From the about page:
More efficient use of the most relevant resources means quicker and more effective research. OpenHelix empowers researchers by
- providing a search portal to find the most relevant genomics resource and training on those resources.
- distributing extensive and effective tutorials and training materials on the most powerful and popular genomics resourcs.
- contracting with resource providers to provide comprehensive, long-term training and outreach programs.
If you are interested in learning the field of genomics research, other than by returning to graduate/medical school, this site will figure high on your list of resources.
It offers a very impressive gathering of both commercial and non-commercial resources under one roof.
I haven’t taken any of the tutorials produced by OpenHelix and so would appreciate comments from anyone who has.
Bioinformatics is an important subject area for topic maps for several reasons:
First, the long term (comparatively speaking) interest in the use of computers and the use in fact of computers in biology indicates there is a need for information for which other people will spend money. There is a key phrase in that sentence, “…for which other people will spend money.” You are already spending your time working on topic maps so it is important to identify other people who are willing to part with cash for your software or assistance. Bioinformatics is a field where that is already known to happen, other people spend their money on software or expertise.
Second, for all of the progress on identification issues in bioinformatics, any bioinformatics journal you pick up, will have references to the need for greater integration of biological resources. There is plenty of opportunity now and as far as anyone can tell, for many tomorrows to follow.
Third, for good or ill, any progress in the field attracts a disproportionate amount of coverage. The public rarely reads or sees coverage of discoveries being less than what was initially reported. And not only health professionals hear such news so it would be good PR for topic maps.