Currently, DataFoundry is being developed in the genomics arena to enable new computational analysis techniques for functional genomics and structural biology. Computational methodologies are proving to be a viable and cost-effective alternative to the slower and more expensive experimental methods prevalent in many scientific domains. These new techniques are generating large amounts of highly complex and dynamic data which must be adroitly managed for effective analysis. Scientific data management is a critical enabling technology that addresses this need. Functional genomics is a domain of great practical importance that is currently facing an explosive growth in the complexity and availability of certain types of data.
Functional genomics involves identifying the role encoded proteins play in an organism.
This work will have an immense impact on the overall health and well-being of humanity over the next century. This is not just due to the medical advances in treating human illness that will be made possible, but also because of the introduction of more disease resistant and prolific varieties of wheat, rice, cattle and other economically vital species. Determining the structure of each of the naturally occurring proteins would greatly facilitate the goal of functionally characterizing genomic sequences. To date, the primary techniques for identifying a protein's 3D structure rely on NMR or crystallography. However, without massive additional outlays for new equipment and labs, they can determine only 100-200 unique protein structures per year.