Single Cell and Spatial Omics Infrastructure Roadmap for Australia

This document summarises single cell and spatial omics tools and methodologies, how the Australian life science research community currently undertakes this work as well as common data-, software- or compute-related infrastructure challenges faced by that community when using current approaches (information obtained through consultation with a 'Special Interest Group' (SIG) of researchers undertaking single cell and spatial omics across Australia).

Also included is a high level description of key components of an envisaged shared infrastructure for Australia, which, when implemented, would enable Australian researchers from a wide range of institutions to perform single cell and spatial omics work who would otherwise be unable to do so because of the reported data-, software- or compute-related roadblocks. 

This document has incorporated feedback from the single cell and spatial omics SIG, other Australian researchers undertaking single cell and spatial omics analysis, international experts undertaking similar work, and numerous Australian research IT infrastructure partners. 

Implementation of some of the infrastructure outlined in this roadmap document began in 2022, and will continue through 24-25.