Your gateway for living data management

Reuse available non-sensitive data from biodiversity omics and enhance these data by making their respective transformed data products interoperable with other data streams within Earth sciences. A collaboration with the Centre GDI FAIRway, GBIf and iRe:RESEARCH is being fostered.

Task 2.1 Hosting and planning of omics diversity datasets availability

GLIM-BioData's data steward will support researchers with DMPs to accelerate data publication in open repositories, ensuring quality and compliance with standards like DarwinCore. Non-sensitive data will be annotated with standard metadata and made publicly available via DMPortal, which will begin migrating to POLEN for improved usability and FAIR compliance. Training will be provided to promote dataset access and reuse in line with the EOSC framework.

Task 2.2 EMO BON and EOSC FAIR-EASE biodiversity data reuse case

Following a One Health approach, GLIM-BioData will use EMO-BON and FAIR-EASE datasets to monitor virulent bacteria in aquatic environments and model human health risks. Machine learning will identify biomarkers by integrating omics and environmental data. Using FAIR-EASE methods and RO-crates will ensure real-time monitoring and enhance data interoperability and reusability.

Task 2.3 Electronic laboratory notebooks

An instance of the open-source electronic laboratory notebook, eLabFTW will be installed and available to all members of GLIM-BioData. Users will be able to deposit data and custom JSON metadata directly into BioData.pt repositories or public repositories via their eLabFTW interface.

Development of policies for management of Sensitive Life and Health Data following RGPD, the publication of datasets after curation and following the policies, curation of the datasets and report on outreach activities with FEGA Portugal stakeholders. Collaborations with Centre GDI CeSDHR and AIBILI will be fostered.

Task 3.1 Create FEGA Portugal Helpdesk

GLIM-BioData will establish a FEGA Portugal helpdesk using a Request Tracker system and an SOP aligned with EGA guidelines. A trained data steward will support national institutions in submitting and reusing sensitive life and health data.

Task 3.2 Legal and Ethics Issues

A Data Protection Officer (DPO) service will support the legal processes required for FEGA data deposition, including Data Processing Agreements (DPAs). GLIM-BioData will provide templates and guidelines to address common legal and ethical issues in sensitive data stewardship within Research Infrastructures.

Task 3.3 Creating Awareness 

Many institutions are still unaware of the available solutions for the complete life cycle of sensitive data. This includes its collection, storage, processing, sharing, and re-use. In coordination with WP1, a roadshow will be carried out close to the stakeholders, the major institutions dealing with sensitive data, in order to create awareness about the existence of resources like FEGA and Beacon in articulation .

Plan, structure, develop, prepare, implement, evaluate, and certify training in the areas of bioinformatics, data management and data stewards. Synergies with the consortium Re.Data have already been identified and will be fostered.

Task 4.1 “Ready for BioData Management?” Pool of Trainers

The needs of training in the field of bioinformatics, data management and data stewards in all associated institutions will be identified in the BioData.pt Technical meeting. BioData.pt Training Platform will meet to identify possible Trainer.  The trainers of GLIM-BioData Centre will  be certified by the ELIXIR (following a “Train-the-Trainers” course), and utilise active learning methodologies, particularly project-based learning, which allows for the development of a micro-certification system for the individuals trained by GLIM-BioData Centre.

Task 4.2 “Ready for BioData Management?” Training

GLIM-BioData will offer ELIXIR-aligned training in Life and Health Data Management to empower national researchers and technicians. The intensive “Ready4Intensive” courses will introduce RDM across the data lifecycle using tools like Galaxy, DataVerse, and DSW, with no prior RDM experience required. Led by BioData.pt experts using ELIXIR RDMkit resources, the programme will expand in scope and aim for ECTS accreditation to integrate into higher education.

Task 4.3 Training in Management of Biodiversity/Life Data

To encourage data reuse, training will be developed on accessing, processing, and curating the EMO BON and FAIR-EASE datasets. This will support new queries on biodiversity data with improved interoperability through RDM services. With the FAIR-EASE Interdisciplinary Data Discovery and Access Service, data can be used to query existing aggregated biodiversity results and various environmental climatic datasets.

Task 4.4 Training in eLabFTW

Two hands-on training sessions at CCMAR and CIIMAR will introduce new users to eLabFTW, promoting FAIR principles from the start of data collection. Aimed at researchers, technicians, and data managers, the sessions will cover experiment documentation, inventory management, and collaborative tools for better data practices.

Task 4.5 Training Data Stewards for Life Sciences

GLIM-BioData will deliver two new “Training Data Stewards for Life Sciences” sessions to strengthen the national data steward network. Combining online and in-person formats with project-based learning, the course will cover FAIR principles, data workflows, and tools like GitHub and Dataverse. Open to 32 participants, it requires prior completion of the Ready4Intensive course. All materials, including recorded lectures, will be made publicly available.

Task 4.6 Capacity Building

Anchored in training courses and other science dissemination events such as technical meetings, community and platform meetings, and general meetings with members of all associates, and conferences (e.g. the Microbiome Summit 2021 and 2023, organised by BioData.pt), the GLIM-BioData will promote national and international collaboration and create links between academia and industry. To this end, we count on a long-standing partner, P-Bio, which connects with the Portuguese Biotechnology Industries, as well as other partnerships that have emerged, anchored in Knowledge Exchange programmes promoted by ELIXIR.

Develop and implement strategies for the sustainable growth of GLIM-BioData, including financial planning, resource allocation, and enhancement of data management infrastructure, will be promoted in collaboration with the WP1. Opportunities for skills development, career advancement, and training for GLIM-BioData members will be promoted in collaboration with WP4.

Task 5.1 Facilitation of collaborations within communities and Portuguese Data Steward Network

GLIM-BioData members will be encouraged to join cross-disciplinary research communities via mailing lists, Slack, and shared cloud folders. Open Science Working Groups on sensitive and non-sensitive data will be created to share best practices and strengthen ties with the Portuguese Data Steward Network, contributing to monthly meetings, resource sharing, and defining the RDM Data Professional profile in life sciences.

Task 5.2 Identification and Development of Resources

Work towards the identification and development of essential national computational and software resources necessary for cutting-edge research in the life and health sciences, ensuring that these resources comply with European standards and protocols to enhance their visibility and impact.

Task 5.3 Participation in projects promoted by European infrastructures (ESFRI) and projects funded by European funds

Actively participate in European projects and projects promoted by ESFRI (e.g., the ELIXIR Europe infrastructure), which have the potential to transform national strategies in the areas of health and life sciences, through knowledge, resources, and collaborations.

Task 5.4 Visibility and Advocacy

GLIM-BioData will promote its activities nationally and internationally, highlighting the role of data-driven research in health and life sciences. It will integrate and actively contribute to the Portuguese Data Stewards Network by creating a biological data sub-group and a core team for sensitive data. The centre will foster collaboration across networks and share key resources, events, and training on data stewardship and RDM.

Task 5.5 KPIs Definition and Impact Monitorisation

GLIM-BioData’s quality and impact will be monitored using quantitative and qualitative KPIs, following CoARA’s research assessment principles and the RI-PATHS impact pathways. This approach ensures recognition of diverse outputs and aligns with practices already implemented at BioData.pt.