Learn the answers to common questions about how the Data Use Oversight System (DUOS) supports Data Access Committees (DACs).
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Data storage
- Nope! Any dataset may be registered in DUOS, regardless of the physical location of the data. Data Submitters and DACs interested in using DUOS are responsible for making sure researchers approved for access via DUOS are able to access the data once approved. This process is streamlined for datasets ingested or indexed in the Terra Data Repository (TDR), a platform designed for storing and managing access to life sciences data. Learn more about DUOS' integration with TDR by reading Streamlining Data Access.
- No. However, the Data Custodian for your dataset(s) will be responsible for providing access to researchers approved by the DAC, and having data in multiple locations will be increasingly complex for Data Custodians to set and maintain access permissions, and for researchers to access and analyze the data in aggregate.Storing or indexing data in the Terra Data Repository (TDR) further streamlines the access-management process. Read Streamlining Data Access to learn more about DUOS’ integration with TDR.
- No. DUOS only enables the metadata you see displayed in the DUOS Data library to be stored in DUOS. All genetic data that may be requested via DUOS is stored in external systems, and predominantly in Broad’s Terra service, though the use of Terra is not required for DACs to register their data in DUOS.
Managing datasets
- Yes! If you and/or your DAC are interested in using DUOS, please reach out to us at support@duos.org.
- Our experienced and expert team is glad to consult with anyone needing guidance in assigning data use limitations to their datasets, which will ultimately need to be approved/accepted by the DAC agreeing to manage your datasets in DUOS.
Reviewing Data Access Requests
- Yes. There are two ways to enable multiple individuals to review a DAR in DUOS.
One option is to add multiple individuals to your DAC, as DAC Members. DAC Members are able to offer comments and a suggested vote to the DAC Chair, without directly controlling the final vote on the DAR. This option is most helpful for individuals who are in the same organization or consortium, or collaborate with one another.
Another option is to add multiple individuals to your DAC, as DAC Chairs. DAC chairs act autonomously, where any DAC Chair is able to deny or approve DARs, ultimately denying or granting access to data. This option is most helpful for DACs with policies that allow for varied decision-makers for DARs - often depending on DAR contents - examples of these roles may include Vice-Chairs or Deputies, or Coordinators. - No, DUOS does not currently allow for automating data access requests. DUOS’ matching algorithm would easily allow for data access request review to be automated and instantaneous, and we are testing the algorithm with multiple DACs to see if and how this may be possible. Currently, DACs use the DUOS matching algorithm for decision support in their DAR reviews. In the near future, we will allow each DAC to decide if and when they automate their DARs via DUOS.