Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics, College of Arts and Science

The Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics (CBFG), in Miami University's College of Arts and Science, is a state-of-the-art research and training facility available for all members of the university. The CBFG provides tools for preparing DNA samples for research and for determining the sequence of these DNA samples.

About the Center

The center, located in Pearson Hall, is available to any faculty, staff, and students at Miami University and is most heavily utilized by students in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry and Biochemistry, Geology, and Microbiology.

Although many faculty at Miami University utilize these tools provided by the CBFG, it is students that most often perform the daily work involved in this research. This includes both graduate and undergraduate students with a wide range of majors. Some projects even involve local high school students. Students can learn how to use some of the same high-tech equipment that is featured in popular TV programs, such as criminal investigation and medical dramas.

A graduate student conducts research in the CBFG.

Training in the CBFG supports a number of important programs at Miami University. These include the interdisciplinary Cell, Molecular, and Structural Biology (CMSB) and the Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology (EEEB) graduate level programs in partnership with several undergraduate specific programs, such as the Undergraduate Summer Scholars (USS), Howard Hughes Summer Internships (HHSI), Doctoral-Undergraduate Opportunities for Scholarship (DUOS), Undergraduate Research Award Program (URA), and the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program funded by the National Science Foundation.

The center provides students with training and resources to learn the most contemporary techniques in genomics and bioinformatics. Training and hands-on experience is provided to all students whether they are experienced researchers or in their very first research experience. This level of hands-on experience and personal training is not often available at many larger undergraduate institutions.

A postdoctoral fellow conducts research in the CBFG.

Undergraduate and graduate students perform much of the work involved in the biotechnology research here in the Center for Bioinformatics and Functional Genomics. Sometimes even local high school students participate in CBFG projects. The center provides all of these students with training and resources to learn the most modern techniques in biotechnology.

The center also supports several local programs such as Butler Biotech where high school students from Butler County learn contemporary biotechnology applications.

The resources of the center focus mainly on DNA sequence information, which is central to all areas of biology and biochemistry. It is the sequence of nucleotide bases encoded in DNA that defines every living organism. The CBFG provides tools for preparing DNA samples for research and for determining the sequence of these DNA samples.

CBFG provides students with hands-on training so that they can conduct their own research using instruments and software that undergraduates at larger universities would rarely see, let alone be able to use.

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Shavonne Ross (Class of 2012)

"In all, my experiences at Miami have just been mind-blowing. Some of the best memories I'll leave with involve all of the people I've grown close to over the years."

David Moulton (Class of 2012)

"With the CBFG as its own entity and staffed by professionals, it provides personal access to many high-tech machines and assistance from knowledgeable and willing faculty and staff. These qualities have greatly facilitated the progress of my research."

Nicole Adams (Class of 2011)

"Miami offers diverse opportunities that are comparable to a big state school and the intimate feel of a small school. In addition, the university provides an excellent atmosphere that gets young students excited and involved in research."