Full project title:  Using sciences, technology and society studies research to move genomics discoveries from bench to bedside: identification of data integration and sociotechnical issues arising in personalized medicine and translational bioinformatics

Project Leader:
Ellen Balka

Lead Institution:
Simon Fraser University

Research Funding Program:
Strategic Opportunities Fund - Round 4

This project is innovative in its application of theory and methods from science, technology and society studies to data integration problems in biomedical genomics. It is of strategic importance to BC’s life sciences and genomics sectors, because fully realizing benefits of genomics requires resolution of data integration issues. Early resolution will yield competitive advantage. An inventory of data sources, tools and software currently used by BC genomics researchers will stimulate discussions about data integration issues.

In depth case studies of two bioinformatics labs, a report outlining issues raised by BC biomedical genomics researchers about socio-technical challenges related to data integration, a framework and guidelines for approaching data integration issues, literature syntheses concerned with cyber-infrastructures and data integration, and a stakeholder engagement workshop to disseminate and obtain feedback about findings and contribute to partnership development are other practical outcomes. The project will be conducted using a multi-method qualitative research design which includes ethnographic case studies, interviews with stakeholders, and application of theoretical concepts to the study of an applied problem.