Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels

Life sciences are rapidly converting to a “whole genome” approach, with large volumes of data becoming available by means of high-throughput technologies(e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics). Collecting and analysing such a vast amount of data needs a close and continuous interdisciplinary collaboration between life scientists, engineers, computer scientists and bioinformaticians. Several teams at ULB and VUB adopt bioinformatics methods for their research in biology, biomedical sciences (e.g. genetics, oncology, microbiology), bioengineering and computer science. However,the geographical dispersion of these scientists in different departments and campuses is a barrier to reaching the critical mass necessary for collaborations and discussions that lead to innovative and excellent science. In order to address this issue and offer the best working and intellectual perspectives to these scientists, the ULB and VUB created the Interuniversity Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels (IB)2which started its activities on October 1st 2013, in the BC building of the ULB La Plaine Campus. The (IB)2 is an active and growing example of ULB-VUB research collaboration and is therefore perfectly aligned with the rationale of ULB-VUB JRG