Broad Institute, Google Genomics expand access to genome analysis toolkit for researchers

By Zachary Brennan

- Last updated on GMT

Broad Institute, Google Genomics expand access to genome analysis toolkit for researchers

Related tags Genetics

The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard is teaming up with Google Genomics to break down technical barriers hindering biomedical research by creating tools to analyze reams of new genomic data.

Under the non-exclusive partnership, Broad Institute’s Genome Analysis Toolkit (GATK) will be offered as a service on the Google Cloud Platform, which could ultimately eliminate the need for labs to develop additional computing infrastructure on site. The goal of the collaboration is to enable any genomic researcher to upload, store, and analyze data via the Google cloud.

With a primary focus on genetic variant discovery and genotyping, GATK is a free software package​ available to download for academic and non-profit users to analyze high-throughput genomic sequencing data. For-profit companies can license GATK from the institute, and to date, more than 20,000 users have processed genomic data using GATK.

David Glazer, Director of Google Genomics, said: “Google Genomics is helping scientists make genomic information more accessible and useful. By making Broad’s GATK available through the Google Cloud Platform, we hope to accelerate great science​.”

The partnership will allow researchers to upload genetic data and run GATK-powered analyses on the Google Cloud Platform, as well as to use GATK to analyze genetic data already available for research via Google Genomics. An initial alpha release of the GATK service will be made available to a limited set of users, the companies said.

Large-scale genomic information is accelerating scientific progress in cancer, diabetes, psychiatric disorders, and many other diseases​,” said Eric Lander, President and Director of Broad Institute. “Storing, analyzing, and managing these data is becoming a critical challenge for biomedical researchers. We are excited to work with Google’s talented and experienced engineers to develop ways to empower researchers around the world by making it easier to access and use genomic information​.”

The collaboration between the institute and Google may also help to develop a new generation of tools and services that will enable scientists – from large academic institutions, commercial organizations, or small research labs – to uncover a wealth of biological insight, Google said on its blog​.

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