Big Data in Biomedical Research – Using the UK Biobank in Ireland

Why? The UK Biobank is the one of the world’s largest biomedical databases with both deep genetic and rich phenotypic data collected on ~500,000 participants. Over 1,800 peer-review papers have been published using UK Biobank data and over 20,000 researchers use the resource worldwide. Despite this, there is sparse use of the resource in Ireland. Furthermore, due to the impact of COVID-19 to research cohort recruitment, more and more researchers are looking to biomedical databases to continue their work.

What is it? This is a half-day, online workshop consisting of six talks from UK Biobank experts and leading researchers using the resource, a PhD candidate UK Biobank project thesis-in-three session (Prizes- 1st: €250, 2nd: €150, 3rd: €100) and a collaboration session (Prize: €100).

Who? Researchers in biomedical research and postgraduate students from relevant fields (e.g. genetics & genomics, data science and analytics, and other biomedical sciences/clinical research) based on the island of Ireland. Open to all levels from PhD candidate to principal investigators. It is also open to those from biomedical research companies based in Ireland.

The workshop agenda may be found here: Big Data in Biomedical Research Agenda (pdf)

Impact?

1. Encourage the use of the UK Biobank in Ireland

2. Help researchers looking alternative data sources for projects disrupted by COVID-19

3. Facilitate collaborations between researchers/ research group

Hosted by:

1. Thomas Dinneen, Dr Nadia Bolshakova & Prof. Louise Gallagher- Autism Research Group, Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin.

2. Dr Cathy Wyse & Dr Lorna M. Lopez - Family Genomics Research Group, Department of Biology, Maynooth University.

Sponsored by: The UK Biobank (https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/)

Data Protection Policy

1. General Regulations: The Big Data in Biomedical Research workshop Organising Committee reserves the right to amend the existing data protection regulations in strict accordance with prevailing legal norms at any time.

1.1. Personal Data: Your voluntarily transmitted personal details (through submission in our online form) will be collected, saved and processed in accordance with the most recent legislation on data protection. A registration to the Big Data in Biomedical Research workshop is not possible without collecting, saving and processing your personal data. This is solely for the purpose of organising and realising the event. Your data will only be passed on to third parties, who are directly involved in running the event and when the organisational process makes it necessary.

1.2. Photos/Films: By registering to attend Big Data in Biomedical Research workshop, you grant permission to the Big Data in Biomedical Research workshop Organising Committee to use photos/films taken from you or your company presence for marketing purposes (event reporting, promotion of follow-up events and self-marketing) for an indefinite period of time. If you do not want to have any photos/films taken of you published, you may contact us at any time at autism@tcd.ie.

2. Information Obligation: We would be pleased to provide you with the following information describing the type, purpose and scope of the processing of your personal data.

2.1. Controller And Processor Controller: Trinity College Dublin & Maynooth University. Processors: The Big Data in Biomedical Research workshop Organising Committee (Trinity College Dublin & Maynooth University).

2.2. Purposes of Processing: The data are processed for participant management for the event, and will involve name, email address and organisation.

2.3. Legal Basis for the data processing purposes: Binding completion of the registration for the participation of the selected event.

2.4. Data Storage Period: All data are stored for 1 year to permit post-event support and service only (i.e. belated participation confirmations). Upon request of the person concerned, their data will be deleted within 48 hours of receipt of request.