Bioinformatics Platform

A general requirement of the BioInterfaces programme is the establishment and maintenance of databases that integrate the considerable amount of knowledge generated. Furthermore the programme makes extensive use of high content screening and modelling of complex systems from biological processes to molecular structures, all of which place considerable demands on computational power for image and data processing, storage, analysis, mining and sharing.

Provision of data integration: The Bioinformatics Platform has established and maintains a database structure that importantly requires minimal specialized IT manpower, and enables the scientists responsible for the data to directly input and retrieve it. The databases take the form of several software modules for the open source software "mediawiki", which allow cross-linking of human annotated knowledge (our data, and literature) with machine integrated information ("wiki-bots"). These database modules are connected via a single simple web-based user interface ( YaCy ).

Grid Computing Centre Karlsruhe ( GridKa )

Provision of computing infrastructure: The Bioinformatics Platform has access to an unprecedented computing infrastructure, incorporating huge data storage capacity in the PetaByte range, a computing capacity comprising several thousands of CPUs, and an ultra-high speed (Infiniband) backbone network.

Provision of molecular simulation methods: The POEM approach for atomistic protein structure prediction, folding and association is being expanded in order to structurally characterize and design biologically active materials. Protocols for high-throughput protein structure prediction are being provided as open access resources to elucidate protein function and protein mediated cell-signalling processes with atomistic resolution.