Apple Research & Technology Support

ARTS Laureate: EPFL Gene Research Powered by Apple

Gene research designed to improve our understanding of cancer and other diseases has become the first project to receive support from Apple’s pioneering Apple Research & Technology Support (ARTS) programme. The research project is based at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), one of Europe’s top science research institutions.

The ARTS programme will support the research team’s IT requirements for simulations to explore complex gene networks and circuitry, and trace its effects on diseases.

“Apple computers are ideal for people working in systems biology”, says Professor Felix Naef, from the Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), the EPFL faculty responsible for the gene research project. “The Mac platform is uniquely attractive in that it can manage the large datasets in different formats which we have to exchange efficiently on a daily basis”.

According to Professor Naef, computer simulations are increasingly critical to gene research and understanding cancer. “Many processes within connected networks of genes affect cancerous cells but their complexity lies beyond the grasp of our intuition”.

Technology Leader in Science Research

“High performance computing is now a requirement in many types of science inquiry, and a growing component in the funding of research”, adds Professor Giorgio Margaritondo, Vice President of Academic Affairs at EPFL. “Apple is a leader in supporting science research, and our researchers will have the chance to exploit its capabilities”.

Support from the ARTS programme will provide the project with US$30,000 worth of Apple equipment, which Professor Naef is planning to invest in Mac Pro computers and MacBook Pro notebooks.

“We need high performance, friendly and reliable computers. I grew up with Linux and UNIX. I like the power those systems provide. The great thing about Apple is that it has a UNIX foundation, but is also much more flexible, and provides fantastic tools”.

In addition to the serious task of research, Professor Naef and his team will also make the most of the Mac’s productivity and presentation applications. In particular, he can see potential for using Apple’s iChat video conferencing software to liase with research colleagues overseas. He hopes his project will bring Apple to the forefront of research in bioinformatics and systems biology.

Discounts and Other Benefits

The gene research project was selected by EPFL’s Research Commission as the most deserving project for support by Apple’s ARTS programme. It is the first of 15 Laureates to be awarded under the terms of the programme, in its first year of operation, to major research centres around Europe.

All EPFL ARTS candidates will qualify for discounts on Apple products and gain access to Apple’s systems engineers on a dedicated network, in order to obtain expert advice on technology issues.

Researchers will be able to collaborate and exchange information with their peers throughout Europe, and will get the opportunity to take part in the Apple Developer Connection (ADC) programme.