National Human Genome Research Institute With Isilon

Isilon Systems, Inc. announced that the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), one of 27 National Institutes of Health (NIH), has deployed Isilon scale-out storage to help power its next-generation DNA sequencing operations.

Using Isilon’s X-Series, featuring the OneFS operating system, NHGRI has added to its downstream genomic analysis workflow a single, high-performance, shared storage resource, simplifying data management to improve research productivity. With Isilon, NHGRI can scale storage resources in-line with the demands of its multi-hundred core Linux compute cluster, accelerating time-to-discovery in its efforts to improve human health.  

NHGRI is one of 27 research institutes that comprise the NIH and began as the National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR), which was established in 1989 to carry out the role of the NIH in the International Human Genome Project (HGP). With the human genome sequence complete since April 2003, NHGRI now focuses on leveraging genomic research to increase medical knowledge and improve medical treatment.

Prior to using Isilon, NHGRI’s traditional NAS system limited the often unpredictable and intense performance demands of its genomic data analysis, slowing research productivity and complicating storage management. Working with Isilon partner Plan B Technologies, NHGRI deployed Isilon’s 72000X to add a single file system and point of management to its genomic analysis workflow, enabling its researchers to spend more time analyzing genomes.

"While the rate of innovation in genome sequencing technology continues to accelerate, data management and storage systems have not been able to keep pace, limiting researchers’ ability to transform genomic research into medical breakthroughs," said Donnie Downs, CEO, Plan B Technologies. "However, Isilon’s unique scale-out storage solutions provide exactly what data-intensive DNA sequencing workflows require – high performance and scalability with nearly zero management – enabling these skilled scientists to focus on their research and not on storage."

"In genomic research, accelerating time-to-discovery is always a top priority that can only be accomplished through the use of innovative, purpose-built technology," said Sam Grocott, vice president of marketing, Isilon. "By combining Isilon scale-out storage with their high-performance compute infrastructure, NHGRI is setting best practices for leveraging IT to maximize the value of genomic data."