Case Study

VE3 Enables High-Performance Cloud-Based Research Platform on AWS

Scaling Genomics Research

About the Customer

Health trusts and research labs across the UK are at the forefront of genomics research, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These institutions require advanced digital and cloud solutions through NHS SBS to enhance their operations, improve data management, streamline workflows, and boost their research capabilities. With the significant amount of data these organizations manage, there is a pressing need to scale resources effectively to meet increasing demands while also reducing costs. Cloud solutions are essential to achieving these goals, enabling efficient healthcare delivery and accelerating research advancements in genomics and other critical areas of medical science.

Challenges

Limited Computing Power

The on-premises infrastructure was struggling to keep up with the computational demands of expanding genomic research. The hardware limitations were causing significant delays in data processing and analysis, directly impacting the pace of research.

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High Maintenance Costs

The costs associated with maintaining and upgrading the on-premises high-performance computing (HPC) cluster were escalating. Resources that could have been allocated to research were instead being used to manage and maintain outdated infrastructure.

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Collaboration Barriers

With researchers located across various regions, the existing system was inadequate in facilitating seamless collaboration. Sharing large datasets and coordinating analyses in real-time was challenging, slowing down collaborative efforts and data-driven discoveries.

VE3’s Solution

A Cloud-Based Research Platform on AWS

To overcome these challenges, we at VE3 collaborated closely with the institution’s IT and research teams to design and implemented a cutting-edge cloud-based research platform on AWS. Our team designed a scalable cloud architecture tailored to the institution’s needs, including high-performance computing, secure data management, and efficient collaboration tools for genomic research.

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Implementation and Deployment

  • High-Performance Computing (HPC) Environment: We set up a scalable and robust computing environment on AWS, enabling researchers to run complex simulations, data analyses, and genetic studies without being constrained by hardware limitations. The environment was designed to automatically scale based on the computational demands, ensuring optimal performance at all times.
  • Data Management and Security: Our team implemented stringent data management practices, including encryption, access controls, and audit trails, to ensure the integrity and security of sensitive genetic data. AWS’s compliance with various global standards further reinforced the institution’s data security posture.
  • Data Encryption and Secure Communication: We applied strong encryption to safeguard genetic data both at rest and in transit using AWS Key Management Service (KMS). Data in Amazon S3 and S3 Glacier was encrypted with customer-managed keys, while SSL/TLS protocols secured communications between AWS services.

Ongoing Support and Optimization

  • Performance Monitoring and Updates: Regularly monitored the platform's performance and applied updates to enhance efficiency and security.
  • Model and Data Integration Updates: Ensured the platform could integrate new data sources and adapt to the institution's evolving research requirements.
  • Cost Management: Continuously evaluated resource usage to maintain cost-efficiency.

Results and Benefits

The implementation of AWS Professional Services brought transformative results for the research institution

  • Increased Computational Capacity: The new cloud-based platform increased the institution’s computational capacity by 300%, allowing them to process and analyze vast amounts of genetic data at unprecedented speeds. This acceleration in computational power enabled researchers to complete projects faster and take on more complex studies.
  • Significant Cost Savings: By utilizing Amazon EC2 Spot Instances and AWS Batch, we cut computing costs by 50%. This reduction in expenses allowed the institution to redirect funds from infrastructure maintenance to advancing their research initiatives, thus maximizing their research investments.
  • Enhanced Collaboration: The new platform broke down collaboration barriers, enabling researchers to work together more effectively, regardless of their physical location. This improvement in collaboration capabilities significantly enhanced the institution's research output and innovation potential.

Conclusion

The partnership between VE3 and the research institutions resulted in a highly successful transformation of their computational infrastructure. By moving to a cloud-based platform on AWS, we not only solved the immediate challenges of limited computing power, high maintenance costs, and collaboration barriers, but we also positioned the institution to achieve long-term success in their genomics research endeavours. Our tailored solution enabled the institution to scale its research operations, improve collaboration across global teams, and significantly reduce operational costs. With the new AWS-powered platform, the institution is better equipped to drive scientific discoveries, develop new treatments, and continue its leadership in the field of genomics and biomedical research.

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