BioInformatics Australia

In its broadest definition, bioinformatics is the application of information technologies and sciences to the organisation, management, mining and use of life-science information. (Bioinformatics Industry Opportunity Taskforce report, Jan 2002).

Bioinformatics Australia was established to steer and advise Bioinformatics in Australia and to provide leadership in Bioinformatics research, education and commercialisation.

It was formed through an alliance between the fledgling Australian Association of Bioinformatics (AAB) and ABSIG, the Bioinformatics Special Interest Group of AusBiotech - Australia's Biotechnology Organisation, and was formally launched at the AusBiotech national meeting in November 2004.

The aim of Bioinformatics Australia shall be the advancement of the science, profession, and industry of bioinformatics by the maintenance of standards in the practice, research, teaching, and commercial application of bioinformatics. As the peak national group representing and supporting Australian bioinformatics in the global bioinformatics community, Bioinformatics Australia will provide a framework to foster and facilitate a national coordination of bioinformatics education, training, research, service provision, and technology diffusion. Bioinformatics Australia will achieve its aims and objectives through the auspices and operational processes of AusBiotech Ltd, Australia's peak biotechnology industry organisation.

The specific objectives of Bioinformatics Australia are to:

• Promote and further develop a national bioinformatics strategy
• Satisfy user demands for bioinformatics services
• Promote, support, and facilitate the research programs of Bioinformatics Australia members
• Provide expert advice to the AusBiotech Board relating to bioinformatics issues at both National and International levels
• Support education, training and outreach

Bioinformatics Australia won a bid for funding to establish the Australian Bioinformatics Network, provided by the federal Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, which will enable Bioinformatics Australia to mature into its intended role as a national representative body supporting and coordinating bioinformatics throughout Australia, and will become responsible for implementing the findings of the National Bioinformatics Strategy. An Executive Officer has been appointed to take on these challenges.

To get involved with Bioinformatics Australia,

• Become a member of AusBiotech and participate in Bioinformatics Australia.
• Join the Bioinformatics Australia mailing list.

This list will be used only by members of the Bioinformatics Australia committee to provide information about Bioinformatics Australia and other bioinformatics-related subjects which the committee feels will be of interest to the bioinformatics community.
 

For further queries, contact Tim Littlejohn from IBM Australia -  tglittle@au1.ibm.com

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