Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

Requested Equipment: Over the last 15 years, bioinformatics and computational chemistry research has been revolutionized by major advancements in high-throughput genomics approaches and new computational modeling algorithms, respectively. These approaches revolve around big data' that requires powerful computing resources for production and analysis, namely a computer cluster that contains state-of-the-art GPUs (graphics processing units). Researchers at the University of Lethbridge (UofL) are using a 7-yr old GPUs that will be decommissioned in 2020 due to failing components and slow processing speeds. This grant will support the critical replacement of these much needed but obsolete GPU compute nodes, allowing UofL researchers and collaborators to remain competitive on the international stage in the quickly evolving fields of bioinformatics and computational chemistry.***Research Activities and User Group: Since the impact of computer modeling has been long recognized, UofL recruited Dr. Wetmore as a Tier II Canada Research Chair (CRC) in computational chemistry in 2007. She is now a Tier I Board of Governors Research Chair who leads an internationally renowned and vigorous research program that seeks to better understand the chemistry of nucleic acids. By addressing unanswered questions about the impact of chemical modifications and the catalytic power of enzymes in our bodies, her work will aid in the design of new nucleic acids for medicinal and biotechnological applications. Subsequently, UofL recruited Dr. Zovoilis as a Tier II CRC from Harvard in 2016 to establish a bioinformatics program. As the director of the Southern Alberta Genome Sciences Centre and academic lead of BioNet Alberta (a Genome Canada supported network of bioinformaticians), he is an up-and-coming leader in the study of non-coding RNA using a cutting-edge sequencing platform (PromethION sequencer), the first in Western Canada. Both researchers also have close collaborations with many scientists who need their expertise in bioinformatics/computational chemistry and access to GPU-based computing, including researchers in 3 UofL departments, 4 UofL research institutes and a pan-provincial research network.***Significance of the Research: The fundamental bioinformatics and computational chemistry research of all users has the potential to advance the development of new biomaterials and medicines, which will positively impact the lives of Canadians. All trainees in the user groups perform computational analyses of data from various sources (genomic or molecular simulations) and will help grow Canada's workforce in diverse computational fields.***Impact of Delay: Both co-applicants and their colleagues in several research institutes use techniques (machine learning and biomolecular simulations) that require GPUs. Without access to cutting-edge GPU nodes, their highly productive research programs will be suspended and the training of life scientists negatively impacted.*****