Neuroscience Data in the Cloud : Opportunities and Challenges: Proceedings of a Workshop

The cloud model of data sharing has led to a vast increase in the quantity and complexity of data and expanded access to these data, which has attracted many more researchers, enabled multi-national neuroscience collaborations, and facilitated the development of many new tools. Yet, the cloud model has also produced new challenges related to data storage, organization, and protection. Merely switching the technical infrastructure from local repositories to cloud repositories is not enough to optimize data use.

To explore the burgeoning use of cloud computing in neuroscience, the National Academies Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders hosted a workshop on September 24, 2019. A broad range of stakeholders involved in cloud-based neuroscience initiatives and research explored the use of cloud technology to advance neuroscience research and shared approaches to address current barriers. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop.

The cloud model of data sharing has led to a vast increase in the quantity and complexity of data and expanded access to these data, which has attracted many more researchers, enabled multi-national neuroscience collaborations, and facilitated the development of many new tools. Yet, the cloud model has also produced new challenges related to data storage, organization, and protection. Merely switching the technical infrastructure from local repositories to cloud repositories is not enough to optimize data use. To explore the burgeoning use of cloud computing in neuroscience, the National Academies Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders hosted a workshop on September 24, 2019. A broad range of stakeholders involved in cloud-based neuroscience initiatives and research explored the use of cloud technology to advance neuroscience research and shared approaches to address current barriers. This publication summarizes the presentation and discussion of the workshop. Table of ContentsFront Matter1 Introduction and Background2 Harnessing Cloud-Based Technologies to Advance Neuroscience Research: Select Current InitiativesPart 1: Cloud-Based Technologies for Neuroscience Research: Challenges and Potential Solutions3 Protecting Privacy in the Cloud4 Managing Data and Promoting Interoperability in the Cloud5 Assigning Credit, Determining Ownership, and Licensing Data in the Cloud6 Governing, Funding, and Sustaining Cloud-Based PlatformsPart 2: Different Types of Neuroscience Data: Challenges and Potential Opportunities7 Clinical Trial and Research Data8 Genetic Data9 Neuroimaging Data10 Real-World Data11 Future DirectionsAppendix A: ReferencesAppendix B: Workshop AgendaAppendix C: Registered In-Person Attendees