Stanford Genome Technology Center Powered by NetApp

Gastric cancer is the number two cancer killer worldwide and one of the top cancer killers in the U.S., but gastric cancer research gets the least federal funding of any type of cancer research. According to a CBS News analysis of data released by the American Cancer Society, for every cancer-related death in the U.S., only $1,168 federal research dollars are spent on gastric cancer, versus $18,870 for cancer of the cervix and $14,095 for breast cancer.(CBS Evening News, ‘The Disparity in Cancer Research Funding Cancer Is Down Overall, But Some of the Fastest-Growing Types Are Getting the Least Attention,’ Jonathan LaPook, May 27, 2009.)

Gastric cancer, also called stomach cancer,
begins when cells in the stomach become abnormal
and grow uncontrollably.

To address the significant need for gastric cancer research, NetApp, Inc. and Stanford Genome Technology Center are building the country’s first comprehensive gastric cancer registry powered by NetApp’ storage technology. NetApp donated more than $600,000 in hardware, software, and services to the Stanford Genome Technology Center on behalf of the Gastric Cancer Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people fight gastric cancer.

The Gastric Cancer Fund is working with the Stanford Comprehensive Cancer Center and Stanford Genome Technology Center to build a comprehensive gastric cancer registry to aggregate all pertinent clinical and genetic data on gastric cancer patients and serve as a resource in developing strategies for this cancer’s detection, treatment, and prevention. The registry leverages a high-performance computing system which will be integrated into state-of-the-art genomic DNA sequencing of gastric cancer tumors and patient DNA samples to better understand the genetic make-up of the gastric cancer cell. Cancer genome DNA sequencing generates enormous amounts of data and requires a high-performance and easy-to-manage data storage system to accelerate the research process.

"NetApp technology will help us to advance research in gastric cancer by allowing us to sequence gastric cancer genomes and manipulate the vast amounts of DNA sequence data generated at a level unachievable just a few years ago," said Dr. James Ford, medical oncologist and geneticist at Stanford University Medical Center. "The dramatic improvement in performance and management capabilities has allowed our scientists to optimize our research processes and will accelerate our quest to improve the detection, treatment, and prevention of gastric cancer."

NetApp donated a FAS3070 data storage system to support the Stanford Genome Technology Center’s research. The system includes the NetApp Data ONTAP 8.0 operating system, which is one of a few select file systems that can handle the large throughput requirements for supporting genomic sequencing. NetApp is also providing complimentary professional services to help the Stanford Genome Technology Center rearchitect the way it does sequencing.

The Gastric Cancer Fund was founded by J. P. Gallagher, a gastric cancer survivor and NetApp employee, in March 2009. Realizing Stanford Genome Technology Center’s need for more efficient storage to help solve complicated scientific problems more quickly, Gallagher and NetApp sprang into action.

"We are pleased to support the Stanford Genome Technology Center and the Gastric Cancer Fund in this critical endeavor," said Rob Salmon, executive vice president, Field Operations, NetApp. "At NetApp we are passionate about being a great place to work, and strive to make a positive impact on our communities and support causes that are important to our employees."