Development of an endocrine genomics virtual research environment for Australia: building on success

Abstract

The $47m Australian National eResearch Collaboration Tools and Resources (NeCTAR - www.nectar.org.au) project has recently funded an initiative to establish an Australia-wide endocrine genomics virtual laboratory (endoVL – www.endovl.org.au) covering a range of disorders including type-1, type-2 diabetes, rare diabetes-related disorders, obesity/thyroid disorders, neuroendocrine/adrenal tumours, bone disorders and disorders of sex development. This virtual laboratory will establish a range of targeted databases, clinical registries and support a range of genetically targeted clinical trials leveraging a body of international projects and experiences garnered over many years through a range of EU and MRC funded initiatives. This paper focuses on the plans for endoVL and especially, the systems it leverages in supporting large-scale clinical, collaborative environments.