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Program Narrative
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Summary and Organization
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Theme
The University of Hawaii 's aspiration is to become a member of the nation's research elite in the life and medical sciences.
Thus, we are committed to establish the Advanced Studies in Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics (ASGPB), to support top tier researchers, to encourage cooperation and collaboration and to allow them to successfully complete in performing creative research while providing leadership and support for the University of Hawaii 's broader mission and goals.
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Why ASGPB?
Hawaii has four unique reasons that will allow UH to become a major player in Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics (GPB).
• The most heterogeneous population pool in the world
• Unequaled biological diversity including the endangered species capital of the world and 70-75% of the nation's coral reefs
• Ideal location for research in tropical medicine and agriculture
• Natural laboratory for the study of marine microbes and extremophiles
The opportunity in GPB research is great and the University of Hawaii (UH) is striving to take a leading role.
The current objective is to create the UH Center for GPB to bring together multidisciplinary life and medical science teams to develop and apply high throughput genomic/proteomic-scale technologies with bioinformatic tools to compete successfully in performing cutting-edge research.
1. Develop technology and enhance access to advanced technologies in genomics
Core facilities: High throughput sequencing, robotics laboratories for clone libraries and high throughput PCRs, gene synthesizers, centrifuges, and related technologies.
Research: High throughput genome sequence of agriculture related fruits and plants; Vectorial gene transfer, minimum genome, construction of new genomes, ecogenomics, marine and plant based viral genome, genome of marine microorganisms and extremophiles.
2. Develop technology and enhance access to advanced technologies in proteomics
Core facilities: Distributed initiatives in different UH Manoa units. Protein expression, purification, and crystallization; 2-D Gel/spot analysis, Capillary Zone Electrophoresis, peptide synthesis and purification; microarray & scanners, High Resolution/Accurate Mass GC/MS: High Resolution/Accurate Mass LC/MS.
Research: Robust microarray production and analysis; high throughput protein expression systems; MALDI-TOF analysis of protein complexes; development of methods for high throughput, quantitative analyses of proteins; correlation of genotype and phenotype data; processing of large numbers of samples (DNA, RNA, protein); sub cellular localization of proteins; improved robotics for genomics applications. In the initial phase of the development of the ASGPB, the high throughput proteomic research will be performed in collaboration with Windber Research Institute (WRI), PA., under the MOU between UH and WRI signed in early 2004.
3. Promote computational biology capabilities for related genomics/proteomic technologies
Core facilities: The Maui High Performance Computing Center (MHPCC) managed by the UH for the Air Force Research Laboratory will be the site for high throughput bioinformatics. Major DNA and protein databases are already installed. Major genome assembly, annotation, and 3D modeling open source and commercial programs are installed.
Research: Simultaneous analysis of multiple datasets containing different types of data to identify salient features and emergent properties of protein families; reproducibility and quantization of microarray and gene expression data; extremely flexible database design structures; accurate prediction of the effects of complex combinations of genes and entire genomes (genotype/phenotype relationships); database building & maintenance, network support, website encoding, data structure of infectious diseases, cancer research, marine microbes, extremophile and bioterrorism. A MOU between UH/ MHPCC and IBM was signed in 2003 to collaborate in life sciences research and the UH/ MHPCC was the recipient in 2003 of a $1 million IBM SUR (Shared University Research) Life Sciences Grant.
4. Serve information resource in bioinformatics for students and researchers
Training of students and faculty in genomics and computational biology and exposure of middle and high school teachers and students to the genomics revolution. BS/MS/PhD program in any of three areas of genomics, proteomics, and bioinformatics will be a future goal.
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