The IT challenge exists at several levels: planning (such as the informatics required to generate DNA capture arrays for sequencing), data capture, transfer, processing and storage (data files can be as large as 5 terabytes), primary analyses including mapping of hundreds of millions of DNA fragments to reference genomes, secondary analyses including identification of SNPs from sequence, tertiary analyses including gene ontology and clustering of differences in expression and epigenetic status of genes, and quaternary analyses integrating across modalities. There are several potential solutions to these problems. Primary analyses are usually performed on dedicated servers acquired with machines. For secondary analyses, fiber-optic connections to cluster servers and cloud computing networks with adequate storage (presently 30–100 terabytes) and automated data backup is mandatory. Tertiary analyses may be accomplished on cluster servers, cloud computing networks, and petaflop supercomputers.
