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

• Published in: F1000 research Vol. 4; p. 33
• Main Authors: Eijssen, Lars, Evelo, Chris T., Kok, Ruben, Mons, Barend, Hooft, Rob W.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, UK F1000Research 2016; F1000 Research Ltd
• Subjects: Bioinformatics; Data Sharing; Genomics; Science & Medical Education; Science & Medical Policies
• ISSN: 2046-1402; 2046-1402
• DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.6009.2

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.