NSF Biological Sciences (non-NC/GC) Budget Code:  
Many areas of both basic and applied biology require the use of computational tools to resolve significant questions. HPCC has had a dramatic impact on many of these areas. Three examples are mentioned below. Each one must analyze experimental results, construct detailed theory and then interrelate the two. They must also develop database systems to handle heterogeneous databases and to develop networking technologies to link various databases. This program activity supports the development of necessary computational tools: software; optimization techniques; and large volume data accessing, storage and managing techniques. In addition, the activity supports modeling of biological phenomena on new computer architectures, which will allow new questions to be posed and answered in these areas. In many cases projects are supported that involve multidisciplinary groups of investigators.

Structural Biology: The challenge is to determine macromolecular structure, and to relate structure to function. Determining structure of a molecule directly from experimental data or inferring it through comparison with known structures are computationally intensive problems that will not be solved without HPCC systems. The impact of solving these problems will be felt in both basic and applied biology, e.g., rational drug design, as well as biomaterials.

Neuroscience: The challenge is to understand how networks of neurons work, and ultimately how the entire nervous system operates, from sensory systems to learning and memory. New HPCC architectures allow for explorations of these questions. The impact of further understanding of experimental and theoretical systems will be felt in the areas of health care (neuropharmacology, psychotherapy), artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Ecology: The challenge is to understand the relationship of individuals that interact at various scales, both spatial -- from microorganisms to higher organisms, from populations to entire ecosystems, ultimately to global scale -- and temporal -- from nanoseconds to geological time. The complexity of the data and of the relationships requires computational solutions. Impact of advances in this area will be felt on issues of global change, biodiversity, and the environment.
Budget ($ M)
FY 95 Act 9.89
FY 96 Pres 11.43
FY 96 Est 12.42
FY 97 Rqst  
Program Component Areas
  FY 96 FY 97
HECC    
LSN 12.42  
HCS    
HuCS    
ETHR    
Agency Ties
DARPA  
NSF  
DOE  
NASA  
NIH  
NSA  
NIST  
NOAA  
EPA  
ED  
AHCPR  
VA  
Milestone Changes Several Milestones listed below contribute to and benefit from other NSF themes such as Ubiquitous Computing and Communication and Human-Machine Interaction & Information Access.
FY 1995 Actual Milestones FY 1996 Estimated Milestones FY 1997 Agency Requested Milestones
Developed collaborative internet research environments (e.g.,Khoros).

Established the center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, prototyping the linking of heterogeneous databases.

Continued development and distribution of computational tools for molecular dynamics,neural simulators, and ecological simulation studies, with aims of increasing size and realism of simulations. 		Develop prototype information workplace of the 21st century including tools for use and accessibility of heterogeneous (multimedia) distributed databases.

Develop search tools for databases of images.

Develop postdoctoral and training programs in the use of high performance computing and information technology.

Begin partnerships with other agencies regarding information infrastructure support and maintenance, e.g., the Network of Networks.

Continue development of the center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, and of models and tools to make computer simulations of biological phenomena more realistic over temporal and spatial scales. 		This activity is now incorporated into the activity described under Applications.