A central focus of new biology science and technology is the large and rapidly growing body of knowledge of the gene code fundamental to all life. The ongoing Human Genome Project and related international efforts are on track with a full unraveling of this code in the coming decade, and this is resulting in a flood of important data to biosciences researchers. The Internet is the primary means for distributing this public data. As primary genome data is growing to tens of Gigabytes, and rapid increase in use of the Internet has introduced delays, the ability to disseminate this data in timely manner has suffered. A need exists for use of high performance network methods to speed the distribution of this data.

This proposal to support a Bio-Mirror project, centered at Indiana University Biology Department, for high speed, world-wide distribution of gene code data will help address this need. Indiana University is well positioned with its High Performance Network initiatives to address needs for rapid distribution of these data. The principle investigator has established a ten year record of providing public access to bioinformatics data, through the well known IUBio Archive. Based on these strengths of Indiana University for bioinformatics network services, a Bio-Mirror project has been initiated to address rapid exchange of biosequence data.

This proposal requests equipment support and collaboration with Indiana University High Performance Network initiative members (including TransPAC and Internet2/Abilene).