Washington U. to expand data center for genomics

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A $14.3 million federal grant will help Washington University in St. Louis expand a data center used to identify the genetic origins of cancer.

The university says the project is expected to speed up the pace of genomics-based discoveries. The center's computers store data used to identify the genetic origins of cancer and other diseases.

Scientists at Washington University have pioneered the sequencing of cancer patients' genomes. Researchers are now working to decode the genomes of hundreds of microbes.

Medical school dean Larry Shapiro said the expanded data center will allow scientists to analyze unprecedented volumes of data.