BioImg.org: A Catalog of Virtual Machine Images for the Life Sciences

Abstract

Virtualization is becoming increasingly important in bioscience, enabling assembly and provisioning of complete computer setups, including operating system, data, software, and services packaged as virtual machine images (VMIs). We present an open catalog of VMIs for the life sciences, where scientists can share information about images and optionally upload them to a server equipped with a large file system and fast Internet connection. Other scientists can then search for and download images that can be run on the local computer or in a cloud computing environment, providing easy access to bioinformatics environments. We also describe applications where VMIs aid life science research, including distributing tools and data, supporting repro-ducible analysis, and facilitating education. BioImg.org is freely available at: https://bioimg.org.

Keywords

catalogue; virtual machine image; virtual appliance; container; software repository; cloud computing

Published in

Bioinformatics and Biology Insights
2015, volume: 9, pages: 125-128

SLU Authors

• Bongcam Rudloff, Erik

  • Department of Animal Biosciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG4 Quality education


UKÄ Subject classification

Bioinformatics (Computational Biology)
Genetics and Breeding


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4137/BBI.S28636

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/71836