The University of Toledo

WELCOME to the "CHOOSE OHIO FIRST" Program in Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics

The Choose Ohio First Program in Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics (BPG) at the University of Toledo Health Science Campus is designed to provide students and researchers with the advanced analytical tools and approaches needed for state-of-the-art biomedical research. The BPG Program is associated with independent, but cooperating programs on the University of Toledo Main Campus and at Bowling Green State University (BioInfOhio consortium).

THE BPG PROGRAM CONSISTS OF TWO MAIN COMPONENTS:

• EDUCATION:
  BPG offers an MSBS degree based on coursework and a thesis. In addition, others (including MD or PhD students in other UT graduate programs) can qualify for a Certificate in Bioinformatics and Biomarkers by taking four core courses.

• CORE FACILITIES:
  BPG currently has two core facilities.
  • The Bioinformatics Laboratory is a dual-purpose teaching and research facility based around a Linux cluster, and an advanced web server from Dell, for bioinformatic analyses. The cluster is linked to, and managed by, the Ohio Supercomputer Center in Columbus via Internet2.  BPG Databases (View database information at this link.)
  • The Genomics Core Laboratory is focused on microarray analysis, and includes a robotic arrayer and chip scanner (used for protein as well as nucleic acid microarrays), and an Affymetrix node.
  • Other UT core facilities can be seen here.

CHOOSE OHIO FIRST BIOINFORMATICS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The University of Toledo Bioinformatics Program has been awarded funding by the Choose Ohio First Program, and is being provided eight, two-year tuition scholarships per year, beginning in the Fall of 2008. Applicants must be a resident of Ohio. Undergraduates may apply as incoming freshmen, incoming transfer students or at any time during their academic career. MS and PhD students may also apply at any time during their academic career. Students who wish to apply may major in a range of academic disciplines that utilize computer science to manage biological data. To view a pdf, which explains the Choose Ohio First Program, please click on the following link: http://www.ohiobioinformaticsconsortium.org/scholarships.shtml,

If you are interested in applying to be considered for a COF Scholarship in Bioinformatics at The University of Toledo, please click on the following link to review key points and application instructions:

Click here for Choose Ohio First criteria and application instructions

If you have any questions about the Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program, please do not hesitate to contact the Program secretary, Jo Anne Gray, 419-383-6883, joanne.gray@utoledo.edu.

BIOLOGY/BIOINFORMATICS DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM, also supported by C.O.F. 
The Bioinformatics & Proteomics/Genomics Program along with the Department of Biological Sciences is now offering a Dual-Degree BS/MS in Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics. This "Pipeline" program is available to students at the end of their second year at the Univeristy of Toledo.

IN 5.5 YEARS, you can receive a Bachelors degree in Biological Sciences AND a Masters degree in Bioinformatics.  Please click on the link below to view a video explaining this exciting opportunity.  For additional information on required courses (PDF), please click on "Pipeline Program description..." , 3rd item in left column.  

YouTube VIDEO Presentation  (6 minutes)

External Support:
The BPG Program could not have been developed without the generous support from external agencies and foundations. A list of this support can be found on the Grants and Awards page of this site.

Contact Information:
For additional information about becoming a BPG student, BPG research at UT, or use of the BPG core facilities, contact the BPG Secretary, Ms. JoAnne Gray, 419-383-6883, or the BPG Program Director, Dr. Robert M. Blumenthal, 419-383-5422.