Three U. schools join to create new biotech center

Three University schools have joined forces to establish one of the nation's first centers dedicated to research and education in the emerging field of computational biology. The new Center for Bioinformatics is a joint venture among the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Medicine and the School of Arts and Sciences. It uses advanced computer technology to collect, analyze and interpret data from large-scale biology research projects. Beginning this fall, the center will offer joint Engineering/College Bachelor of Science and Master of Biotechnology degrees, in addition to doctoral and post-doctoral programs in computational biology. "We're one of the only universities that is covering all of the educational bases in bioinformatics from bachelor's degrees to doctorates," Co-Director and Computer and Information Science Professor Susan Davidson explained. The new center is based out of the Institute for Medicine and Engineering located in Hayden Hall on Smith Walk between 33rd and 34th streets. The IME -- established last year by the Medical School and the Engineering School -- focuses on interdisciplinary research and education related to disease treatment. IME Director and Materials Science and Engineering Professor Peter Davies described the new center as a "superb example of interschool discovery, education and application." Co-Director and Genetics Professor Chris Overton added that the center will benefit from being part of a large research university. "One of the key characteristics that distinguishes this program from others is its strong interdisciplinary nature," he said. "The design of our center will permit us to take advantage of the combined talents and contributions of many specialists." Overton said he hopes the center will establish the University as a leader in bioinformatics research in order "to create a critical mass of researchers based here at Penn." Medical School Dean William Kelley said the center will help produce leaders in the bioinformatics field. "We recognize the potential for bioinformatics to influence clinical medicine," he said, "so we have eagerly embraced the development of a center that will serve to train and educate future leaders in this important discipline," he said. The center's current staff consists of three core faculty members, seven associated faculty members and a group of 14 programmers, graduate students, post-doctoral students and support personnel. But Overton said the center hopes to recruit three more senior faculty members within the next three years. The center has already received several federal and corporate grants which researchers are using to create new computer programs designed to improve the compatibility of nearly 400 databases. The center has also established a Penn Bioinformatics Forum seminar series to bring academic researchers and business leaders together to discuss issues in the field. The center also hopes to form partnerships with corporations in order to provide students with internship and fellowship opportunities. "We believe bioinformatics is an exciting venue for the continued development of research relationships between industry and academia that will work to enrich the application and delivery of health care," Kelley said.