Bioinformatics is an emerging field of science that is concerned with the management, analysis and visualization of the flood of data being generated in molecular and cellular biology, genomics and other areas of biology and biomedicine. The Center for Integrated Bioinformatics focuses on a system approach to bioinformatics in which information at the gene, protein, cell, tissue, organ, and system level is integrated and interpreted for early detection, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatment of complex diseases such as cancer.

The program offers bioinformatics education at both undergraduate and graduate levels and provides advanced bioinformatics training programs for The Greater Philadelphia Bioinformatics Alliance. The skills developed in the program will also be applicable to the other emerging technologies in the State of Pennsylvania, including information technology / optoelectronics and advanced manufacturing involving nano-biotechnologies.

Partnerships

Mentoring

Partner Institutions

Greater Philadelphia Bioinformatics Alliance Virtual Institute

Drexel University has formed a partnership with the University City High School for preparing interested students for a productive career in the biotechnology industry. The program consists of one-on-one mentoring of junior and high school students by Drexel University graduate students under the guidance of Professor Aydin Tozeren and his staff at the Center for Integrated Bioinformatics of Drexel University. The features of the mentorship program are as follows:

1) Mentorship program matches a motivated high school student with a graduate or advanced undergraduate student at Drexel Biomedical Engineering who are trained for professional conduct in mentoring activities.

2) Mentorship activities take place at the Drexel University campus and consist of two 90 minute sessions per week.

3) Mentorship program focuses on preparation for the standard tests, helping with course work, teaming for a science project as well as related activities such as learning how to create one’s own web page.

4) The ultimate aim of the program is to develop an effective pipeline from high school to community college and or four year college that will prepare students for high paying and challenging jobs in the biotechnology industry.

5) Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering has agreed to admit all students in this program who successfully complete the high school and community college phases of the program to its nationally accredited biomedical engineering undergraduate program. These students will have advanced status and should be able to complete their education at Drexel University in three years in a setting that provides 6 months academic education and 6 months professional training as coop students. Students completing the Drexel program are well poised to develop productive careers in the biomedical industry. There are also significant tuition discounts upon entering this program.

Participating Secondary School:
University City High School
Participating Post-Secondary Schools:
Bucks County Community College
Community College of Philadelphia (dual enrollment program)
Delaware County Community College (dual enrollment program)
Montgomery County Community College
Drexel University

The ultimate aim of the program is to develop an effective pipeline from high school to community college and or four year college that will prepare students for high paying and challenging jobs in the biotechnology industry. Drexel University School of Biomedical Engineering has agreed to admit all students in this program who successfully complete the high school and community college phases of the program to its nationally accredited biomedical engineering undergraduate program. These students will have advanced status and should be able to complete their education at Drexel University in three years in a setting that provides 6 months academic education and 6 months professional training as coop students. Students completing the Drexel program are well poised to develop productive careers in the biomedical industry. There are also significant tuition discounts upon entering this program.

 http://bioinformatics.biomed.drexel.edu/CfIB_HS_Mentoring.html

Virtual Institute for Advanced Undergraduate Students

Drexel University 2+2+2 educational Pipeline in Biotechnology developed a 10-week summer course in bioinformatics that was offered to advanced undergraduate students as part of the Greater Philadelphia Bioinformatics Alliance Virtual Institute [http://www.gpba-bio.com/vi_2007.asp]. Students are exposed to cutting edge technologies and software that are shaping the future of the biotech industry.  These courses are offered free of charge to qualified undergraduate students in PA.  The courses are listed in the GPBA site www.gpba-bio.com ] six months in advance of the summer session.