I work at an academic institution that generates and analyzes large amounts of genomic data (clinical sequencing of cancer patients). We were really impressed with the Google cloud and executed several large proof-of-concept projects on it. Honestly, being able to spin up 1000 machines to process 10s of thousands of samples within hours (using cheap preemptible machines) is a huge step forward.<p>The biggest challenge we face is data protection. Sequencing data is not considered protected health information so theoretically HIPAA regulations do not apply, but this may change in future so nobody is willing to take responsibility. If sequencing data is considered PHI, HIPAA requires a BAA between the institution and Google. The process of getting these in place was so convoluted and difficult that it was just easier to use another provider more closely associated with our institution.