Bridging Bench and Code: RSEs Driving Omics

Life sciences research is increasingly reliant on both data and software. Even traditionally experimental research groups are requiring efficient, robust programming solutions while engaging in complex data manipulation. While commercial tech and sequencing companies do offer bioinformatics services, these are often too far removed from the specific scientific questions posed by principal investigators (PIs). There are many areas within biological research known as "omics", including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and epigenomics. "Omics" refers to large-scale studies of biological molecules, aiming to comprehensively characterise and quantify them. Advances in sequencing and other high-throughput technologies over recent years lead to the development of new omics databases and datasets generated from laboratory-based research – this offers an excellent opportunity for Research Software Engineers (RSEs) to contribute meaningfully, combining data manipulation, software development, and domain-specific insights to make a significant impact and actively shape research outcomes. RSEs can play a critical role bridging the gap between benchwork and software development. This involves not only engaging with the code, but also with the science itself by designing solutions grounded in experimental reality. Such collaboration has the potential to foster meaningful scientific partnerships.