cBioPortal is a free, user-friendly platform for exploring publicly available cancer genomics data—no coding required. It lets you explore genomic and clinical data across multiple studies in a highly visual and interactive way.
You can:
Visualize mutations, gene expression, copy number changes, and more
Compare genetic data with clinical factors like stage, survival, and diagnosis age
Generate publication-ready plots like oncoprints and Kaplan-Meier survival curves
🔍 Explore more usage examples here
Fred Hutch’s internal cBioPortal instance is a secure, research-only platform developed by the Office of the Chief Data Officer (OCDO) and Scientific Computing (SciComp). It provides a safe and supported environment for researchers to explore their own study data.
Key features:
🔐 Controlled access – Only approved users can view & upload data
🧬 Sensitive data allowed – IRB-approved studies with identifiable data can be included
Follow these steps to upload your own data into the Fred Hutch insance of cBioPortal
You should have Fred Hutch credentials or HutchNet ID
You should be logged in to the Fred Hutch network or if off-campus, connect via VPN.
Fill out the Access Request Form.
You’ll need:
⚠️ Only upload data approved for the IRB and data types listed in your form. Violations may result in study removal.
✅ The Data Governance & Protection team will review and email you with next steps.
📝 Note:
- Your approval is specific to the IRB and data types you list in the form.
- It’s your lab’s responsibility to make sure only approved data types are uploaded.
- If unapproved data is uploaded, your study may be removed from cBioPortal.
- To add new data types to an approved study, email Data Governance & Protection for additional review.
- Want to add data or start a new project? Just submit a new Access Request Form and email dataprotection@fredhutch.org.
Make sure your lab has an AWS lab account, and that each uploader has individual credentials.
📝 Note: If your team already has credentials, skip this step. Be sure to test your credentials.
Once your AWS credentials are ready:
fh-dasl-cbio bucket📝 Note: Before emailing us make sure to test access to
fh-dasl-cbio
Preparing your study files involves following very specific instructions. We have some helpful information on how to format your data files here
Once your study files are formatted correctly follow there upload steps to upload your study folder into the fh-dasl-cbio.
🚀 Our automated system will load your data and notify you by email.
📝 Note: 📩 If upload fails, you’ll receive a “validation report” with error details. Didn’t get an email? Contact us.
🎉 Once uploaded, start exploring!
🔍 What is cBioPortal? 📊 Visualize mutations, gene expression, and CNVs 🧬 Compare mutations to clinical factors 📈 Generate publication-ready plots 📚 Explore more usage examples
🏥 What is the Fred Hutch Instance? 🔐 Request Access to Upload Data 🧪 Pathway for the whole process specific to Fred Hutch
🧾 Request Upload Access 🔑 Get AWS Credentials 🪣 Request S3 Bucket Access 🗂️ Prepare Your Files for Upload 🚀 Upload Files to S3 Bucket 📩 Test Access to S3 Bucket
📽️ Fred Hutch cBioPortal Demo Day Check out the recording to see how to use the portal, upload data, and more. 👉 Watch the recording (Panopto)
Can I add more data to my study? Yes, if it’s covered under your approved IRB. Email dataprotection@fredhutch.org if unsure.
How do I update a study? Just reupload a new version to the S3 bucket—this will replace the existing version.
Can collaborators access my study? Maybe. If they’re covered under your IRB and have Hutch credentials, yes. If external, contact us—this needs review.
Can the OCDO team help format our data? Not directly, but we offer resources and Data House Calls to help troubleshoot.
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