Using GMOD to Annotate and Distribute Data in the Cloud

As sequencing technology becomes faster and less expensive, there is an increasing need for computing resources and software to process the data it produces. Making use of "cloud computing"--hosting data and/or applications on existing networked computer systems--to give users access to preconfigured, extensible servers is an alternative to building and maintaining large computing infrastructure in-house. The GMOD project has created a community annotation server with a Chado database, GBrowse2, JBrowse, Tripal, and Apollo or WebApollo installed, hosted by Amazon Web Services. Users can clone the GMOD Amazon Machine Image (AMI) and create their own server for storing data and making it accessible to the public. Potential applications of the GMOD AMI range from short term usage, such as during annotation jamborees, to the long term provision of access to genome data and applications to the community.