Bioinformatics Institute
Our history
The Bioinformatics Institute was established in 2001 as a joint initiative between the University of Auckland and AgResearch. In 2009 the Bioinformatics Institute was re-launched to focus on expanding the use of bioinformatics in University of Auckland research.
From December 2011 to December 2017, the Institute has been a collaborator within New Zealand Genomics Ltd (NZGL), a nationally coordinated initiative that made access to genomics and bioinformatics techniques accessible to New Zealand researchers. The majority of Bioinformatics Institute research projects were provided through NZGL.
From 2018, the Bioinformatics Institute will once again be focused on research and education. For basic bioinformatics services, go to the Auckland Genomics website.
Establishment and evolutionary focus, 2003-2008
The Bioinformatics Institute was established in 2003 as a joint initiative between the University of Auckland and AgResearch. Its founding director was Professor Allen Rodrigo. Originally, the Institute's focus was only on research, but it quickly became the de facto home for students enrolled in BSc and MSc programmes in bioinformatics, as well as having a central role in promoting bioinformatics education within the University and in Auckland-area schools.
In 2006, AgResearch involvement in the Bioinformatics Institute ended, and the Institute saw an increased demand for computational biology support with a parallel need to bring together researchers engaged in similar activities.
Re-launch and computational focus, 2009-2011
In November 2009, the Bioinformatics Institute was re-launched as a University Institute hosted by the Faculty of Science, in partnership with the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. The re-launch recognised the complementary strengths of both Faculties in bioinformatics and computational biology. As part of the re-launch, then-Associate Professor James Curran (Department of Statistics, Faculty of Science) and Associate Professor Cristin Print (Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences) were appointed as the Institute's Co-Directors.
Following its re-launch, the Bioinformatics Institute broadened its focus to areas of interest to experimentalists and clinical researchers. BI staff also contributed to the evolution of the successful proposals around the formation of the New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) and New Zealand Genomics Ltd (NZGL).
Collaboration with NZGL, 2011-2017
In December 2011, the Bioinformatics Institute (as part of the University of Auckland) became a collaborator within New Zealand Genomics Ltd (NZGL), a government-funded initiative to provide New Zealand researchers with access to advanced genomics and bioinformatics analysis services within local institutions.
