Korea Bioinformation Center (KOBIC) has been designated as the National Information Center of Biological Research Resources by the act for the acquisition, management, and utilization of biological research resources. KOBIC plays the following major roles: In the field of bio-resource information, it collects and integrates information about bio-resources and biodiversity observed nationwide, across institutions and ministries, to facilitate sharing and utilization of bioresource data. To achieve this, Korean Bioresource Information System (KOBIS), the database for Korean bio- resource information, is also operated.
In the field of bioinformatics, the center serves as the national center for omics data produced by studies funded with national R&D grants, and operate data repository known as BioData. From the Post-Genome Multi-Ministry Genome Project in Korea, the center also collects data and provides a cloud computing-based genome analysis system known as Bio-Express. The center carries out R&D to develop various bioinformatics databases and tools, and carries out scientific genomics studies. For conducting collaborative and outreach activities, various genomics projects in Korea are supported, bioinformatics data analysis services and bioinformatics education programs are provided by the center.
The national Biological Research Resource Information Center in Korea operates Korean Bioresource Information System (KOBIS), which integrates nationwide bioresources and biodiversity information across institutions and ministries. To ensure its role as the national bioresource hub for expanding the impact of data sharing and utilization is fulfilled, the center has been continuously improving the data quantity and content of KOBIS since 2011.
Genomics studies have continuously resulted in a huge amount of data, which is often more than the amount that can be analyzed by individual research labs.
Therefore, it is necessary to have adequate infrastructure, to allow the analysis and sharing of biological big data, for maximizing their scientific potential and value. KOBIC as the national bioinformatics center, operates BioData, a repository of genomics data produced from research supported by national R&D funds.
KOBIC also assists both large and small-scale genomics research activities in Korea. The most notable example of large-scale national genomics research activities is the Post-Genome Multi-Ministry Genome Project in Korea.
For this project, the center developed and operated a cloud computing-based genome analysis system known as Bio-Express, to provide a comprehensive genomics data analysis environment. Through KOBIC research support program, the center also assists individual researchers, who are in need of expert bioinformatics support for their small-scale projects. In addition, the center offers bioinformatics education programs in the form of workshops and online programs.
Over last decade, KOBIC collaborated with the research community and pioneered the development of public resources for data-sharing, databases, analysis pipelines, and research, as evident in many published papers, including data regarding the first Korean human genome sequence in 2009. All the activities mentioned were made possible by the center’s ever-expanding computing infrastructure, which is the largest among bioinformatics research centers in Korea
Selected Publications
Genome analysis of Hibiscus syriacus provides insights of polyploidization and indeterminate flowering in woody plants.
DNA Res. 24(1):71-80.
Ryan W Kim (Corresponding)
Bioinformatic identification of prognostic signature defined by copy number alteration and expression of CCNE1 in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.
Exp Mol Med. 49(1):e282.
In-Sun Chu (Corresponding)
Effect of Cd2+ on tyrosinase : integration of inhibition kinetics with computational simulation.
Int J Biol Macromol. 94:836-844.
Jinhyuk Lee (Co-first)
Inhibitory effect of hesperetin on α-glucosidase : molecular dynamics simulation integrating inhibition kinetics.
Int J Biol Macromol. 101:32-39.
Jinhyuk Lee (Co-corresponding)
The effect of oxaloacetic acid on tyrosinase activity and structure : integration of inhibition kinetics with docking simulation.
Int J Biol Macromol. 101:59-66.
Jinhyuk Lee (Co-first)
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) irreversibly inactivates creatine kinase from Pelodiscus sinensis by targeting the active site cysteine.
Int J Biol Macromol. 105:1595-1601.
Jinhyuk Lee (Co-first)
The effect of alpha-ketoglutaric acid on tyrosinase activity and conformation : kinetics and molecular dynamics simulation study.
Int J Biol Macromol. 105:1654-1662.
Jinhyuk Lee (Co-first)
Inhibition of tyrosinase by fumaric acid : integration of inhibition kinetics with computational docking simulations.
