GenABEL

The GenABEL project is a set of free/libre open-source software tools for statistical genomics. It is a community-driven initiative that encourages the interdisciplinary development of statistical methodology and its implementation in efficient and user-friendly software under an open-source license. The project consists of eleven tools that collectively make up the GenABEL suite.

What sets the GenABEL project apart from other scientific software projects is the broad multidisciplinary community that has formed around it. Typically, scientific software is written by a few authors, often a student working on a thesis. Once the paper describing the tool has been published, it is no longer developed further and is left to its own devices. However, the GenABEL project actively promotes open interdisciplinary development of statistical methodology and its implementation in software.

The project encourages community involvement in all stages of development, from the formulation of methodological ideas to the application of software to specific data sets. A web forum is used to channel user questions and discussions, further promoting the use of the GenABEL suite. Developer discussions occur on a dedicated mailing list, and robust development practices, including public version control, code review, and continuous integration, further support development.

This open science model attracts contributions from users and developers outside the "core team,” facilitating agile statistical omics methodology development and fast dissemination. By providing an open framework, the project has fostered an environment that encourages collaboration, innovation, and the sharing of knowledge and expertise.