Looking for genetics software to write

[Savoyardal]

I hope this is an OK place to ask. I am a software engineer with a bit of experience working on decision support tools and analytics packages for sequencing data (mostly analyzing BAM and VCF files). I'm looking for something to work on as a hobby. Preferably something new that I can build from scratch. I'm open to anything really.

One idea I had was a system for cataloging and retrieving data from sequencing runs. Most of the labs I've worked with store their runs on a network drive somewhere. Some even just keep them on the storage attached to the sequencer or worse, external hard drives. Presumably they could use something like BaseSpace but don't. So I'm thinking anything that is better than just throwing the data out on the network would be useable.

Would this be useful? Or maybe there's something else that would be useful?

[blancha]

I don't see the utility of this particular program.
I don't see anything wrong with an individual lab storing their data on a network drive.
If they do want to use software to manage their data, it doesn't need to be specific to sequencing runs either.
A well-defined folder structure works fine, in my opinion, for just one lab to manage their data. It's simple, cost-effective and flexible.
The big issues are the lack of storage space, and the cost of storage, not so much the absence of software to catalog the data.

For big sequencing centers, there already are programs available to manage their data, e.g. Nanuq.

http://www.gqinnovationcenter.com/documents/technicalNotes/technicalNotes_GQ18.pdf

Just my personal opinion, on this specific idea.

As far as other programs are concerned, I'm sure there is a need, but I don't have any specific ideas at the moment.

[Savoyardal]

I had not seen Nanuq before. Thanks for the honesty feedback!