Adapting federated cyberinfrastructure for shared data collection facilities in structural biology

Area of Science:

• Structural biology
• Biophysics
• Data science

Background:

• Early-stage experimental data in structural biology is often unmaintained and inaccessible.
• Archiving and publishing this foundational data is increasingly recognized as essential.
• Shared scientific facilities like synchrotron beamlines face challenges with data storage, access, and remote user management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a prototype system for improving the operational environment at synchrotron data collection facilities.
• To adapt existing federated cyberinfrastructure technology for structural biology data management.
• To address challenges in data storage, access, and movement for shared scientific facilities.

Main Methods:

• Utilized software from the Virtual Data Toolkit and Globus.
• Adapted existing federated cyberinfrastructure technologies.
• Integrated users and facilities from multiple institutions including Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, Advanced Photon Source, Open Science Grid, SBGrid Consortium, and Harvard Medical School.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated a prototype system significantly improving the user and administrator experience.
• Successfully brought together federated users and facilities.
• Provided a model for data management at shared scientific facilities.

Conclusions:

• The prototype system offers a viable model for data management at shared scientific facilities.
• Federated cyberinfrastructure can effectively address data accessibility and management challenges.
• Improved data handling is critical for advancing structural biology research.