# Xenbase - Computation

> **NIH NIH P41** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2021 · $485,832

## Abstract

Component: COMPUTATION
PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of the Computation component is to keep Xenbase operational, reliable, and responsive,
to maintain and upgrade the hardware, infrastructure, software and systems necessary for peak
performance and to develop and support the proposed improvements described in other sections
of this application. Knowledgebases like Xenbase must integrate and process a diverse array of
data and provide users with tools and interfaces to query and explore its content. These are all
computational processes. In addition, Xenbase must interface with external databases and
resources (NCBI, the AGR, publishers) to synchronize content and to provide annotated Xenopus
data. Although invisible to the user, there is a considerable amount of computing that occurs
behind the scenes every time a researcher uses Xenbase. Xenbase is a complex computing
environment consisting of multiple, separate databases, many different software applications,
user and curator web interfaces, and many automated data exchange pipelines. To ensure
stability and enhance performance, tool sets are isolated on their own virtual machines (VMs) -
we currently run ~20 VMs in our private cloud - and we constantly monitor, test, maintain, and fix
bugs to keep it all running smoothly. Each time new software is implemented, we test it on isolated
VMs, then optimize and integrate it with existing systems. All of this activity is contained within
the Computation component and is paramount to achieving our overall project goals. In this
component, we describe the computing work needed to maintain current functionality, generate
custom content and the resources necessary to implement expansions and improvements over
the next award cycle.
Aim 1. Upgrade hardware, servers and software stack to increase capacity and expanded
functionalities.
Aim 2. Maintain and expand computation of Xenbase content.
Aim 3. Manage and monitor networking and systems

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10169896
- **Project number:** 2P41HD064556-11
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Aaron M Zorn
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $485,832
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2010-06-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10169896

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10169896, Xenbase - Computation (2P41HD064556-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10169896. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*