The Dutch Techcentre for Life Sciences: Enabling data-intensive life science research in the Netherlands

L. Eijssen, C. Evelo, R. Kok, B. Mons, R. Hooft

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

We describe the Data programme of the Dutch Techcentre for Life Sciences (DTL, www.dtls.nl). DTL is a new national organisation in scientific research that facilitates life scientists with technologies and technological expertise in an era where new projects often are data-intensive, multi-disciplinary, and multi-site. It is run as a lean not-for-profit organisation with research organisations (both academic and industrial) as paying members. The small staff of the organisation undertakes a variety of tasks that are necessary to perform or support modern academic research, but that are not easily undertaken in a purely academic setting. DTL Data takes care of such tasks related to data stewardship, facilitating exchange of knowledge and expertise, and brokering access to e-infrastructure. DTL also represents the Netherlands in ELIXIR, the European infrastructure for life science data. The organisation is still being fine-tuned and this will continue over time, as it is crucial for this kind of organisation to adapt to a constantly changing environment. However, already being underway for several years, our experiences can benefit researchers in other fields or other countries setting up similar initiatives.
Original languageEnglish
Article number33
JournalF1000Research
Volume4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

Cite this