Science, medicine and computer science converge
May 29, 2000 - With 90% of the human genome already known and many smaller genomes sequenced in their entirety, a revolution known as bioinformatics is beginning to affect profoundly the whole of biology and medicine. To meet this challenge of the "post-genomic age"– which experts say will transform our society to an extent unparalleled in history–McGill has established a Centre for Bioinformatics. A search has begun immediately to recruit Centre staff. Within the next 18 months, the core of the Centre, to be led by an internationally-renowned scientist, will have 20 full-time researchers working together, including current academic staff involved in genomics, structural biology, genetic epidemiology, physiology, computer science, bio-instrumentation, proteomics and other related fields.
Dr. Luc Vinet, vice-principal (academic), who has backed the project since its inception points out that bioinformatics is an inherently interdisciplinary field. At McGill, medicine, science, engineering and agricultural and environmental sciences all have a direct interest in its development. "Coordinating these activities in the most synergetic and profitable way is the way of the future," he says. Vinet also notes that the Centre will have an international advisory board to provide input from a broad range of expertise at the highest levels.
The physical space and location of the McGill Bioinformatics Centre "is absolutely key to the scope and success of our plans," stresses Vinet. He continues, "This is not a virtual Centre. We want the bioinformaticians to be working in the immediate vicinity of genomics and proteomics experts, since they constitute the main driving force behind bioinformatics. On top of providing the ideal milieu for scientific interaction, this proximity will be crucial in setting up conditions for cultural integration and will give McGill a very clear advantage over other initiatives elsewhere in the world." A major fundraising drive to build such facilities on campus is now underway.
McGill School of Computer Science director Denis Thérien teamed up with others across campus, including physiologist Leon Glass, biomedical engineering specialist Rob Kearney, and geneticist Tom Hudson, to spearhead the project. Dr. Therien declares enthusiastically, "The scientific problems are fascinating. The technological challenges are formidable. The industrial possibilities are appearing more and more unlimited, and the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and health sectors of our economy stand to profit extensively from this new research."
RESEARCH AREAS FOR RECRUITMENT TO THE CENTRE
1. Bioinstrumentation: Instrumentation and experimental methods for the measurement and acquisition of information about the structure and function of biologically active molecules including DNA, RNA, and proteins.
2. Functional genomics: Collaborative work between medical scientists and computer scientists will identify clearly defined medical problems that are amenable to careful analysis by accumulating accurately timed gene expression data. This work will identify novel control points to target pharmaceuticals.
3. Structural biology: A key problem is to figure out the structure and function of biomolecules based on the sequence information, and to rationally design new drugs based on known physiology and biochemistry.
4. Computation and DNA: This work is directed at developing novel approaches to the interface of computation and molecular biology.
5. Genetic analysis: The genetic dissection of disease, particularly the complex human disorders such as asthma, heart disease, diabetes, cancer etc. requires the development of a firm theoretical and practical understanding of how to best apply methods for pedigree and population genetic analyses.
6. Data mining and visualization: Data mining methods are being developed to analyse hidden information in large databases. Computational methods are being applied to analyse data bases of physiological function, e.g. heart rate variability. This area entails joining powerful computer methods for data storage and analysis to biological data.
7. Genetic system modeling and identification: Enhanced computer power makes possible realistic modeling of physiological systems on scales ranging from the molecular to the organism. Modeling plays an increasingly important role in understanding of dynamics of gene expression, protein synthesis, ion channels, function of heart, nerve and endocrine cells, properties of aggregates of cells.
8. Biomedical imaging: New power in imaging is having an extraordinary impact on experimental systems and on understanding the human body in the clinic. Collaborative work between basic scientists, computer scientists and medical scientists will extend the new technologies in both experimental and clinical applications.