In investigating H1N1, Dr. Scheuermann said his team plugged the virus' genetic sequences into the NIH-sponsored Influenza Research Database he oversees and found that the genetic coding of the H1N1 virus is nothing like the normal circulating seasonal influenza virus. ViPR, which will have the same kind of functionality as the influenza database, will help researchers answer similar questions about other human pathogenic viruses. The ultimate goal is to develop better diagnostic tools, therapeutics and vaccines, he said. The ViPR database is scheduled to be available in December at www.viprbrc.

In addition to providing gene-sequence information on numerous viruses, ViPR will offer tools enabling the analysis and visualization of host-pathogen interactions. The resource also will support the integration of data such as collection methods and geographic coordinates from surveillance and epidemiological studies, as well as data from clinical trials.

Dr. Scheuermann said sharing scientific data in open-access portals like ViPR is increasingly important as the volume and diversity of life-science information continues to accumulate.

"While the consistency of data sharing and the protection of that data must be periodically evaluated, collaboration between investigators is generally required in order to compile enough data to make meaningful conclusions," he said. "This bioinformatics resource center is one example of how the NIAID, aided by research centers like UT Southwestern, is leading the effort and developing the infrastructure to support data sharing."

Source: UT Southwestern Medical Center