Statewide Bioinformatics in Kentucky
Eric Rouchka1, Nigel Cooper2
1eric.rouchka@louisville.edu, University of Louisville; 2nigelcooper@louisville.edu, University of Louisville
Motivation:
The Kentucky Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (KBRIN) was created through a grant from the National Center for Research Resources with the purpose of enhancing the capacity, capability and resourcefulness of biomedical-researchers and educators in the Commonwealth of Kentucky so they are better enabled to fulfill their missions. Bioinformatics has been identified as a critical area of the KBRIN network in which to develop a knowledge base for both teaching and research. As part of this grant, members from 13 institutions, including members from the state doctoral schools (University of Louisville and University of Kentucky), state institutions (Eastern Kentucky University, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, and Western Kentucky University), and private colleges (Bellarmine University, Berea College, Pikeville College, Transylvania University, and Kentucky Wesleyan College) have collaborated to identify areas of expertise and to collate a set of computational and bioinformatics resources. The bioinformatics core is also actively involved in determining ways to improve and disseminate bioinformatics knowledge throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Results:
The KBRIN Bioinformatics Core has been responsible for identifying expertise in the areas of DNA sequence analysis, RNA secondary structure prediction, phylogenetic analysis, microarray data processing, and data management. In addition, groundwork has been laid for the development of collaborative institutional degree and certificate programs in bioinformatics.