ACC is proud to be a partner with IBM in a unique project called the World Community Grid and encourages your participation. Since IBM created this opportunity a year and a half ago, more than 355,000 computing devices have contributed more than 46,000 YEARS of computing cycle time in support of several world wide research projects. The World Community Grid has been a major contributor to the Institute for Systems Biology in Seattle’s research on the human proteome as it relates to DNA mapping and the human genome project as well as the Scripps Institute’s Fight AIDS@Home project using computational methods to identify new drugs to stop the AIDS virus from growing. Another exciting research project is expected to be announced by the World Community Grid’s advisory committee and launched in mid-July.

ACC’s Technology Committee and Administrative Services Council have endorsed the World Community Grid, and encourage you to “donate” your idle computing time to benefit humanitarian medical research. While the World Community Grid is proven to be a safe and secure environment, IT recommends that users who access student or employee data not share their system with the project. Others are encouraged to download and install on their PC or on lab PCs a very small and easy to activate application located at http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org. Once installed, users should register themselves and join the ACC Team known as Austin Community College. Since October 2005, our ten member team has generated 345 days of computing power and computed 1,154 results.

“ACC faculty and staff are proud to be a part of the advanced research being performed by the World Community Grid to solve world wide epidemic and health problems. Our partnership with IBM in this endeavor is another example of how ACC works with local business to support the health and prosperity of our community and students”, said Bill Carter, ACC Associate Vice President of Information Technology.

So, please take a couple of minutes to download this software and help ACC contribute to possible cures for research and other scientific research. Let’s maximize our contributions to research through this unique marriage of technology innovation and volunteerism!