9318128 Smith The purpose of this proposal is to generate funds to upgrade our VAX 6000-410 computer to a DEC 7000-610, to increase our disk space by adding new SCSI disks, to purchase fiber-optic hub equipment allowing the new computer to be connected directly to the Medical Center's fiber-optic network, and to add two new X-terminals and a color printer for public use. The computer currently functions as a shared central resource within the Medical Center providing data bank storage and computing power for nearly all research scientists at the Medical Center whose work involves molecular biology. The current machine is overwhelmed by the rapidly increasing number of users, and the rapid growth of the molecular biology databases. Additionally, the resource is required to fill an expanding role as a file and compute server for a rapidly growing number of users who are choosing to purchase high power Macintoshes, IBM-PCs and workstations, in addition to serving a large group of peer reviewed and funded projects requiring basic computing facilities. The goal of our shared resource is to enhance current services and to provide new facilities, some of which are under development in the Medical Center. These resources consist of new databases, tools for the analysis of molecular structure, and selected image processing tools and resources. Our goal is to support research on biological structure at all levels from the molecular to the cellular. The PI and the CoPIs are currently--and will continue to be- -major users of the computer system. They share a commitment to a shared computing resource and are involved in projects that will enhance its value to the Medical Center and the broader international research community.
