Newswise — WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $5 million in funding for six new research projects in computational biology. The aim is to develop new software and analytical tools for managing the growing quantities of genomics and other data stemming from the study of microbes and other biological systems.

“Thanks to advances in genomic sequencing and other high-throughput technologies, we have been accumulating mountains of new data on biological systems,” said Dr. Chris Fall, Director of DOE’s Office of Science. “There is an increasing need for advanced computational tools to sort through this data and transform it into real knowledge, and these projects will enable progress in that important effort.”

Projects include developing approaches for translating genomics, proteomics, and other so-called ‘omics data into models; advanced data analytics methods to identify interactions between viral and bacterial components of microbial communities; and the application of novel statistical tools and advanced algorithms to these studies, among other topics.

Awards were selected based on competitive peer review under a DOE Funding Opportunity Announcement issued by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) within DOE’s Office of Science. Total funding is $5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 dollars, for projects up to three years in duration.

A list of projects can be found on the BER home page under the heading, “What’s New.”