Researchers building cybergrid to test spread of pandemic | 03.30.2007 | 05:35:41 | Views: 6018 | ID: March 30 '07: Funding from the National Science Foundation will go to help a joint project designed to simulate the spread of infectious diseases through the use of the TeraGrid, Carolina Newswire reported. The grid, the world's largest cyber-infrastructure, will be monitored by RTI International and the Virginia Biometrics Institute at Virginia Tech. The project is called Midas and it will run for two years. RTI, a research institute, and Virginia Tech researchers will use the information they obtain from the simulated models to "develop new methods for mapping large-scale disease models," the press release announced. "Using the TeraGrid, the project will develop computational models that represent the interactions between infectious disease agents and their hosts, the spread of disease, prediction systems as well as the effectiveness of response strategies," the press release continued. Midas researchers will use nine supercomputer centers to help complete the project. Doug Roberts, an official from RTI said, "By using the TeraGrid, we will be able to run simulations of the entire population of the United States, which will provide public and emergency officials with more accurate information to help them prepare for potential disease pandemics."
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