SURA Bioinformatics Grid Workshop

January 28-30, 2003 – Research Triangle Park, NC

The opportunities promised by genomic science portend a major advance in our understanding of biological systems as well as in our ability to use that knowledge to benefit mankind. However, the biological challenges of the post-genomic era are matched by daunting computing and information science developments.

To date most genomic researchers have been able to use the increased computing capabilities provided by MooreÕs Law to meet their computational needs. However, the rate at which genomic data is now being produced is outstripping MooreÕs Law, and the computing requirements ø for mining, analysis and modeling of this data ø increase even faster than the data storage requirements. Clearly advanced computing technologies will be essential to effectively manage and understand the massive amount of data arising in genomics, proteomics and related research.

Although it is possible to create computing centers that serve the needs of each of the universities in SURA, this approach will require enormous investments in computing and data storage resources at each institution. A more efficient means to provide the needed capability would be to take advantage of recent advances in distributed computing technologies. Several SURA members are already working independently to create Grids or computing facilities to provide the computing and data storage capabilities needed to support the genomics revolution.

This is an appropriate time to convene a meeting to discuss the possibility of a SURA-wide solution to the computing and information challenge posed by the genomics revolution. To that end, SURA is sponsoring a workshop on ÒSURA Bioinformatics Grid: Wide Area Information Infrastructure for the Genomics Era,Ó at the North Carolina Biotechnology Center in Research Triangle Park on January 28th, 29th and 30th, 2003.

The goal of the workshop is to provide a forum for discussion of the information infrastructure that will be needed to support world-class efforts in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and related sciences, how this need might be met by a SURA Bioinformatics Grid and the current NIH and NSF programs that fund computing and data grids.

The workshop will address questions of what functions a grid would serve, what capabilities or services it would offer and what facilities, tools and personnel will be needed to make it happen and to serve the needs of the biological science community.