HomeResearchExtramural Research Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program

Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program

	Overview
	Model Organism Databases and Human Genome Resources
	Reports and Related Project Information
	Funding Opportunities
	NHGRI-Sponsored Training
	Staff

Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Overview

In 1911, Alfred Sturtevant, an undergraduate research assistant of Thomas Hunt Morgan, realized that he could map the locations of Drosophila genes followed over generations. Indeed, the map was Sturtevant's solution to the problem of managing the data generated by the Morgan laboratory. Data management remains a challenge for genome researchers to this day: one of the major responsibilities of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is the development of new computational approaches to analyze and understand the enormous amount of data generated by the Human Genome Project (HGP).

The Genome Informatics program supports research in computational biology that will enable the development of tools for sequence analysis, gene mapping, complex trait mapping and genetic variation. These tools include mathematical and statistical methods for the identification of functional elements in complex genomes; the identification of patterns in large datasets (for example, microarray data); and the mapping of complex traits and genetic variations (for example, single nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs).

The program also encourages development and maintenance of databases of genomic and genetic data. This emphasis includes new tools for annotating complex genomes so as to expand their utility. The program also supports the production of robust, exportable software that can be widely shared among different databases in order to facilitate database interoperability. These bioinformatics resources will allow the scientific community efficient access to genomic data, which will enable new types of analyses. The analyses, in turn, will allow for the computer modeling and subsequent experimental validation of the complex pathways and networks that ultimately determine the phenotype of a cell or the causes of many human diseases.

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Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Model Organism Databases and Human Genome Resources

• Model Organism Databases
• Human Genome Resources Supported by NHGRI
• International HapMap Project
• The ENCODE Project: ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements
• The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA)

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Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Reports and Related Program Information

NIH/NIAID/Wellcome Trust Workshop Report on Model Organism Databases April 29-30, 2002

Conclusions of the Annotation Meeting January 7, 2000

Report of the NIH Model Organism Database Workshop [nhlbi.nih.gov] December 7-8, 1998

Report on DOE/NIH Genome Informatics Workshop April 2-3, 1998

The Biomedical Information Science and Technology Initiative Report [bisti.nih.gov] June 1999

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Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Funding Opportunities

Bioinformatics Initiatives at NIH - BISTI [bisti.nih.gov]
This initiative is aimed at making optimal use of computer science and technology to address problems in biology and medicine. Program announcements are available under the BISTI program for innovations in biomedical information science and technology and for planning a National Program of Excellence in Biomedical Computing.

PA-06-181 [grants.nih.gov]: NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Program (Parent R21)
Application submission dates: February 16, June 16, October 16
Expiration date: May 2, 2009

PA-07-070 [grants.nih.gov]: Research Project Grant (Parent R01)
Application submission dates: February 5, June 5, October 5
Expiration date: January 3, 2010

PAR-07-425 [grants.nih.gov]: Data Ontologies for Biomedical Research (R01)
Letters of intent receipt dates: December 18, 2007, August 18, 2008, December 22, 2009, and August 21, 2009 for the four separate receipt dates
Application submission dates: January 18, 2008, September 18, 2008, January 21, 2009, and September 21, 2009
Expiration date: September 22, 2009

PAR-08-010 [grants.nih.gov]: Continued Development and Maintenance of Software (R01)
Letters of intent receipt dates: November 17, 2007
Application submission dates: January 17, 2008, May 21, 2008, September 22, 2008, January 22, 2009, May 22, 2009, September, 22, 2009, January 22, 2010, May 21, 2010 and September 22, 2010
Expiration date: September 23, 2010

Small Business Funding Opportunities [grants.nih.gov]

Expired Grant Solicitations

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NHGRI-Sponsored Training

The Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Web page sponsors the following courses:

Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Course: Programming for Biology : October 15 - 28, 2008
Funded by Grant: 5 T15 HG00048-08
Principle Investigator: Lincoln Stein

Computational and Comparative Genomics: November 5 - 11, 2008
Funded by Grant: 5 T15 HG00013-14
Principle Investigator: Terri Grodzicker

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Genome Informatics and Computational Biology Program Staff

Program Directors
Peter Good, Ph.D.
E-mail: goodp@mail.nih.gov

Vivien Bonazzi, Ph.D.
E-mail: bonazziv@mail.nih.gov

Address
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
5635 Fishers Lane
Suite 4076, MSC 9305
Bethesda, MD 20892-9305

Phone: (301) 496-7531
Fax: (301) 480-2770

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Last Reviewed: May 1, 2008