Genomics labs can unlock new frontiers by using Amazon Web Services (AWS) to access powerful computing tools without the need for costly, space-consuming infrastructure. You can access the resources necessary to analyze big data genomic pipelines, store petabytes of data, and share your results with collaborators around the world without needing any more hardware than a standard off-the-shelf computer.
If you are already dealing with a large and growing volume of genomic data, your projects might benefit from tools such as Amazon Elastic MapReduce (EMR), a Hadoop framework that runs on AWS and can dramatically speed up data processing for large data sets.
AWS makes it easy to securely store large volumes of genomic data without having to continually invest in infrastructure that takes up precious lab space. You decide the region, or regions where your data is stored and you only pay for the storage that you use.
Share your data with your collaborators whether they are down the hall or on the other side of the globe. AWS can provide a central, shared source of data where you and your colleagues can analyze the data with the analysis tools of your choice.
Learn about how NYU Langone Medical Center enhanced their collaborations with AWS »
AWS provides all of the basic building blocks necessary to create your own cloud supercomputer. You can create an account and launch your first machine in minutes. You won't need specialized computer hardware or, more importantly, extensive facilities to host servers.
The security features in the AWS will give you peace of mind that your data can be kept secure. AWS data centers are in buildings that utilize state-of-the art electronic surveillance systems and are staffed 24/7 by security guards. Your data is secured by a firewall by default, and you have the ability to encrypt data while in transit and at rest, with encryption keys you can store yourself, with AWS, or using a Hardware Security Module.
Visit the AWS Security Center for a full list of security features »
Internet Connection - your lab's standard web connection can be used to access all of the AWS services.
AWS Direct Connect - establishes a direct, private, hourly connection between your premises and AWS, which can provide transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps.
Popular data transfer tools - AWS Marketplace features dozens of common software packages for data transfer to the cloud.
AWS Import/Export - allows you to mail your large datasets to AWS stored on portable storage devices or hard drives.
Learn more about:
AWS Direct Connect » | AWS Marketplace » | AWS Import/Export »
AWS lends a hand to the scientific community by providing labs with access to a large and growing number of public data sets at no cost. These include data sets relevant to genomics researchers like the 1000 Genome Project, which contains data from genomes from thousands of people from around the world.
If your lab handles confidential human data, you can rest easy knowing that AWS ensures you can put the proper standards in place to maintain the privacy of your research subjects. AWS is a participant in the Safe Harbor Program developed by the US, EU and Switzerland. AWS can also sign Business Associate Agreements for applications that use information covered by the U.S. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
