The NCI Center for Bioinformatics (NCICB) Overview
In order to capitalize on extraordinary opportunities the NCI has
launched an extensive series of research initiatives. These initiatives
serve as nucleation points for the larger collection of
investigator-initiated cancer research efforts. The NCI initiatives are
diverse. They are also highly interdependent. Each domain has
important intersections with other research areas.
Each NCI initiative requires informatics support. The majority of this
support entails the development of infrastructure components and tools
that largely affect the proximate research activities for that
initiative. However, because of their interdependence, each effort also
consumes and generates information of significance to other initiatives,
and to the broader cancer research community. In order to maximize the
utility of information obtained within an effort and its exchange between
initiatives coordination is required. This coordination is needed for
efficiency in building infrastructure and to assure the existence of
conduits of electronic communication. The goal of this coordination is
to expand the insights that can be obtained by the cancer research
community.
To address these informatics needs the NCI has established the Center
for Bioinformatics (NCICB). Its mission is to provide bioinformatics
support and integration of NCI supported research initiatives. To
achieve this goal the NCICB has been constituted as a network of
Initiative-Specific Core Modules connected through intelligent
interfaces and coordinated through an NCI Core Module. Each Core Module
has three inter-related missions: projects (development and support of
production activities related to the initiative), service (facilitating
research within the initiative), and research (within the initiative's
defined domain). | 
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