Frequently Asked Questions
We strongly value feedback and endeavour to ensure the initiative is a truly inclusive and national collaboration and the genomics resource we are building can be used broadly.
If you have any feedback, comment or query related to the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative, please contact the Project Manager.
FAQs
| Q. How can I get involved? The Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics consortium welcomes all researchers with interest in Reptile and Amphibian species to the initiative. Researchers involved in the consortium voluntarily agree to adhere to some requirements and policies (Data use and Communications). You can view existing supported activities that may be of interest on the activities page. Data is publicly available on the Bioplatforms Data Portal. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Scientific Leads and the Project Manager to discuss further. – Scientific Lead: Craig Moritz; Arthur Georges – Project Manager: Sophie Mazard, smazard@bioplatforms.com All consortium members are asked to agree and sign the initiative’s Collaborative Agreement. |
| Q. How is the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative funded? How long is the initiative funded for? The Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics initiative is funded by Bioplatforms Australia through the Australian Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy (NCRIS), the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, the Australian Museum, Museums Victoria and the South Australian Museum. The consortium receives significant investment from the research community both as cash and in-kind investment. Bioplatforms funding for the project is for 3 years, from April 2020. |
| Q. What is Bioplatforms’ investment in the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics initiative? Bioplatforms investment is in genomics data generation, data storage and project management. |
| Q. What is the initiative governance and how are the initiative decisions made? To ensure proper management of the initiative a structure of executive streams have been established (see consortium page). The Steering Committee provides strategic direction and leadership to the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative consortium. The Committee ensures the achievement of program objectives by making decisions on matters that impact on the milestones and outcomes agreed in the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative consortium Collaborative Agreement. The working groups are designed to bring together individuals possessing knowledge of the relevant functional areas as well as expertise in disciplines and will act either individually or collectively to undertake assigned tasks and activities alongside an indicated timeframe of completion for deliverables, in order to achieve the project’s objectives. Each of the groups will engage in broad consultation of the consortium and provide informed recommendations to the Steering Committee. There are three working groups: – Comparative Genomics and Evolution – Phylogenomics – Conservation and Taxonomy |
| Q. What contributions are expected of the researchers? Cash and in-kind contributions from the wider research community include sourcing material, preparation of material for genomic sequencing and provision of descriptive metadata for the material (specimen/sample and processing), development of bioinformatics pipelines for data analysis and data sharing (e.g. contributing to and benefiting from collaborations with other international initiatives). |
| Q. What sources of material should I use if I want to get involved? The Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics initiative aims to build genomic resources to understand and protect Australia’s reptiles and amphibians. The collection of amphibians and reptiles specimen is highly regulated and requires appropriate permits and expertise. If you would like to get involved, please contact the Scientific Leads and the Project Manager to discuss further. – Scientific Lead: Craig Moritz; Arthur Georges – Project Manager: Sophie Mazard, smazard@bioplatforms.com |
| Q. Can I apply for funding from the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative for my own research? The Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics is a nationally-inclusive and collaborative initiative. We do not act as a funding agency and fund individual research projects. The initiative works with the research community to build resources and research capability which will be of benefit. The activities supported through the initiative follows strict criteria and are provided through subsidised access to national ‘Omics facilities that are part of the Bioplatforms network of capabilities. |
| Q. What is the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics Initiative Data Policy? Who can access data from my samples if I am part of this initiative? Data from research activities supported through the initiative is made available on the Bioplatforms Data Portal consortium members immediately following production. All data is accompanied with rich metadata that describe the source of the sample analysed (provided by the sample submitter). The data is the made publicly available after a mediated phase (maximum 12 months). The requirements for access and use of the data, as well as appropriate acknowledgements in communications that arise from the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics initiative consortium’s work are defined in the Data policy and Communication policy. |
| Q. Will I be acknowledged if other consortium members use data from my samples in their publication? The initiative aims to be inclusive and build collaboration. All communications (scientific or general publications and presentations) that arise from the Consortium’s work, to the best of our knowledge, will appropriately acknowledge the input of all relevant contributions. The publications should specify the collaborative nature of the project, and authorship is expected to include all those contributing significantly to the work. Authorship for publications will be determined on a case-by-case basis. The requirements for access and use of the data, as well as appropriate acknowledgements in communications that arise from the Australian Amphibian and Reptile Genomics initiative consortium’s work are defined in the Data policy and Communication policy. |