Gil Omenn and Martha Darling honored by University
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About CCMB
The Center for Computational Medicine and Biology (CCMB) was
created to facilitate interdisciplinary research in computational
medicine and biology and to forge collaborative relationships with
faculty across campus and the US. Computational medicine and biology,
also known as bioinformatics, is an emerging field that pursues
biological questions using advanced computational technology such as
complex merged datasets and powerful computing clusters. Faculty from all areas of campus are affiliated with the center.
At
present, the Center has three components. The Bioinformatics Graduate Program (BGP)
trains masters and Ph.D-level scholars, and oversees the research
computing for four faculty members with partial appointments in the
program. The Bioinformatics Graduate Program currently has 24 doctoral and 11
master-level students. The Collaborative Computing & Data Unit
provides expert support for large cluster computing -- a necessary
component for doing research in computational medicine and biology.
This core also works with the UM Medical School and OVPR to address
long-term deficits in computing needs across campus.
Finally, the center’s The Interdisciplinary Research Program
oversees several NIH and state-funded projects, the largest being the
National Center for Integrative Biomedical Informatics, whose goal is
developing tools to facilitate biomedical research. The IDR also
provides support to faculty applying for interdisciplinary grants in
all areas of bioinformatics research.
The creation of the CCMB has presented several
administrative challenges, particularly the establishment of a organizational design
that will provide structure and oversight while allowing for
flexibility and growth as the biomedical informatics discipline grows and changes. Currently,
CCMB activities include faculty and students in the following University of Michigan units:
Medical School, College of Engineering, School of Information, School
of Public Health, the University Library, and the College of
Literature, Science, and the Arts.
