Biomedical Informatics Research Network

The NCRR-funded Biomedical Informatics Research Network (BIRN) uses emerging technology advances to enhance collaborative efforts that integrate data, expertise, and unique technologies from research centers across the country. The collaborative infrastructure is used by BIRN test beds to create new tools and procedures that enable multi-site studies and also benefit single laboratory research. The tools and datasets, and the underlying collaborative infrastructure, are publicly available. Collaborations within BIRN include scientists in a large number of biomedical sub-disciplines as well as computer scientists and engineers who are creating this cyberinfrastructure.

BIRN tools are currently focused on neuroscience and are available to researchers around the world as they pursue the causes and new treatments of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, major depression, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and autism. However, researchers in other medical fields, including cardiology and cancer, can also benefit from this infrastructure to support collaborative research and sharing of data and applications.

For detailed information on active projects, access the BIRN Web site.

Fact Sheet: Biomedical Informatics Research Network (66KB PDF, requires free Acrobat Reader) summarizes BIRN presentations at the January 2005 meeting of the National Advisory Research Resources Council.