Dell has created a special research computing cluster to go along with the new high performance computing and collaboration cloud used for identifying targeted treatments for pediatric cancer patients. Dell donated the computing cluster to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) who is planning on the world’s first precision medicine clinical trial for pediatric cancer.
The technology will allow researchers to target and identify fast-track treatments based on children’s individual tumors. The technology from Dell is the foundation of the research effort, as trial and error treatments of this magnitude were not possible using existing data bases and computing clusters.
Oncologists from the Neuroblastoma and Medulloblastoma Translational Research Consortium (NMTRC) and biomedical researchers from TGen will be able to analyze comprehensively a patient’s tumor RNA profile in one day versus the seven days which has commonly been required. Because the trials will take place at eleven different medical centers, the new medical cloud and research cluster will allow instant access to vital data and medical records rather than experiencing the typical delay caused by sending data via express mail.
James Coffin, Ph.D., vice president and general manager of Dell Healthcare and Life Sciences comments on the new research effort:
“There is no time to waste for children and families battling aggressive and deadly cancers like neuroblastoma,”
“That’s why Dell is focused on driving results faster—faster than our initial projections–for TGen and NMTRC so that they accelerate time-to-targeted treatment for children participating in the clinical trial and can open participation to more children over time.”
Giselle Sholler, Co-Director of the Pediatric Oncology Translational Research Program at the Van Andel Institute comments on Dell’s contribution to the research effort:
“On behalf of the NMTRC, we are incredibly thankful for Dell’s support and expertise to help in the care of our patients,”
Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen’s President and Research Director also comments on Dell’s contribution:
“The collaborative model behind this conference is a great example of how through partnerships we can positively move research and treatment forward at a pace not seen before.”
Dell also recently contributed $100,000 to the Ronald McDonald House Charities to help support families staying away from home for cancer treatments.
Ann Jerome, chief operating officer of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Austin and Central Texas comments on Dell’s contribution:
“Dell has proven itself to be a company which is dedicated to the health and wellness of the communities in which they live and operate,”