Our MissionUnderstanding nature's mute but elegant language of living cells is the quest of modern molecular biology. From an alphabet of only four letters representing the chemical subunits of DNA emerges a syntax of life processes whose most complex expression is man. The unraveling and use of this "alphabet" to form new "words and phrases" is a central focus of the field of molecular biology. The staggering volume of molecular data and its cryptic and subtle patterns have led to an absolute requirement for computerized databases and analysis tools. The challenge is in finding new approaches to deal with the volume and complexity of data and in providing researchers with better access to analysis and computing tools to advance understanding of our genetic legacy and its role in health and disease. National Center for Biotechnology InformationNCBI_4958036e-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2aNCBI is a national resource for molecular biology information. The late Senator Claude Pepper recognized the importance of computerized information processing methods for the conduct of biomedical research and sponsored legislation that established the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) on November 4, 1988, as a division of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NLM was chosen for its experience in creating and maintaining biomedical databases, and because as part of NIH, it could establish an intramural research program in computational molecular biology. The collective research components of NIH make up the largest biomedical research facility in the world.National Library of Medicine (NLM)National Institutes of Health (NIH)_49580508-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2aTo develop new information technologies to aid in the understanding of fundamental molecular and genetic processes that control health and disease._495805e4-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2aAutomated SystemsCreate automated systems for storing and analyzing knowledge about molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics._49580670-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a1_495806fc-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2aDatabases and SoftwareFacilitate the use of databases and software by the research and medical community._4958077e-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2aDatabases and SoftwareDevelop, distribute, support, and coordinate access to a variety of databases and software for the scientific and medical communities._49580814-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a2.1StandardsDevelop and promote standards for databases, data deposition and exchange, and biological nomenclature._495808aa-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a2.2Biotechnology InformationCoordinate efforts to gather biotechnology information both nationally and internationally._4958094a-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a3CollaborationMaintain collaborations with several NIH institutes, academia, industry, and other governmental agencies._495809ea-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a3.1NIH InstitutesAcademiaIndustryOther Governmental AgenciesMeetings, Workshops, and LecturesFoster scientific communication by sponsoring meetings, workshops, and lecture series._49580a94-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a3.2ResearchPerform research into advanced methods of computer-based information processing for analyzing the structure and function of biologically important molecules._49580b48-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a4Fundamental ResearchConduct research on fundamental biomedical problems at the molecular level using mathematical and computational methods_49580c06-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a4.1TrainingSupport training on basic and applied research in computational biology for postdoctoral fellows through the NIH Intramural Research Program._49580cc4-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a4.2Informatics Research and TrainingEngages members of the international scientific community in informatics research and training through the Scientific Visitors Program._49580d8c-572d-11df-9f98-f3567a64ea2a4.3International Scientific Community2004-05-212010-05-03http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/About/glance/ourmission.htmlOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net