On December 6 and 7, 2023, the first GFBio seminar took place in Bremen under the motto “Quo vadis, GFBio core services?”. The aim of the event was to shed light on the current status and future development of the GFBio core services and to promote a constructive exchange among members.
Occasion and goals
With the end of the GFBio project funding, the German Federation for Biological Data (GFBio e.V.) has assumed responsibility for the maintenance and further development of the core services for the management of biological data developed in the project. These services form the basis for the service portfolio of NFDI4Biodiversity, the successor project to GFBio. The event was intended to provide an overview of current developments and invite members and employees to express their wishes and suggestions for improvement.
Contents and results
GFBio – Role and status
To kick things off, the service providers reported on the current status of the core services and the progress made over the last two years in brief “lightning talks”. In various discussion rounds, the participants developed concrete proposals for the future of the GFBio services:
What constitutes a core service of the Gesellschaft für Biologische Daten e.V.?
The participants agreed that a core service should offer professional support and provide relevant, non-redundant services for the community. One rule of thumb was: “No support, no core service”.
How well are our core services currently working?
Constructive suggestions for improvement were collected, including usability and documentation of the services.
Quo vadis, GFBio core services? What should be tackled next?
Specific technical development tasks such as stabilizing functionalities and improving the infrastructure were discussed here.
How can shared responsibility be organized?
The need for a regular exchange between the core service operators was emphasized in order to discuss news and problems.
What role should the association play in the research data landscape?
The members voted for greater visibility of the association as a mediator and central point of contact for biological data and would like to see the joint development of projects. The association is a model for functioning cooperation and wants to continue its involvement in the National Research Data Infrastructure (NFDI).
Positive atmosphere and networking
The event was characterized not only by its depth of content, but also by its open and friendly atmosphere. Members and employees took the opportunity to exchange ideas and make new contacts. Feedback at the end of the seminar showed that the trip to Bremen was a worthwhile experience for many and that there is a great desire for further meetings.
Conclusion and outlook
The first GFBio seminar was a big success and not only addressed current challenges and developments, but also strengthened the spirit of community and cooperation. The suggestions and wishes of the participants will be incorporated into future planning in order to continuously improve the GFBio core services and adapt them to the needs of the community. We look forward to future events and further exchange within the GFBio Association. See you next time!