Standardized Informatics Computing Platform for Advancing Biomedical Discovery Through Data Sharing

ObjectiveThe goal is to develop a standardized informatics computing system that can support end-to-end research data lifecycle management for biomedical research applications.\n\nMaterials and MethodsDesign and implementation of biomedical research informatics computing system (BRICS) is demonstrated. The system architecture is modular in design with several integrated tools: global unique identifier, validation, upload, download and query tools that support user friendly informatics system capability.\n\nResultsBRICS instances were deployed to support research for improvements in diagnosis of traumatic brain injury, biomarker discovery for Parkinsons Disease, the National Ophthalmic Disease Genotyping and Phenotyping network, the informatics core for the Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, the Common Data Repository for Nursing Science, Global Rare Diseases Patient Registry, and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Clinical Informatics system for trials and research.\n\nDiscussionData deidentification is conducted by using global unique identifier methodology. No personally identifiable information exists on the BRICS supported repositories. The Data Dictionary provides defined Common Data Elements and Unique Data Elements, specific to each of the BRICS instance that enables Query Tool to search through research data. All instances are supported by the Medical Imaging Processing, statistical analysis R, and Visualization software program.\n\nConclusionThe BRICS core modules can be easily adapted for various biomedical research needs thereby reducing cost in developing new instances for additional biomedical research needs. It provides user friendly tools for researchers to query and aggregate genetic, phenotypic, clinical and medical imaging data. Data sets are findable, accessible and reusable for researchers to foster new research on various diseases.