GMI13 Overview of Events
GMI Meeting
September 13-15, Wosk Centre for Dialogue, Vancouver
GMI13 will focus on the critical importance of equity and interoperability (semantic, process, systems) in developing a global microbial genomics data sharing ecosystem. The meeting will feature sessions that highlight other global genomics initiatives tackling similar challenges; international partnerships between high income and low-to-middle-income countries focusing on lessons learned for equitable data sharing; updates from public sequence repositories and surveillance networks; and Work Group breakout sessions focusing on the development of priority actions.
GMI Meeting Agenda
The draft GMI13 program is presented below, followed by session descriptions which provide further details.
The GMI Meeting Agenda is a work in progress. Please stay tuned for updates.
Day 1
| 9:00 – 9:10am | Welcome, Opening Remarks |
| 9:10 – 9:25am | First Nations Ceremony |
| 9:25 – 9:50am | Reimagining the Microbial Genomics Data Sharing Ecosystem |
| 9:50 – 10:15am | Global Genomic Surveillance Strategy |
| 10:15 – 10:30am | Biobreak |
| 10:30 – 12:00pm | Getting on the Radar: International Initiatives in Microbial Genomics Data Sharing and Standardization (International Organizations/Initiatives) |
| 12:00 – 1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 – 2:45pm | Data Sharing and Interoperability in Laboratory Networks |
| 2:45 – 4:00pm | The Proof is in the Pudding: Interoperability of Platforms for Infectious Disease Surveillance (data + analysis) (how to achieve interoperability, openness, portability) |
| 4:00 – 4:15pm | Biobreak |
| 4:15 – 5:30pm | Public Repositories and Data Sharing Platforms (updates, standards, interoperability) |
| 5:30 – 5:45pm | Recap |
Day 2
| 9:00 – 9:10am | Welcome back |
| 9:10 – 9:45am | Indigenous Data Governance and Data Sharing Experiences |
| 9:45 – 10:45am | Overcoming the Challenges of Integrating WGS in LMICs (Panel discussion) |
| 10:45 – 11:00am | Biobreak |
| 11:00 – 12:00pm | Exploring Tools for Equitable Data Sharing (breakout groups) |
| 12:00 – 1:30pm | Lunch |
| 1:30 – 2:30pm | LMIC/HIC: Lessons from Joint Applied Genomics Projects Around the World (rules of engagement, establishing trust, benefits, integrated activities, decision-making) |
| 2:30 – 3:30pm | Building Trust and Building Bridges: Academic-Public Health Partnerships (rules of engagement, establishing trust, benefits, integrated activities, decision-making) |
| 3:30 – 3:45pm | Biobreak |
| 3:45 – 5:00pm | Keeping Gas in the Tank: Sustainability Round Table with Funders, Journals Decision-Makers |
| 5:00 – 5:15pm | Recap |
Day 3
| 9:00 – 9:10am | Welcome back |
| 9:10 – 10:15am | GMI Work Group Priorities & Progress – status updates, sustainability |
| 10:15 – 10:30am | BioBreak |
| 10:30 – 12:00pm | Breakout Discussions Theme 1: Data Harmonization Approaches Theme 2: Data Governance Structure Theme 3: Data Sharing Platforms Theme 4: Sustainability and Funding |
| 12:00 – 12:15pm | Announcing GMI14 – Barcelona, Spain |
| 12:15 – 12:30pm | Closing Remarks and Wrap Up |
Session Descriptions
Reimagining the Microbial Genomics Data Sharing Ecosystem
This introductory session will provide a thematic overview of the intent of the GMI 13 Meeting. Themes will include i) technical mechanisms and data standards for enabling interoperability, reproducibility, and comparability of results; and ii) frameworks for building trust and equitable benefit sharing.
Global Genomic Surveillance Strategy
The World Health Organization’s 10 year genomic surveillance strategy as well as recommendations for data sharing practices have been released. This session will provide an overview of those recommendations and provide an opportunity for feedback and discussion.
Getting on the Radar: International Initiatives in Microbial Genomics Data Sharing and Standardization
There are an increasing number of organizations and initiatives with the mandate of improving the availability, functionality, distribution and interoperability of microbial genomics and bioinformatics resources. This session will highlight the activities of some of these organizations, and emphasize the need for global coordination.
Data Sharing and Interoperability in Laboratory Networks
Laboratories can share data with public repositories, however, labs must sometimes share data first with trusted partners owing to institutional policies and data sharing agreements. This session will examine the challenges and successes of data sharing in some of those networks.
The Proof is in the Pudding: Interoperability of Platforms for Infectious Disease Surveillance
Different laboratories can use different analysis and data management platforms for performing disease surveillance activities. Data and results from different platforms must be interoperable for effective communication and monitoring of known and emerging threats. This session will present some of the platforms available, and focus on how they contribute to the global data sharing ecosystem.
Public Repositories and Data Sharing Platforms
Public repositories as well as other data sharing platforms play a key role in connecting data providers and data users. This session will provide updates from repositories and platforms, and present discussions on interoperability, as well as the thorny issues of data access, attribution, and control.
Indigenous Data Governance and Data Sharing Experiences
This session will explore Indigenous data governance and stewardship principles as well as data sharing experiences in public health.
Overcoming the Challenges of Integrating WGS in LMICs
This session will feature a panel discussion with representatives from LMICs about the feasibility of integrating WGS into laboratory workflows and sustaining routine genomic surveillance programs.
Exploring Tools for Equitable Data Sharing
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for more frameworks and tools for ethical and equitable data and benefit sharing. This session will enable participants to evaluate some selected resources in breakout groups and discussions.
LMIC/HIC Partnerships: Lessons from Joint Applied Genomics Projects Around the World
The availability of resources can create power dynamics in collaborative projects, which can have consequences. Establishing trust, articulating roles, and empowering all partners in decision-making is key for successful and sustainable partnerships. This session will explore the lessons learned in successful joint genomics projects, as well as advice for how these successes can be replicated in the community.
Building Trust and Building Bridges: Academic-Public Health Partnerships
Academic research and development can occur at a different pace, and under different circumstances, than operationalizing genomics programs in a public health environment. These differences have historically created barriers to academic-public health partnerships. This session will highlight success stories and the strategies employed to make them a success.
Keeping Gas in the Tank: Sustainability Round Table with Funders, Journals, Decision-makers
Genomic surveillance programs are often catalyzed by one-time funding opportunities without long-term support. This session will explore the roles and responsibilities of government, funders and journals in developing sustainable models for genomics programs and incentives for data sharing.
GMI Priorities & Progress – WG Updates and Discussion
This session will provide a brief overview of Working Group objectives and activities, and re-define current challenges and priorities in the post-pandemic world.