Visit to the Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

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Photo Caption: Dr. Suhaimi Napis of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU, Philippines) together with a robot used in genomics research.

Photo Caption: The Genomics Research Center Building in Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. (Source: http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/)

Notes:

After the last session of the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, I together with other EUAsiaGrid partners visited the Genomics Research Center in Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. Our host is Dr. Ying-Ta Wu.

Below is the link to photos taken during our visit to the Genomics Research Center in Academia Sinica:

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Genomics Research Center Website: http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/index.php?v=2

Excerpts from the Website:

"The Genomics Research Center (GRC) of Academia Sinica was founded in January 2003, with major emphasis on the discovery and functional study of certain genes of biological significance and development of innovative technologies and therapeutic strategies. Dr. Winston Chen is currently the Director. Dr.Chi-Huey Wong, currently the President of Academia Sinica, was the first Center Director.

Research in the life science has entered a new era after identification of the human genome and the genome sequences of other species. The challenge that lies ahead is to understand the functions of certain genes and apply that knowledge to development of new technologies and medicines. Academia Sinica is making great efforts to integrate domestic and international resources to foster innovative scientific research in areas related to genomics and proteomics. The GRC is expected to become a center of excellence for genomic research and education. Through the process of using breakthrough discoveries and inventions in the commercial realm, the Center has established a biotechnology incubator to advance the development of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan.

The GRC’s research programs consist of five major areas: Functional Genomics, Chemical Biology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bioinformatics, and Key Technology. There is also an Incubation Center for pursuing technology transfer and collaboration with peer institutions. In addition, Academia Sinica has established several national genomic core facilities (e.g. mouse mutagenesis and disease models, genotyping, microarrays, mass spectrometry and proteomics, X-ray and NMR for structural genomics, MRI, and bioinformatics) to support these research programs."

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Giving a Talk on Grid Computing and Visiting GSI, Darmstadt, Germany (October 10, 2008)

.Aerial view of GSI in Darmstadt, Germany
Scientists and GSI staff who listened to my presentation on Grid Computing
With Dr. Peter Malzacher of GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
With Dr. Kilian Schwarz, my host at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
With Dr. Dieter Schardtof GSI, Darmstadt, Germany
Photo Caption: Part of the Ion Beam Radiotherapy Equipment for Cancer Treatment that was developed at GSI, Darmstadt, Germany.

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Today (Friday, October 10, 2008) I gave a talk on "Grid Computing and Applications: Philippine Initiatives and Perspective" in Gesellschaft fur Schwerrionenforschung (GSI) in Darmstadt, Germany. (See http://www.gsi.de/portrait/ueberblick_e.html). My host is Dr. Kilian Schwarz. Aside from going a talk, I visited the accelerator facilｉty for heavy ion beams, the computer center (with its large cluster system used for grid computing), and the　Laboratory for ion-beam radiotherapy in the fight against cancer. Photos from the collection of Raffy Saldana (http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com)

To see more photos, click on the following link:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/177

(Suggestion: Choose Slideshow Option)

Notes on GSI:

Source: http://www.gsi.de/portrait/ueberblick_e.html

The goal of the scientific research conducted at the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung, GSI, is to understand the structure and behavior of the world that surrounds us. In addition to broadening our understanding of the world, this knowledge also serves as a basis for technological progress in all areas of our lives.

GSI operates a large, in many aspects worldwide unique accelerator facility for heavy-ion beams. Researchers from around the world use the facility for experiments that help point the way to new and fascinating discoveries in basic research. In addition, the scientists use their findings to continually develop new and impressive applications.

The research program at GSI covers a broad range of activities extending from nuclear and atomic physics to plasma and materials research to biophysics and cancer therapy. Probably the best-known results are the discovery of six new chemical elements and the development of a new type of tumor therapy using ion beams.

What are Ions?

Ions are "charged” atoms, they are formed from neutral atoms by adding electrons to or stripping electrons from the electron shell. Due to their charge, ions can be accelerated and steered by means of electric and magnetic fields.

Facts and Figures

Foundation	1969
Associates	Federal Republic of Germany (90%), State of Hessen (10%)
Member	Helmholtz Association
Task	Construction and operation of accelerator facilities and research of heavy accelerated ions.
Budget	85 Mio Euro per year
Staff	1050 employees, including 300 scientists and engineers
Capital equipment	Linear accelerator UNILAC Heavy ion synchrotron SIS Experiment storage ring ESR Fragment separator FRS High-energy/high-efficiency laser PHELIX (being constructed) Several large systems of spectrometers and detectors Medical irradiation unit for cancer therapy
Scientific Cooperation	Users of the GSI facilities are predominantly non-resident scientists, mainly from German Universities (totalling over 1,000 scientists per year). World-wide cooperation with approximately 400 institutes from over 50 countries.