OCF draws big data sword in fight against infectious diseases

Integrator helps Public Health England analyse diseases' DNA

Integrator OCF has teamed up with Public Health England (PHE) to help it analyse the DNA of infectious diseases with the help of its big data and high-performance computing offering.

The reseller is using DataDirect Networks' storage systems tech alongside an existing high-performance server cluster which uses HP, IBM and open-source firms' technology.

PHE uses the solution to sequence and analyse DNA from a range of patients with infectious diseases to try to get a better idea of how to prevent their spread in future.

"It is used to assemble and analyse genetic information to provide accurate diagnostics and rapid identification of outbreaks, thereby helping patients and delivering public heath interventions more effectively," the reseller said.

The project forms part of the 100,000 Genome Project which was launched by prime minister David Cameron in 2012.

PHE's laboratories across England receive thousands of samples a week from patients with unidentified and potentially aggressive infections which it is able to analyse – with the help of the technology – in order to diagnose patents faster and more cost effectively.

OCF managing director Julian Fielden said the case is a prime example of the practical benefits of big data.

"The team at PHE realises the benefits of HPC and big data storage and is using both to set the standards for the rest of the world to follow," he said. "PHE is pioneering use of DNA bacterial sequence data to provide a public service. It's the first project of its type in the world."