The University of North Texas (UNT) has established the Center for Computational Life Sciences (CCLS), a new multidisciplinary research center aimed at developing computational methods for analyzing large biological datasets. This collaboration includes faculty from UNT’s College of Engineering, College of Science, and College of Information, engaging 40 affiliated faculty members across disciplines such as biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, information science, and mathematics.
The center, directed by Associate Professor Serdar Bozdag, seeks to enhance research impact and productivity by providing a platform for experts to collaborate. The rise of high-throughput technologies has resulted in vast amounts of biological data that require sophisticated analysis methods. Bioinformatics, which involves using computer technology such as machine learning, plays a crucial role in converting these datasets into actionable insights, potentially accelerating experimental processes.
With nearly $25 million in active research grants, the center’s faculty are already pursuing projects with significant implications for medicine and biology, including a $1.8 million NIH award received by Bozdag for developing computational tools. The center will also support UNT students, particularly those in the Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence program, by offering research and training opportunities.
In addition to internal collaborations with UNT’s Advanced Environmental Research Institute and BioDiscovery Institute, the center plans to partner with other universities and industry businesses. Its future initiatives include educational workshops on bioinformatics. The CCLS represents a significant effort to foster innovation and collaboration in life sciences research within Denton, with the goal of making transformative medical discoveries.