IBM honors IU for life sciences work

The largest computer company in the world is teaming up with IU to aid life science research. \nIBM has named IU and Johns Hopkins University as partners in the Life Science's Institute of Innovation program. \nIU will be recognized by IBM at 3:30 p.m today as a member of the program at the Wrubel Computing Center, 2711 E. 10th St.\nIU was chosen because the University has one of the world's largest medical schools and is a world leader in medical science research, according to Dr. Robert Eades, an official for IBM's life sciences division.\nThe Institutes of Innovation award will combine the strengths of IU research professionals and IBM experts of computer software to help the development of computer-simulated cell modeling. With the use of programs developed at IU and built on IBM systems, such as IBM WebSphere, researchers will create a computer-based simulator of living cells that models cell processes.\n"The top researchers in the field at IU are helping us to make better Information Technology solutions," Eades said. \nThe ceremony will include demonstrations of new versions of the software being developed in the Biocomplexity Institute under IU Physics Professor James Glazier and the Center for Cell and Virus Theory under the direction of IU Distinguish Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Peter Ortoleva. \nBiocomplexity uses computer models to study the interaction between cells, molecules, and organisms structures. Glazier uses photon laser scanning microscopes and intricate computer software to design 3-D computational models of living cells to help researchers understand why biological phenomena occur and how they would help find better treatment solutions for diseases. \nGlazier said he believes IBM's involvement in the Biocomplexity department will give IU more recognition in Life Sciences field. The Institute has added four professors to the department in September and four more will be added within a couple of years. \n"The contributions professors will make to the program will make IU have the most recognized Life Science program in the nation within three years," Glazier said.\nHe said IU also will initiate partnerships between the University of Notre Dame and Purdue University to strengthen the universities' science departments statewide.\nOrtoleva said the Cell and Virus Theory Center will benefit greatly from the collaboration.\n"The collaboration with IBM will facilitate involvement of high level scientists from IU and IBM to work collaboratively on center projects. the help of IBM contributions we recruit specialists who use their expertise to aid the center's research," Ortoleva said.\nThe center develops computer models to understand how cells and viruses work. They are using the models to discover drugs, vaccines and optimal treatment strategies for diseases.\nIBM has also collaborated with IU to develop the Centralized Life Sciences Database Service. \nThis information system is already in use at the IU School of Medicine. The Database Service enables researchers to gain collective knowledge about genes and proteins in their search to understand and eliminate the sources of disease and dysfunction. The database service is led by Andrew D. Arenson, principal INGEN data specialist for University Information Technology Services.\n-- Contact staff writer Devon Thomas at deothoma@indiana.edu.