BioVeL: A virtual laboratory to process biodiversity research data

BioVeL 2nd Annula Meeting at FRB's Centre for the Synthesis and Analysis of Biodiversity (CESAB)

The European research consortium BioVeL (Biodiversity Virtual e-Laboratory, www.biovel.eu) held its Second Annual Meeting at the Foundation for Research on Biodiversity's (FRB) research centre for the synthesis and analysis of biodiversity (CESAB, www.cesab.org) on the Technopôle de l'Arbois near Aix-en-Provence, France, September 3-7, 2012.

A virtual laboratory to process biodiversity research data

BioVeL is a virtual laboratory especially designed for the analysis of data collected and studied by biodiversity researchers. With BioVeL, a researcher uses "workflows" – a succession of data processing steps – to analyse one's own data or those made available by others. A researcher can create his own workflow or re-use an existing one, as is or tailoring it. This approach saves time and resources for example in the study of ecological niches or in population modelling research.

BioVeL also facilitates collaborations between researchers from different disciplines and offers access to a network of experts in the analyses of biodiversity data. It fosters a community of research in biodiversity at the European and international level.

A European consortium of biodiversity researchers and of informatics engineers

Launched in September 2011, BioVeL is financed for three years by the FP7 Programme of the European Commission. This project is developed by a consortium made of 15 research institutions from 9 countries. Researchers that participate are experts in biodiversity and ecological systems (taxonomy, phylogenetics, ecological niche and population modelling, etc.) and informatics engineers. The FRB (www.fondationbiodiversite.fr) is the French partner of the project and is responsible for its communication and Specific Support Centre that will develop training tools and sessions.

BioVeL at CESAB: meetings and collaborations

While on the Technopôle de l'Arbois, BioVeL group has evaluated and annotated its first "workflows" that are scheduled for release this Autumn. It planned this launching and the technical support that it will require. It also considered liaisons with other projects and consortia, and in particular with LifeWatch (www.lifewatch.eu).