INF - Information Infrastructure Project

Summary

The information infrastructure project INF started in the second funding period of this CRC. The goal was to support the CRC researchers with a common data and metadata management, a science gateway for central access to all IT tools, and to support the users regarding IT usage. As the majority of CRC researchers use MRI images and the associated participant data, a major focus was to implement a central management of MRI data (based on the Open- Source software XNAT), of participant data (with a newly developed Participant Management System – PaMS,), and procedures to assure data quality and integrity. To facilitate recruitment of participants for CRC projects, we integrated PaMS and “Central Experimental Server of the Psychology Department” (ZEP) that is based on the Open-Source system ORSEE. To also ensure consistent participant data within the CRC and to prevent error-prone duplicate entry of participant data, an automatic system to synchronize the data of ORSEE to the PaMS was developed. Thus, PaMS is now the source of “ground truth” of participant data of the CRC.

The aim of the INF project in the third funding period is to extend the capabilities of the current infrastructure. Among others, a comprehensive project and study management tool based on RedCap will be provided to all researchers immediately at the start. Currently, RedCap is already used by two CRC projects (B6, C3). This system allows e.g. the setup and management of projects, studies, surveys, interviews, standardized documentation and metadata. Moreover, the Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing (ZIH) successfully operates RedCap within the newly DFG-funded, transregional, Collaborative Research Centre TRR 265. Since the TRR 265 focuses on clinical and cognitive neuroscience of addictive behavior, the basic demands are equivalent. Therefore, we will capitalize on the experiences gained there. In addition, the PaMS for subject management will be further customized and extended to the requirements of the CRC projects in the upcoming third funding period. In close cooperation with the projects, INF will work on the automation of the research workflows especially regarding data transfer, data storage, metadata generation and storage. All remaining data types will be included in the management together with their metadata. It will be integrated with the already existing tools to allow for a common working environment for the CRC researchers.

The INF project will operate the whole infrastructure (RedCap, XNAT, PaMS, PaMS-ZEP-integration, portal), provide support and training on research data management and tools, as well as further develop and adapt the tools to the researcher needs of the third funding period.

Contact: SFB940-INF

INF Ressources

Information about the tools can be found in the CRC neurowiki (accessible only within the TUD network or via TUD VPN)

Project Members

Principal Investigators

Prof. Dr. Michael Smolka
Deputy Spokesperson; Professor for Systems Neuroscience (W2)
Phone: +49 (0)351 463-42201
E-Mail:

Dr. rer. nat. Ralph Müller-Pfefferkorn
Head of department "Distributed and Data intensive Comuting", Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing
Phone: +49 (0)351 463-39280
E-Mail:

Prof. Dr. Wolfgang E. Nagel
Professor (W3), Director Center for Information Services and High Performance Computing
Phone: +49 (0)351 463-35450
E-Mail:

Staff

Alvaro Aquilera
IT-Specialist
Phone: +49 (0)351 463-33491
E-Mail:

Jens Strehle
Researcher
Phone: +49 (0)351 463-36958
E-Mail:

Publications

Grunzke, R., Müller, D.K.,  Aguilera, A.,  Löschen, Ch.,  Marxen, M.,  Müller-Pfefferkorn, R., Nagel, W.E., Smolka, M.N. (2018) Towards a Unified Virtual Research Environment for Neurosciences, 10th International Workshop on Science Gateways (IWSG 2018), Edinburgh, Scotland, June 13, 2018. To be published.

Grunzke, R., Müller-Pfefferkorn, R., Nagel, W.E., Adolph, T., Biardzki, C., Frank, A., Bode, A., Kazakova, A., Limani, F., Latif, A., Busch, A., Borst, T., Tochtermann, K., Neumann, M., Sousa, N.T., Thomsen, I., Hasselbring, W., Tendel, J., Bungartz, H., & Grimm, C. (2017). Challenges in Creating a Sustainable Generic Research Data Infrastructure. Softwaretechnik-Trends, 37.