Bioinformatics focuses on developing computational methods for collecting, handling and analyzing biological data. Research ranges from formulating models and theories about biological systems, to constructing algorithms and developing computer programs, and requires expertise in many traditional disciplines.
BiRC has a strong emphasis on molecular evolution, molecular population genetics, and statistical and algorithmic approaches to bioinformatics, and our research spans from addressing purely theoretical questions, to program development, applications and empirical collaborations.
The staff and students at BiRC are engaged in a diverse range of bioinformatics activities ranging from the development of statistical models and computational algorithms to analysis of biological data at the DNA, RNA and protein levels in a variety of species. Analysis of data is most often performed in close collaboration with the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics and the Faculty of Health at the University of Aarhus, or a variety of national and international collaborators.
Our research focuses on development and implementation of efficient algorithms and statistical modelling of biological and medical problems, based e.g. on the principles of molecular evolution. This is reflected in the fact that an equal share of computer scientists, statisticians and biologists are employed at BiRC.
Research at BiRC, generally, falls into one of the following catagories:
Professorer
Lektorer
Tenure-track adjunkt
Bioinformatics research activities at Aarhus University were initiated in the late 1980's and grew considerably during the 1990's. The Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC) was established in January 2001 as a collaboration between the Faculty of Science (now Faculty of Natural Sciences) and the Faculty of Health.
From March 2001 to June 2008 BiRC was housed in the so-called officers' building, building 1090, situated at Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 10 (later demolished to make way for the Skou building, building 1115-1116). In August 2008 the centre moved to building 1110, C. F. Møllers Alle 8, where it occupied the 3rd and 4th floors.
In January 2022 BiRC moved to a new, renovated building, building 1872, at the University City.
From July 2023, the Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC) has become part of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBG). The BiRC brand will be maintained as an independent entity within the new organization, and also the strong interdisciplinary and cross-faculty nature of the centre.
