title: Towards a bioinformatics network for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACBioNet).
abstract: Bioinformatics is increasingly recognised as a crucial field for research and development in the biological sciences, and forms an integral part of genomics, proteomics and modern biotechnology. Worldwide participation is important, and scientists in developing countries can contribute to this field. Regional networks for bioinformatics are highly beneficial for capacity strengthening and cooperation, and for establishing productive interactions between scientists in the fields of biological and informatics sciences. Such a network (LACBioNet) is being organised for Latin America and the Caribbean. Its immediate goals include the organisation and extension of nodes and services, information and communication, research and development in different specialty fields of bioinformatics, and training and human resource development.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Instituo Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. wdegrave@fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Wim M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Degrave
authors.forename: Reynaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alvarez
authors.forename: Julio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Collado-Vides
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nuñez
authors.forename: José Luis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ramirez
authors.forename: Oscar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Grau
mesh_terms: D017691:Caribbean Region; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007255:Information Services; D020407:Internet; D007843:Latin America; D008122:Local Area Networks; D013192:Staff Development