Systems Biology

Bioinformatics emerged out of the need to develop computer databases and algorithms that would accelerate and enhance biological research, involving the integration of mathematical, statistical and computer methods. Bioinformatics also encompasses the research and development of new techniques in computation, database management, emerging industrial and information technologies such as automation and robotics. Progress in bioinformatics parallels high-throughput data generation technologies including genomics, microarrays, proteomics and imaging, yielding datasets of unprecedented size and complexity. Bioinformatics provides the methods and tools by which these datasets can be managed and analysed to yield outcomes in bioscience, biotechnology, agriculture and medicine.

Genome sequencing and other high-throughput biomolecular technologies have transformed all areas of bioscience: not only fundamental research, but also health care, biotechnology, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture and natural resource management – areas that collectively contribute more than half of Australia’s GDP. These new technologies are generating such volumes of data that complex questions, for example involving multi-gene diseases, are becoming impossible to analyse remotely.

To conduct competitive research in bioinformatics and computational biology, Australia requires a local copy of data and tools, integrated into national advanced networks, data grid and high-performance computing. Through EMBL Associate Membership, Australia has a unique opportunity to build a national bioinformatics service facility in collaboration with the European Bioinformatics Institute (EBI). EBI is one of only two major international facilities that organises the world’s biomolecular data and makes them freely available, together with unique analysis software, to the world’s life science, medical and research communities. This new facility, proposed to be hosted by University of Queensland but involving all the Network nodes, will provide up-to-date copies of key data sets and advanced analytical software, in some cases customising them for local problems such as drought-resistant grain crops or tropical diseases.

Such a bioinformatics centre will serve to:

• focus national and regional advanced training in genome-scale bioinformatics;
• leverage existing and future investment in national collaborative research infrastructure extend national capacity in life sciences and information technology;
• enable Australian participation in large international data-intensive projects in bioscience, consolidate scientific links with the European Community; and
• significantly enhance Australia’s scientific reputation in the region and globally.