Approach to sharing data

The principles that govern our approach to data sharing are

1. to contribute to equitable and appropriate data-sharing
2. to benefit the general research community

The Data Release Policy and Terms of Use are intended to respect the legitimate interests of all collaborators who have contributed samples and data to GenRe-Mekong. This policy was developed to be in line with policies of MalariaGEN and the P. falciparum Community Project, and was guided by the Fort Lauderdale Agreement for Sharing Data from Large-scale Biological Research Projects.

In this document we state any restrictions on data usage, outline acceptable data use, and provide guidance on how to cite the data source.

In a nutshell, we encourage others to use GenRe-Mekong data, but expect that they will allow GenRe-Mekong and its scientific partners to make the first presentations and publications reporting on their intended scientific analyses of the generated data. Furthermore, data usage should always include appropriate acknowledgement of contributions of GenRe-Mekong and its scientific partners. Any use of GenRe-Mekong data implies acceptance of these terms and conditions.

Data users who have questions about whether they may make presentations or submit papers using GenRe-Mekong data should contact ✉️ genremekong@tropmedres.ac.

Partners and data generated by GenRe-Mekong

The GenRe-Mekong project is led by the University of Oxford (Principal Investigator: Olivo Miotto) and regionally managed by the GenRe-Mekong Core team at the Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit (MORU) in Bangkok, Thailand. Sample collection is conducted by the partner studies, and the GenRe-Mekong team. Details of the partner studies, including contact information, and key people can be found contributing to GenRe-Mekong, can be found here.

Sample processing is carried out by partner laboratories at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit (OUCRU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, or at Mahidol University, Thailand. Genotyping, data processing and informatics support is provided by the Wellcome Sanger Institute (WSI), Hinxton, UK. Sample collection coordination, data aggregation, result reporting and partner support are conducted by the GenRe-Mekong Core Analysis team at MORU.

Type of data released by GenRe-Mekong

We routinely release GRCs to NMCPs and other Study Owners

Genetic Report Cards (GRCs) are routinely shared and discussed with NMCPs, and partner studies, to allow for timely and actionable knowledge to support their malaria elimination efforts. GRCs shared with study owners (i.e. partner studies) contain private metadata. For example, collection date and data collection sites. These private metadata are excluded from data-releases to non-study owners. We aim to deliver GRCs to this group every 6 month, and within a year of sample collection.

We routinely release GRCs to other scientific partners, and stakeholders after GRCs are shared with study owners

After GRCs are shared and discussed with study owners. Study owner-permission is subsequently requested to share GRCs (excluding private metadata), with other scientific partners and stakeholders. These include, but are not limited to, the WHO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, transnational colleague NMCPs, and national public health authorities. Study owners are always credited as the owner of the study in case any data is shared.

We release public datasets

We periodically share following a period of analysis by the GenRe-Mekong project, and its scientific partners. Public datasets consist of GRCs (excluding private metadata), and necessary documentation for interpretation. Furthermore, amplicon sequences are made available on ENA.

An open-access data release are made on our GitHub and website, accompanied by published papers.

Genetic data from the submitted samples, together sample metadata, will be deposited in the SpotMalaria Parasite Evolution Observatory, an open access database of worldwide genetic variation. These data are initially password-protected until inclusion in the next available data release. Periodic data releases will make the data open access. All data made public via the SpotMalaria Observatory will be anonymised.

Terms of use

Analysis planned by the GenRe-Mekong project

The GenRe-Mekong project plans to publish analyses of: the prevalence and geographical distribution of antimalarial drug resistance-linked genetic mutations in clinical P. falciparum and P. vivax infections in the GMS; the genetic population structure and degree of differentiation of P. falciparum and P. vivax parasites within and between different regions in the GMS; and analyses of gene flow patterns and likely geographic origin of P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria parasites in the GMS.

Analyses of GenRe-Mekong data by study partners

Partner studies are likely to intend to perform analyses beyond those described above using the data from their samples. Data users who wish to use data from particular study sites are respectfully asked to contact the relevant partner studies to discuss their intentions and, if appropriate, to identify opportunities for collaboration. This should be done via the contact person named for each study. The contact person is responsible for ensuring that the individuals and institutions that contributed the samples and sequence data (including the GenRe-Mekong project) are informed and consulted as appropriate.

Sample sharing

Any proposed plans to use samples other than for GenRe-Mekong and their scientific partners will be submitted to the relevant ethics committees prior to any testing.

Acknowledging and citing the data

For data users presenting or publishing data produced by the GenRe-Mekong project, we ask that the following statement is included in the acknowledgements: