ABOUT US
The Virtual Institute of Statistical Genomics is a multi-organisation e-Research collaboration between New Zealand statisticians and geneticists. The VISG was conceived in 2007 as a MapNet initiative. The aim is to develop statistical methods to better use the mountain of data generated by new genomics technologies.
Considerable scientific investment has resulted in massive DNA datasets for species important to New Zealand. These DNA databanks range from human DNA through to genomes of such diverse species as rumen bacteria, sheep, cattle and plantation forestry species. Making sense of all these data requires expertise in high-powered computing, database management and advanced statistical methods. It requires skills in genetics, statistical genetics, bioinformatics and computing.
The VISG is a nationally-important capability in statistical genetics that will establish New Zealand as a world leader in advanced statistical methods for gene mapping by 2014.
How we work
The VISG undertakes research in specific project areas as defined by end-user geneticists from the New Zealand gene mapping community. Research is conducted by project teams consisting of both statisticians and geneticists, usually from multiple organisations, within each team. The VISG is coordinated by the programme leader, assisted by a Project Governance Group which involves senior VISG researchers, science managers and overseas-based renowned statistical geneticists.
The project makes use of recently developed NZ-wide computational infrastructure such as the KAREN network, BeSTGRID and the University of Canterbury Supercomputing resources.
http://www.karen.net.nz
https://www.bestgrid.org
VISG participants
Participants are from Scion Research, Environmental Science and Research (ESR) Ltd., Universities of Auckland and Otago, AgResearch, Plant and Food Research and ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd. Key members of the Virtual Institute of Statistical Genomics are:
Statisticians
Rod Ball, Scion, Lead Statistician (Bayesian Statistician)
Ken Dodds, AgResearch, Lead Statistician
Benoit Auvray, AgResearch, Statistician
Mik Black, University of Otago, Lead Statistician and Bioinformaticist
Sharon Browning, University of Auckland, Bayesian Statistician
Nihal DeSilva, Plant Food Ltd, Statistician
Yi Lin Jia, Plant and Food Ltd. Statistician
Geneticists
Phillip Wilcox, Scion, Lead Geneticist, and Project Governance Group member and Project Leader
Gail Timmerman-Vaughan, Plant and Food Ltd, Lead Geneticist and Project Governance Group member
Tony Merriman, University of Otago, Lead Geneticist and Project Governance Group member
David Chagne, Plant and Food Ltd. Geneticist
John McCallum, Plant and Food Ltd. Geneticist
Paul Fisher, AgResearch. Geneticist
Mark McNeilage, Plant and Food Ltd. Geneticist
Brent Barrett, AgResearch. Geneticist
Rod Lea, ESR Ltd. Geneticist
Geoff Gill, ViaLactia Biosciences. Geneticist
Project Governance Group members
Bruce Weir, Chair and Professor of Biostatistics, University of Washington
Elspeth Macrae, Scion. Group Manager Bioproduct Development.
Peter Visscher, Senior Principal Research Fellow, Queensland Institute of Medical Research
Phillip Wilcox, Scion
Gail Timmerman-Vaughan, Plant and Food Ltd.
Tony Merriman, University of Otago
