ARMONK, N.Y., Oct. 06, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IBM (NYSE:IBM) today announced that the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), a leading research institution, has deployed Aspera to facilitate collaboration between globally dispersed EMBL research units and partner organizations through the secure exchange of large research datasets. The solution reduces transfer times and improves reliability for EMBL, partners and researchers exchanging data.
As Europe’s flagship laboratory for research in the life sciences, EMBL strives to enable scientists to collaborate closely between its five sites in four countries – the main laboratory in Germany, and outstations in France, Germany, Italy and the UK (EMBL-EBI) – and with partners throughout Europe and beyond.
To enable researchers to access state-of-the-art technology and specialist expertise, EMBL operates a network of core facilities, each dedicated to a specific subject, such as the Advanced Light Microscopy Core Facility, the Electron Microscopy Core Facility, or the Genomics Core Facility (GeneCore), which acts in the rapidly expanding field of next-generation sequencing (NGS).
Researchers from across Europe and beyond who send GeneCore their biological samples for analysis benefit from faster turnaround times with Aspera transfers. As soon as EMBL receives a sample, they process and analyze it, index it with metadata and compile a comprehensive information package. The results are then delivered back to the organization at high speed using Aspera. The ever-increasing demand for and capacity of sequencing technologies mean that the amount of data being generated – and consequently the volume of data to transfer – is growing exponentially, making solutions like Aspera crucial.
Aspera Connect Server enables authorized users to upload and download data to EMBL’s vast databases using the self-installing Connect web browser plug-in. Researchers simply log in to the secure web portal, upload the digital data to be distributed and send it to the respective partner, who can download the data set using a high-speed FASPTM transfer.
The solution enables EMBL to distribute 10,000 terabytes of data each year with security and dependability, even over poor connections or long distances. Since its implementation, no data loss has been recorded.
“The Aspera technology proved to be not only extremely fast and reliable, but also secure, as the sensitive data can be encrypted at rest and in transit,” said Dr. Jürgen Zimmermann, Senior Engineer - Automation at EMBL GeneCore.
“Using Aspera, EMBL transports information packages currently reaching up to 30 gigabytes per sample to life sciences research institutions at speeds that are up to 100x greater than previous rates. As a result, EMBL is able to provide services faster than was previously possible, and clients gain valuable time to work on a diverse array of projects, ranging from vaccine development to publishing scientific articles,” said Arnd Kohrs, sales director at Aspera.
Learn more about Aspera’s solutions for the life sciences industry at BIOTECHNICA, 6-8 October, Hall 9, Stand C55.
About Aspera
Aspera, an IBM company, is the creator of next-generation transport technologies that move the world’s data at maximum speed regardless of file size, transfer distance and network conditions. Part of IBM Cloud, Aspera software is powered by the Emmy® award-winning FASP® protocol to deliver the fastest, most predictable file-transfer, share and sync experience across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid infrastructure. Aspera’s core technology delivers unprecedented control over bandwidth, complete security and uncompromising reliability. Organizations across a variety of industries on six continents rely on Aspera software for the business-critical transport of their digital assets. Please visit http://www.asperasoft.com and follow us on Twitter @asperasoft for more information.