistoia Alliance Sequence Services project. The presentation was delivered at the Pistoia Alliance Conference in Boston, MA, on April 24, 2012.

1. Constellation Technologies
& GeneStack
Development of Sequence
Services 2 in the Constellation
Framework
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2. Constellation
Experts in big data and bioinformatics
• Spin out from STFC (Science and Technology Facilities Council)
– Largest research facility in UK specialising in large data computing
• CERN, European physics and astronomy science
• Supporting all UK disciplines in computing
• Strong IT & Bioinformatics expertise
– Strong Bioinformatics delivery expertise
– Strong connections into European academia
– Excellent access to newly developed applications, tools and algorithms
• Supplier of cloud computing services to large Pharma.
• Partners for Pistoia SS2
– Microsoft Azure
– STFC
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3. Constellation’s “Roadmap”
Text Genome
Mining/Search Analysis
Core
Data
“AppMarket”
Integration
Service Service Service Service
“Workflow Management”
API
Seamless Integration with Client systems

4. Bioinformatics
IT
• Bioinformatics • IT
– Novel Algorithms – Platform Design
– Research – Support
– Scientific support – Maintenance
– Discovery – Testing
– Analysis – Stability / Scalability
– Value Added – Security
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5. Hosting
Cloud
• Hosted • Cloud
– Single Vendor – Vendor Agnostic
– Hardware limitations – As required
– Restricted storage – Selectable storage
– Limited cost models – Best model available
– “Lock in” – “Flexible”
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6. Cloud Vision
Flexible Flexible
Compute Storage
Vendor Agnostic
Academic or Client
bespoke Business
solutions Logic
Client Minimise
Applications Support
Virtual “Bioinformatics
Organisation Marketplace”
True
Cloud
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7. The Value of Pistoia
• Value to users (Life Sciences R&D)
– Access to Life Science R&D “thought” leaders
– Opportunity to hear several innovative proposals
– Expand the number of your global collaborators
– Support supplier collaborations to provide enhanced services
– Share long-term issues with other Life Sciences R&D users
– Better and cheaper solutions to high-value challenges
• Value to suppliers (e.g. Constellation)
– Access to major clients
– Clarity on major long term issues faced by customers base
– Partnerships and collaboration encouraged and supported
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8. High Level Architecture
Portal
Bioinformatics Deployed
Workflow UI
UIs Workflow (Apps)
Bioinformatics Workflow Tools
Systems Bioinformatics Applications
Distributed Compute
Distributed Storage

9. Our goal for SS2
• We believed the end goal was a flexible platform where ALL the
application described in SS2 scope could be deployed for individual clients
as required.
• Platform should be scalable where security, support and maintenance
can be easily managed.
– Reducing support costs allows for more focus on research
• Bioinformatics applications added as required:
– GeneStack (Analysis Portal)
– VIB (Arctix) (Workflow) (in discussion)
– EBI (Services) (in discussion)
• Workflow delivered as a fundamental development principle
• Development of the “AppMarket” for Bioinformatics
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10. Secure
Scalable
Storage
Company
Workflow Specific
Core
Integrating
3rd Party
Systems
Integration Future
With other Development
Systems
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11. Deliverables achieved
• Portal with access to all the “Must Have” Web Services described in the SS2
documentation
– Constellation Managed Administration Interface to allow organisational mapping of users to
Programs / Projects / Applications
• “Tool Box” of Integrated Applications
– Galaxy
– Secure Ensembl
– Secure CellProfiler
– Content Search (New development)
• Galaxy workflow engine with integrating applications deployed as a secure web
application to cover “Must Have” tools
– Restricted set of apps based on feedback from “testing pool” (Restrictions based on Need/Security)
– Tools can be added on request
• Scalable storage and compute (dependant on need and security)
– Structured Program - Project – User mapping
– Cost effective data storage and compute
• Initial Integration with another Bioinformatics Vendor (GeneStack)
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12. Visiting BioIT World tomorrow
Drop us a note if you would like to
meet up while were in Boston.
rob.gill@constellationtechnologies.com or +44 7766 515153
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