IBM and The University of Queensland`s Institute for Molecular Bioscience (IMB) have announced an alliance to advance bioinformatic research aimed at harnessing technology to create more effective treatments for disease.
IBM and the IMB will work together to develop a joint research program, share bioinformatics knowledge and tools, and establish a world class bioinformatics hub.
The IMB has also become the first Australian institution to participate in IBM`s Shared University Research (SUR) program in which information technology infrastructure is contributed to colleges, universities, and institutes of higher education around the world to facilitate research programs in areas of mutual interest.
Fiona McMaster, Director, Public Sector and Life Sciences, IBM Australia, said the alliance will become a focal point for bioinformatics-based research in Australia, working with academic and research institutes, government and private interests in the global biotechnology industry to help unlock the secrets of common human diseases such as diabetes, cystic fibrosis, obesity and arthritis.
"We are capitalising on the key strengths of IBM and IMB as leaders in their respective fields," Ms McMaster said.
"The alliance provides for an unparalleled level of excellence in an integrated research program that combines the IMB`s world-class bioinformatics expertise and our state-of-the-art IT infrastructure for life sciences, as well as providing access to IBM`s own research resources."
Ms McMaster and Professor Peter Andrews, IMB`s co-director said the alliance will not only advance research but also will strengthen Queensland`s biotech industry and assist in the development of a national skills base in bioinformatics.
Professor Andrews added that the agreement with IBM provides a framework for "something much bigger than its parts" and ultimately, will improve the ability of Australian industry and research organisations to work together to expedite the discovery process and drive innovation.
"While we are both already undertaking world-class bioinformatics projects independently, this agreement recognises the enormous synergies created by pooling the resources of the IMB, which is rapidly becoming the place for bioinformatics in Australia, and IBM, which is recognised globally for its research and technology," Professor Andrews said.
It is envisaged that by partnering with IBM and leveraging with other players, the IMB will establish a hub that will be recognised internationally for its leadership in bioinformatics as well as acting as a catalyst for national industry development," he said.
Under the agreement, the IMB primarily will use IBM products and services in its bioinformatics research infrastructure, including IBM DiscoveryLink bioinformatics tools, IBM eServer pSeries for UNIX, TotalStorage hardware and DB2 universal database software.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
About IBM`s Shared University Research Program
IBM`s Shared University Research (SUR) program focuses on such areas as the life sciences, grid computing and autonomic computing. The SUR awards also support the advancement of university projects by connecting top researchers in academia with IBM Research personnel, along with representatives from product development and solution provider communities. IBM awards approximately 40 SUR projects per year worldwide.
About IBM Life Sciences
IBM Life Sciences brings together IBM resources, from research, services and e-business expertise to data and storage management and high-performance computing, to offer new solutions for the life sciences market. The fastest way to get more information about IBM Life Sciences is through its Web site, http://www.ibm.com/solutions/lifesciences.
About the Institute for Molecular Bioscience
The IMB`s mission is to facilitate long-term, high quality research at academic and applied levels, and to provide an interface between advanced education, research and industry development to achieve economic and social benefits for Queensland and Australia. It links leading edge genomic discovery and bioinformatics facilities with state-of-the-art research to better understand human and animal biology, and to develop new pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, nanotechnologies and disease therapies.
About IMB Bioinformatics
The interface of biology with computer science, mathematics, and information technology promises a more quantitative understanding of the complexities of living organisms, and new models for advanced computation. The IMB applies computer-based models to problems in molecular biology and genomics, and develops new approaches and software to investigate complex cellular processes.
For further information contact:
Helen Weatherley
IMB Communications
Ph: (07) 3365 1264
Mobile: 0421 056 980
Email: h.weatherley@imb.uq.edu.au
Sally Toepfer
IBM Communications
Ph: (02) 9397 8812
Mobile: 0402 893 674
Email: sallyt@au1.ibm.com
