Fort Valley State University

Bioinformatics, a cutting-edge field which integrates biology and computer science, has enabled scientists to analyze the structure of DNA, develop new treatments for terminal diseases and grow insect-resistant crops. FVSU’s Department of Mathematics and Computer Science has received a $198,404 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions program to create a state-of-the-art bioinformatics laboratory housed in the W.W.E. Blanchet Computer, Technology and Mathematics Building.

“Bioinformatics is used for human, plant and animal genome mapping to understand diseases and to identify new molecular targets for drug discovery, gene therapy and economic production of healthy food items,” said principal investigator Dr. Ramana Gosukonda, a FVSU professor of mathematics and computer science.

The bioinformatics laboratory includes a powerful server and computers equipped with industry-standard data acquisition and analysis systems such as Genetics Computer Group software, Matlab and Oracle. The lab is equipped with interactive learning and teaching technologies, wireless networking and audio-video systems. It is designed to provide technological support for courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics.

Gosukonda worked closely with Dr. Deepa Arora, professor of biology, Dr. Masoud Naghedollfeizi, professor of computer science, Dr. Josephine Davis, professor of mathematics, and Dr. Sanjeev Arora, professor of physics, to establish the facility.

Bioinformatics and computational biology use applied mathematics, informatics, statistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, chemistry and biochemistry to develop cures for diseases on a molecular level. Computers are often used to solve the large equations associated with such applications. Other areas of research often include sequence alignment, gene finding, genome assembly and protein structure alignment and prediction.

An official open house will be held in the fall, when the majority of students and staff return on campus.