# 2) Rolf Apweiler - Big Data growth, from floppy disks to machine learning

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-european-molecular-biology-laboratory-embl-alumni-chats-series-7525543/2-rolf-apweiler-big-data-growth-from-floppy-disks-to-machine-learning
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-european-molecular-biology-laboratory-embl-alumni-chats-series-7525543/2-rolf-apweiler-big-data-growth-from-floppy-disks-to-machine-learning.md
Podcast: [The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Alumni Chats Series](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-european-molecular-biology-laboratory-embl-alumni-chats-series-7525543)
Published: 2025-10-16T10:18:12+00:00
Episode link: https://rss.com/podcasts/the-european-molecular-biology-laboratory-embl-alumni-chats-series/2274304
Audio file: https://content.rss.com/episodes/350256/2274304/the-european-molecular-biology-laboratory-embl-alumni-chats-series/2025_10_16_10_13_25_2a9d335a-690d-4373-8695-0098437aa43f.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3700

## Resource

Rolf Apweiler (EMBL-EBI Director 1987-2025) speaks with Angus Lamond (EMBL Group Leader 1987-1995) about his start at EMBL as a student helper all the way to jointly leading the EBI. The huge growth of data in life sciences he witnessed and supported along the way and the importance of international collaboration, standardization, and cybersecurity. He reflects on the impact of AI on data curation and annotation, and discuss the Open Targets project, a public-private partnership to improve drug development through better genetic understanding. This conversation was recorded in July 2025. Alumni Chat contributors are members of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) community. The opinions expressed are their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of EMBL or any other party. The mere appearance of content on the EMBL Alumni RSS account does not constitute an endorsement by EMBL. Audio Production and Editing: EMBL Alumni Relations Content and Interviews: Angus Lamond and Thomas Vaccari Music: Eco Technology by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay Thanks to: EMBL Audiovisual and EMBL Design Sponsored by: EMBLEM © European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)

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