Life Sciences Division
1997-98
Progress Report
- Overview
- Mission
- Structure
- Lab Animal Resources
- Operations & Support
- Mouse Genetics Research
- DNA Sequencing Lab
- Gene Expression Chip Lab
- Dosimetry & Biokinetic
- Life Cycle Analysis
- Environmental Assessment
- Biological Sciences
- Functional Genomics & Proteomics
- Structural Biology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Technology Applications
Joint Institute for Biological Sciences
Much of the progress in biological sciences during the past 20 years can be traced to (1) understanding the structure and function of genes and (2) applying biological processes to engineer organisms, treat disease, and manufacture pharmaceuticals and other materials. During that time, the contributions to these areas of research made by ORNL and UT have benefited people locally, nationally, and worldwide. Also during that time, ORNL and UT have enjoyed a relationship of cooperation. In keeping with that longstanding tradition, ORNL and UT have agreed to establish the Joint Institute for Biological Sciences to promote collaborative R&D.
The Institute will address the biological needs of the future by meeting the following objectives:
- obtain public and private funding;
- combine the areas of strength and merge the R&D currently under way at both institutions;
- help and advise state, regional, and national organizations;
- offer R&D support for private industry;
- offer education, training, and on-the-job experience for students, medical personnel, and policymakers; and;
- devise strategies to finance
- construction of needed research facilities,
- acquisition of state-of-the art equipment, and
- appointments of collaborating-scientist positions;
The Joint Institute will be developed in phases. The first phase will involve programs already in existence at ORNL and UT, which include a graduate program in biological sciences as well as programs in functional genomics, computational biology, and bioinformatics. The second phase will involve developing areas of research that include forensic sciences, biomimetics and biomaterials, and biomedical technologies.
Phase 1
Graduate and Postdoctoral Education:
ORNL and UT have a 30-year history of working cooperatively on graduate education through the UT-ORNL Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. That program is undergoing a major revision that will culminate in a shift in focus toward the disciplines of functional genomics, structural biology, and bioinformatics/computational biology. Educational activities will also involve undergraduate students, who will be encouraged to pursue advanced studies.
Functional Genomics:
Until recently, genetic research has been limited to studying the function of individual genes. Developments within multiple disciplines have enabled researchers to begin pursuing functional genomics, in which gene function is studied on the genome scale. The ORNL Laboratory for Comparative and Functional Genomics will be the focal point for multidisciplinary functional genomics research within the Institute.
Bioinformatics and Computational Biology:
Mathematics and computational science will play a key role in biological and environmental research at the Institute. Emphasis will be placed on education and training. In addition, researchers and engineers from a number of disciplines will collaborate at to meet the following challenges:
- computational infrastructure,
- prediction of macromolecular structure and function
- cell biology
- genomic computation,
- biomechanics, and
- neuroscience.
Phase 2
As first-phase goals are met, new areas of research will be pursued at the Institute. The following disciplines have been identified as phase-2 goals:
- forensic sciences
- biomimetics and biomaterials
- biomedical technologies
Acting Director: Barry A. Berven, 865-576-2083, e-mail: baz@ornl.gov
Web Address: http://jibs.org (effective August 1, 1999)