Owner controlled data exchange in nutrigenomic collaborations: the NuGO information network

Abstract

New 'omics' technologies are changing nutritional sciences research. They enable to tackle increasingly complex questions but also increase the need for collaboration between research groups. An important challenge for successful collaboration is the management and structured exchange of information that accompanies data-intense technologies. NuGO, the European Nutrigenomics Organization, the major collaborating network in molecular nutritional sciences, is supporting the application of modern information technologies in this area. We have developed and implemented a concept for data management and computing infrastructure that supports collaboration between nutrigenomics researchers. The system fills the gap between "private" storing with occasional file sharing by email and the use of centralized databases. It provides flexible tools to share data, also during experiments, while preserving ownership. The NuGO Information Network is a decentral, distributed system for data exchange based on standard web technology. Secure access to data, maintained by the individual researcher, is enabled by web services based on the the BioMoby framework. A central directory provides information about available web services. The flexibility of the infrastructure allows a wide variety of services for data processing and integration by combining several web services, including public services. Therefore, this integrated information system is suited for other research collaborations.

A genome-wide survey for SNPs altering microRNA seed sites identifies functional candidates in GWAS

“…To retrieve allele frequency data on SNPs reported in MRESSs and CNMs, we utilized the Perl API variation tools accessing the latest human genome variation data, build 61. All data analysis was performed on the NUGO information network [ 51 ].…”

Joint Data Analysis in Nutritional Epidemiology: Identification of Observational Studies and Minimal Requirements

“…The DASH-IN will 1) show the numerous benefits of connecting those nutritional epidemiologic studies of similar design by creating opportunities for collaborative and multicenter research, 2) increase the efficiency of secondary usage of existing data, 3) improve the generalizability of results, and 4) improve the validity of comparative studies. We therefore envision that the DASH-IN may enhance the capacity of nutritionists, biologists, epidemiologists, and clinicians to carry out high-impact research with particular emphasis on omics data (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics) to study the complex relation and interaction between nutrition and human health through genes and metabolome profiles (55,56) once these data become available.…”

Looking back into the future: 30 years of metabolomics at TNO

“…In 2004, TNO coestablished and coordinated the European Nutrigenomics organization (NuGO), which has been instrumental to develop nutritional metabolomics technology (Kaput et al, ; Scalbert et al, ), concepts (Daniel et al, ; Van Ommen et al, ), and proof‐of‐principle studies (Cavalieri et al, ). This work became the basis of the nutrigenomics‐based NuGO consortium (Baccini et al, ; Harttig et al, ). A key feature of nutritional metabolomics is the concept of the “biomarker of health,” which is based on quantification of the stress–response curve after perturbation of homeostasis (Van Ommen et al, ; Wopereis et al, ).…”