GLUE: A flexible software system for virus sequence data

Abstract

Virus genome sequences, generated in ever-higher volumes, can provide new scientific insights and inform our responses to epidemics and outbreaks. To facilitate interpretation, such data must be organised and processed within scalable computing resources that encapsulate virology expertise. GLUE (Genes Linked by Underlying Evolution) is a data-centric bioinformatics environment for building such resources. Its flexible design emphasises applicability to different viruses and to diverse needs within research, clinical or public health contexts. A sequence data resource for hepatitis C virus (HCV) with clinical and research applications is presented as a case study.