An International Cooperative Program Supported by
U N E S C O
INTERNATIONAL CENTER
FOR
COOPERATION IN BIOINFORMATICS
Headquartered at The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot
WHAT IS BIOINFORMATICS
Bioinformatics deals with collection, storage, analysis and transfer
of a rapidly-expanding body of molecular-biological information, particularly
in the fields of medicine, biotechnology and agriculture.
HOW DOES IT WORK
The worldwide aggregate of molecular-biological data (such as DNA and
protein sequences, crystallographic data, taxonomy, literature citations)
is stored in computerized, annotated form in large central databases in
the USA, Europe and Japan. These data are directly available to highly-trained
and suitably equipped scientists via specialized telephone and computer
networks. Alternatively, they are electronically distributed in an organized
fashion to designated regional, national and special nodes, which then
channel them to local users in reformatted and user-friendly forms. A strength
of molecular bioinformatics is its ability to bring the results of comprehensive
data searches from state-of-the-art data banks to the finger tips of remotely-located
scientists, physicians and biotechnologists.
WHO USES IT
Scientists in academia, industry and government in the USA, Western
Europe and Japan are generally equipped and organized to make use of the
world bioinformatic databanks. Scientists in many other regions of the
world lag far behind. They lack the training and equipment to exploit this
vital new tool. Simply stated, they are not plugged in to the international
bioinformatic networks, which more and more are key to modern research
in the life sciences and biotechnology.
THE ICCB AND ITS GOALS
The International Center for Cooperation in Bioinformatics (ICCB) is
headquartered at W.I.S. ICCB provides scientific training and technical
instruction to designated sites in biotechnologically developing countries
in the utilization of relevant international databanks. Training in networking,
trouble shooting and data analysis takes the form of apprenticeships, courses
and hands-on workshops and occurs centrally at W.I.S.'s facilities and
locally at affiliated ICCB sites. The sequential goals of the ICCB program
are: that participating sites become knowledgible and then proficient in
receiving, analyzing and transmitting bioinformatic data over the networks;
attain self-sufficiency in these skills; and, finally, attain functional
autonomy as national or regional bioinformatic nodes.
APPRENTICESHIPS
In a stepwise fashion, recruited personnel from participating sites
are exposed to the entire gamut of hardware, software, network connections
and activities carried out by W.I.S. staff in running and maintaining a
national node. They communicate with the international databanks, manage
node hardware, solve users' problems face-to-face, and provide telephone
help in real time to remote users.
TRAINING WORKSHOPS
Laboratory workshops are held at participating sites and concentrate
on the interface between molecular biology and bioinformatics. Topics include:
network navigation, software packages for analysis of molecular biological
data, graphic tools and computational analyses of molecular-biological
structures.
PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS
Joint meetings for the professional staff of all participating sites
are held to impart coherence as well as depth to the ICCB program, and
allow ready review of progress by representatives of the funding agencies.
Workshop topics include evaluation of progress, suggestions for joint projects
and relevance of the coming year's program.
PROJECTED SIGNIFICANCE
Implementation of the ICCB program will directly lead to use of the
international molecular-biology databanks as a powerful tool in the medical,
agricultural and biotechnological programs of participating countries and
regions.
COOPERATION
Cooperative agreements
BIOINFORMATICS AT ICCB headquarters
ICCB is headquartered at the Weizmann
Institute of Science. W.I.S. hosts a number of bioinformatic activites
reachable from the Web, including:
ICCB CONTACT PERSONS
Affiliations and email addresses