The Advanced Computing Committee (ACC) is undertaking a project to develop protocols for centrally managed specialist software licences. The ACC received several applications over the last few years for genomic analytics software licences, specifically QIAGEN. UCT will not fund licences that require annual renewal but will undertake to support and negotiate optimal pricing on behalf of multiple groups requiring licences such as QIAGEN for their research. There are significant benefits and strategic value of an institutionally shared QIAGEN Bioinformatics software license program. This collaborative approach not only optimises resource allocation across departments and research groups but also fosters interdisciplinary innovation by providing wider access to world-class bioinformatics tools.
QIAGEN offers industry-leading software platforms - such as QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench, QIAGEN Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and OmicSoft - that are central to non-bioinformatics experts to undertake genomic data analysis, variant interpretation, and systems biology research. These tools support a range of applications, from NGS data processing to pathway enrichment and biomarker discovery.
Benefits of the Shared License Model
- Cost efficiency: centralised licensing drastically reduces the per-user cost and avoids duplication across labs or faculties.
- Improved accessibility: more researchers can access advanced tools without requiring individual group budgets to absorb the full software cost.
- Flexible usage: the concurrent license model enables multiple users to access the software as needed, with smart scheduling maximising availability.
- Cross-collaboration: facilitates shared workflows between departments, leading to joint grant applications, co-authored publications, and enhanced research visibility.
Success stories
- A survey of universities has shown that Genomics Facilities and Departments of Medical Genetics currently share access to QIAGEN IPA for the interpretation of rare disease variants. By coordinating analysis schedules, these teams maximise utility while minimising downtime.
- Researchers in the Infectious Diseases Units are jointly using QIAGEN CLC Genomics Workbench alongside Bioinformatics Hubs to analyse pathogen sequencing data and rapidly adapt pipelines to emerging strains.
- Cancer Research Groups and Translational Biology Units collaboratively use OmicSoft for integrated multi-omics analysis, streamlining complex data interpretation through shared access and training.
As genomic research is now becoming a central pillar, many biological studies and this work is often undertaken by students that lack bioinformatics training, the ACC aims to assist this area of research to grow their capabilities. We encourage all departments to consider whether their needs might be met through inclusion in the shared QIAGEN license pool. This initiative not only ensures equitable access but aligns with our institution’s broader commitment to open, collaborative science.
Get access
To explore shared access or training opportunities, please contact Richard Ferreira (richard.ferreira@uct.ac.za), who will provide you or your designated group member with the details on how to register your interest to use the QIAGEN software over the next year (at no cost to your group).
Your participation will help UCT build a more connected, efficient, and innovative research environment.