BIC-at-a-Glance

This section is designed to provide easy access to information about the Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (BIC).

Information may be found under the following headings: Scientific Achievements, Publications, and Quick Facts on the BIC.

Publications

To view a current listing of BIC publications please visit the Publications section of our website.

Quick Facts on the BIC

What is the Purpose of the BIC?

In January 2006, the Bioinformatics Platform (BIP) was approved through the Genome Canada Competition III for platforms. The Bioinformatics Innovation Centre (BIC), as it is not referred, continues to provide services to Genome Canada funded initiatives through the Applied Genomics and Proteomic Research in Human Health Competition and Competition III for projects, as well as other research initiatives around the world.

The BIC team, building on existing infrastructure primarily at the Calgary-based Sun Centre of Excellence for Visual Genomics (COE), continues to explore leading edge research and develop new approaches to the understanding of genomic data. To accomplish this, the BIC focuses effort on four major components:

• High-throughput database search engines, data storage, generic login accounts, and access to software tools and databases. Accessible COE infrastructure includes the state-of-the-art CAVE Automated Virtual Environment, a Java 3D middleware layer (JABIRU) that enhances portability of Java 3D visualization tools, hosts a Pentabyte of data storage space, and related computational infrastructure.
  
  
• Core BioMOBY communications platform code and associated network access tools that Bioinformatics Innovation Centre services and tools, as well as many software packages worldwide, are dependent on as middleware to access BIC infrastructure.
  
  
• Generic and customized programming capability.
  
  
• Training courses to create power users and introduce BIC services.

The goal is to continue all aspects of the BIC while working with Genome Canada funded projects and others, as well as expand the service base through provision of excellence in bioinformatics.

Who are the Principal Investigators?

Dr. Christoph W. Sensen: Professor, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Calgary

Dr. Mark Wilkinson: Professor, University of British Columbia, The James Hogg iCAPTURE Centre

Dr. David Wishart: Professor, Departments of Computing Science and Biological Sciences, University of Alberta

Dr. Brian Fristensky: Associate Professor, Department of Plant Science, University of Manitoba

What are the projects served by the BIC?

To view a list of the projects served, please visit the Projects Served section of this website.

Who is on the BIC Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)?

For information on the BIC Scientific Advisory Board, please visit the SAB section of this website.

What is the Infrastructure Available at the BIC?

The Sun Center of Excellence (COE) for Visual Genomics in Calgary is the only existing site capable of providing the computational infrastructure necessary for Innovation Centre service delivery. Please see the figure below for a description of the current infrastructure in place at the COE.

	This project is supported by Genome Alberta and Genome Canada.  Genome Canada is a private, non-profit corporation whose mandate is to develop and implement a national strategy in genomics and proteomics research for the benefit of all Canadians.