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Main Objectives
: A research capability
strengthening unit with the mandate to
promote training and integration of bioinformatics
and DNA technologies in basic research
Head
of the Center : Prof.
Worachart Sirawaraporn scwsr@mahidol.ac.th
Members
:
Department of Biochemistry
1. Prof. Worachart Sirawaraporn
2. Mr. Chaiyong Juidonkloy
3. Mrs. Rachada Sirawaraporn
CBAG
1. Miss Paweena Kongkaew
Bioinformatics is a newly emerging interdisciplinary
research area that can be viewed as an
interface between biological and computer
sciences. The discipline, initially developed
as a result of the need to handle massive
volumes of data generated by various genome
sequencing centers, is currently evolving
into a core component of post-genomic
research to enable transformation of the
sequencing data into biologically meaningful
knowledge. With the advancement of computing
technologies, new tools and new algorithms
are being developed which will facilitate
extraction from a variety of heterogeneous
databases (data mining) and consequently
navigate guidance to the desired information.
The ability to decipher the sequencing
data therefore forms an integral part
of post-genomic research that would provide
insights into understanding gene regulation
and expression, functional description
of the gene products, and metabolic processes
leading to diseases and genetic variations.
In recognition of the importance of
bioinformatics in post-genomic research
activities, the Faculty of Science Mahidol
University has recently founded a new
Capability Building Research Unit "The
Center for Bioinformatics and Applied
Genomics Research Unit (CBAG)". Established
in February 2002, the center is also one
of the four WHO-designated regional training
centers for bioinformatics. The mandate
of CBAG is to promote training and integration
of bioinformatics and DNA technology in
basic research. The ultimate goals of
CBAG are 1) to establish centralized databases
and data management; 2) to make available
to researchers the necessary application
tools for retrieving and analyzing the
data; 3) to establish networks of local
and international bioinformatic resources;
4) to promote human resource development
through training and establishment of
graduate programs in bioinformatics; 5)
to establish a research unit which employs
bioinformatics as a tool for the study
of tropical diseases.
To meet the challenges of the global
trend on genome-wide research and the
needs to build up capability to cope with
the explosive growth of sequence and structural
information generated from the genome
sequencing programs, CBAG has adopted
a vision to be strong and competitive
in this rapidly growing discipline. Through
human resource development, capacity building
and integration of existing networks to
promoting post-genomic research, CBAG
has set plans to focus on the following
tasks:
- Human resource development:
involves international and local training
courses on bioinformatics and its applications
from basic to advanced levels.
- Local and international network
integration: initiation of local
and international networks, sharing
of bioinformatic resources among institutions
and universities.
- Services: assisting and providing
technical advice, expertise and making
available tools and resources that would
promote use of bioinformatics, DNA and
genome analysis among researchers.
- Research & Development: initiate
an excellent program in basic research
applying bioinformatics as a tool to
address questions in post-genomics research.
- Initiation of research and development
programs through multidisciplinary efforts
from public and private sectors focusing
on software development and other bioinformatic
tools
As the pre-genomic era is approaching
its end and the post-genomic era is beginning,
there is no doubt that those with the
skills to utilize bioinformatics will
have a large competitive advantage to
obtain new knowledge and be in a better
position to embark on post-genomic research.
It is anticipated that CBAG's activities
and its initiatives will draw government
and private sector's attention and warrant
serious support to accomplish its ambitious
goals.
CONTACT
ADDRESS :
Center for Bioinformatics and Applied
Genomics Research Unit (CBAG)
Faculty of Science, Mahidol University,
Rama 6 Rd.,
Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Tel:
66-2201-5101-03 Fax:
66-2201-5103
E-mail:
scwsr@mahidol.ac.th
Website : http://www.ssi-tdr.net/cbag |
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