Case Study: Van Andel Research Institute achieves optimized HPC pipeline and scalable 2PB storage for accelerated discoveries with DataDirect Networks

Driving Research Discoveries And New Drug Therapies With End-to-End Solution

Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) is a Michigan-based biomedical research and education center focused on the molecular and epigenetic origins of cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases. Its labs generate massive datasets from molecular dynamics simulations and new cryo‑EM microscopes, exposing fragmented, costly storage silos that could not scale or protect instrument and research data as demands—measured in tens of terabytes per project—rapidly increased.

VARI deployed DataDirect Networks’ GS7K parallel file appliance (GRIDScaler/Spectrum Scale) and WOS object storage in a hybrid on‑prem/cloud architecture to centralize, accelerate and tier data. The solution delivered fast access to multi‑petabyte capacity (2PB initially with seamless scalability), simplified archiving and sharing, supported concurrent cryo‑EM and sequencing workflows, and produced projected savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars while enabling faster discoveries and improved collaboration.

Van Andel Research Institute

Zachary Ramjan

Research Computing Architect