Linux NetworX Cluster aids BioCryst in developing innovative treatments for diseaseSalt Lake City 09 October 2001 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals has selected Linux NetworX, a provider of powerful and easy-to-manage cluster computing solutions, and is now using a Linux NetworX Evolocity cluster to aid in creating pharmaceuticals for the treatment of human disease and illness such as influenza and hepatitis C.
Implementing an innovative drug discovery approach, scientists at BioCryst create synthetic small-molecule inhibitors, atom by atom, to bind with specific disease-causing proteins or targets. By identifying the target protein in advance and by discovering the chemical and molecular structure of the protein, scientists believe it is possible to design a more optimal drug to interact with
the protein.
"The Evolocity system from Linux NetworX speeds the rate at which BioCryst scientists are able to design and develop comprehensive compound libraries and databases of potential targets for their drug discovery efforts", stated Shane Hiett, director of information technology for BioCryst. "Not only does the Linux NetworX cluster technology fit our needs, but the ClusterWorX management software helps us gain control of cluster administration and ensure cluster
health."
The massive amount of data computation inherent in drug design typically requires the power of a supercomputer-class system. Cluster technology is a method of linking multiple computers, or compute nodes, together to form a powerful, unified system. Linux NetworX clusters can match the performance of traditional supercomputers for a fraction of the cost.
BioCryst's new Evolocity cluster includes 32 Pentium III 933 MHz processors, with 16 GB of memory and a 10/100 Ethernet network. Linux NetworX configured the cluster to handle complex computer modelling applications, such as X-ray crystallography and combinatorial chemistry. BioCryst utilises the Linux NetworX ClusterWorX management software and signed an on-going service agreement as well.
"Linux NetworX is an excellent choice for biotechnology organisations demanding powerful and reliable high performance computing Linux clusters", stated Clark Roundy, vice president of marketing for Linux NetworX. "We are pleased to see companies like BioCryst rely on our technologies to enhance their capabilities."
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