UNCW collaborating on new biological research project

WILMINGTON — UNCW will be part of a large national initiative to improve biological research methods. The project is called iPlant Collaborative.

It will be funded by a $50 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Its purpose is to build a social networking database so scientists of all disciplines can communicate effectively.

UNCW biology professor Ann Stapleton is working on the project. She says improving communication between scientists could lead to major scientific break-throughs.

Stapleton said, “From my point of view I think it’s a real shame that we have all this information and we don’t use it well. And I want to be a part of, which is why I got involved in this in the first place, of really making sure we can deliver efficient use of information.”

Stapleton was brought on to help design the social networking system. The University of Arizona is leading the project.