Project: National Gene Vector Biorepository and Coordinating Center (NGVB)
Primary UITS contact: Andy Arenson
Last update: April 17, 2009
Description: The Indiana University School of Medicine has received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to create the National Gene Vector Biorepository and Coordinating Center (NGVB). The NGVB helps university scientists share research information and substances to promote discoveries, patient safety, and compliance with regulations of the Food and Drug Administration.
UITS staff, in collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine's Bioinformatics Core, have built and are maintaining and extending the web-based information systems that are used to manage and share information.
Outcome and benefits: The NGVB's services include maintaining a warehouse of important reagents, disseminating the results of safety studies, and storing biological materials and patient specimens in accordance with FDA regulations.
Researchers use gene vectors, such as disabled viruses, to carry genetic materials in the body in hopes of treating or preventing disease. For example, genes important for fighting infections may be inserted into immune system cells that have been rendered inactive by genetic mutations. Scientists are using gene transfer techniques in studies involving a broad range of diseases including cancer, heart disease, cystic fibrosis, immune disorders including arthritis, and infectious diseases.
Software and delivery: All primary external-facing software is in production as of April 1, 2009. All primary internal-facing software is scheduled to be in production as of May 1, 2009. Further enhancements are expected throughout the duration of the grant.
Client impact: The following Indiana University researchers are directly or indirectly supported by this project:
- Ken Cornetta, Medical and Molecular Genetics
- Tatiana Foroud, Medical and Molecular Genetics
- Stephen Dlouhy, Medical and Molecular Genetics
- Sean Mooney, Medical and Molecular Genetics
- Mary Dinauer, Microbiology and Immunology
UITS and Bioinformatics Core Project team:
- Andy Arenson
- Jessica Dantzer
- Jim Mullen
- Peter Serguta
- Sheeba Soney
Additional information:
- PI: Ken Cornetta
- Funding agency and grants: NIH/NCRR 1 P40 RR024928-01, April 1, 2008-March 31, 2011
- Funding to UITS: $272,912
- Total funding to IU related to this project: $3,040,145
