The Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation

Tuesday 21st June, 2005 IPI Commissions High Performance Computing and Visualisation Facilities

The University of Bradford’s Institute of Pharmaceutical Innovation has powerful computing and visualisation facilities to support its innovative programme of computational pharmaceutics.

The IPI, opened by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury in October 2003, uses the latest artificial intelligence and computer simulation technology together with advanced analytical techniques to research new methods for the development of better drugs.

IPI’s new computational suite includes a High Performance Linux Compute Cluster which has the power of almost 100 normal PCs found in our homes and offices.

Frank Leusen.IPI Senior Scientist Dr Frank Leusen (pictured right): “The state-of-the-art computational and visualisation facilities allow us to perform and analyse complex simulations in pharmaceutical development that we could previously only dream of. Not only will it allow us to significantly reduce the time it takes to simulate an experiment from, say, one year to four days, it will also enable us to extend the scale of an experiment to 100 times the size we have previously been used to.”

The new machinery is complemented by a suite of high-performance graphics workstations, and a virtual reality system which allows, using 3D glasses, projected images of objects similar to an hologram of virtually anything – from a World Cup football match with the football seen hurtling towards you to a tour through the inside of your home.

Where this has only been previously possible using two-dimensional technology, scientists could now see objects moving toward them as they approach.

The new graphics and 3D projection will be used in the analysis and dissemination of projected 3D models of molecules, proteins and crystal structures.

The Institute has recently appointed a full time systems administrator to manage the facilities and provide in-depth support to researchers. Dr Victoria Pennington has a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Liverpool, and has since worked at several UK universities including Leeds and Manchester.

An expert in Linux cluster system management and the provision of high performance computing services to the research community, she also has extensive experience in academic research and industrial consultancy work in the areas of mathematical software, scientific computation and visualisation.

Dr Leusen said: “We are delighted with Victoria’s appointment. Her in-depth knowledge of Linux clusters is already proving to be a tremendous asset to the IPI.”

Notes to Editors

The 3D stereo projection virtual reality system is provided by ProSystems. The High Performance Linux Compute Cluster and the suite of high-performance graphics workstations is from ClusterVision, an industry leader in the design, implementation and support of large-scale computer clusters.

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