INDUSTRY

Department of Molecular Biology Displaces Dell, Turns to IBM for Crucial Technology -- Today at a press conference in New York City, IBM announced that Princeton University has implemented Linux on Power Architecture™ technology to support the Department of Molecular Biology’s global stem cell research database. Princeton University is driving stem cell research into areas of treating Alzheimer’s disease, spinal cord injury, diabetes, strokes and heart disease. Its results are shared with more than two dozen institutions across the globe. Originally running the Linux operating system on Dell servers, the Department sought to increase the speed, performance and reliability of its database and Web site. After an evaluation of Sun, Dell and IBM, the Department chose an IBM eServer™ p630 system powered by IBM’s POWER4+™ microprocessors running SUSE LINUX due to the enhanced speed, performance and reliability features of the IBM Power Architecture system. “Our department has been earning great results in stem cell research that we hope will eventually help in finding a cure for many of today’s diseases and ailments, but our technology lacked the power we needed to share and collaborate on those results globally,” said Dr. Douglas Welsh, Lecturer and Senior Professional Technical Staff Member, Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University. “IBM’s Power Architecture technology and leadership in 64-bit computing gave us a sophisticated computing platform that supported Linux in ways we never experienced before." In addition to supporting Linux on Power Architecture technology, Princeton University’s IBM eServer p630 system supports various customized biotechnology applications and databases, as well as key information sharing applications with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Princeton University has more than 250 graduate students, post doctoral students and faculty associated with the Department of Molecular Biology, focused on stem cell research, bioinformatics and gene expression analysis. IBM's Power Architecture technology is a leading industry solution for 64-bit applications. IBM's Power Architecture technology offers customers open, innovative technology solutions using either the AIX 5L™, OS/400® or Linux operating systems that complement the growing demand for 64-bit applications. In addition to being at the core of the powerful, industry leading IBM eServer systems, the Power Architecture technology can be found in Nintendo game consoles, Apple computers, and some of the world's most powerful supercomputers and storage systems.