Enabling Distributed Graphics Supercomputing for Neuroinformatics

University Of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA

Investigators

Abstract

A grant has been awarded to Dr. Arthur W. Toga at the Laboratory of Neuro-Imaging (LONI) of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to enhance the graphic and compute capabilities of an existing supercomputer for distributed use in neuroinformatics. Unabated advancements in imaging technology today has provided researchers with the ability to produce very high-resolution, time-varying, multidimensional data sets of the structural and functional development of the dynamic human brain. The complexity of the new data, however, require immense computing power for effective analyzation and study. LONI and its collaborators will upgrade the facility's SGI Onyx2 supercomputer with additional graphics pipelines, computational nodes, and the incorporation of high speed networking equipment. The graphics pipelines will allow the visual interpretation of brain data and, in addition, drive a Data Immersive Visualization Environment (DIVE). The premise behind the DIVE is to provide investigators with the unique ability to visually step inside their data and analyze it in new, unexpected ways. The additional computational nodes will accelerate the speed of both interactive manipulation of multidimensional brain data sets and complex offline computations. The incorporation of high speed networking equipment will facilitate local and offsite network access to these computer resources and improve overall communication between the local, national, and international communities of neuroscientists. This instrumentation not only benefits ongoing research in brain development, heritability and function but because analysis and interpretation of multidimensional brain data is elevated to the next level, it will open the doors to new insights and better understanding of brain structure and function in health and disease.