A federal grant will fund the Nebraska Informatics Center for the Life Sciences, a one-stop-shop for the all the sophisticated tools and expertise needed in informatics. That's the scientific field that takes the reams and reams of raw data research scientists generate, and turns it into user-friendly information researchers can use to get the answers they set out to find.
For example, in genetics scientists can analyze changes in 15,000 genes at the same time, said Tom Rosenquist, vice chancellor for research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
"The volume of information that comes out of that is beyond the capacity of most people, of most systems, of most universities to analyze," Rosenquist said. But informatics holds a key to this problem because it lets the research scientists collect their data, while people trained in data analysis crunch the numbers and produce useful information that can lead to a new drug or new product.
No state funds will be required for the project. A $2.4 million National Science Foundation grant will fund the first three years, and more grants will be secured for operations after that.
Informatics requires powerful computers and specialized software. Duplication of these expensive resources at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln and University of Nebraska at Omaha will be eliminated, and informatics experts at each campus will work together more than they have in the past.
"Definitely this can significantly promote research and education in the state by providing expertise that doesn't exist in any single university campus," said Simon Sherman, a UNMC professor who will direct the new informatics center. The deputy directors are Heshim Ali at UNO and Ruben Donis at UNL. About 40 professors from the three campuses are to participate, along with several faculty members from Creighton University.
The informatics center is expected to provide:
- Easy access to computer tools used in biological research, as well as databases containing the latest information about molecules of current interest to scientists
- Improvements to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate education to prepare students for study and work in the biotechnology field
- Help for developing Nebraska biotechnology companies, by providing access to cutting-edge computer resources and information
The University of Nebraska Board of Regents is set to formally approve creating the informatics center at its Oct. 19 board meeting in Lincoln.
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This article originally appeared in Nebraska StatePaper on October 12, 2001.
