High-performance computing (HPC) has long been essential for complex research projects, but traditionally it was only accessible to a select group of institutions. Researchers without direct access to large on-premises clusters often faced long wait times and limited computing capacity. However, the rise of cloud-based HPC is transforming the research process, making it faster, more scalable, and more cost-effective.
At the AWS Summit Washington, DC 2025, Jianjun Xu, Principal Solution Architect at AWS Higher Education Research, emphasized how AWS cloud services are shortening the research lifecycle, particularly in healthcare. This transformation allows researchers to quickly process data, generate results, and accelerate scientific discovery.
AWS Offers Scalable HPC for Healthcare Innovation
Setting up an on-premises HPC cluster traditionally takes several months, often delaying critical research. Additionally, sourcing the latest hardware, especially GPUs, can be difficult. AWS eliminates these barriers by offering on-demand HPC resources, enabling researchers to access cutting-edge technology instantly.
AWS offers AWS Parallel Computing Service, allowing users to deploy a customized SLURM cluster in just 20 minutes, allowing researchers to configure processor types, manage node groups, and run containerized applications.
AWS ParallelCluster is an open-source solution that enables researchers to create and manage their own customized HPC environment, offering access to over 800 instance types and data management tools like Amazon FSx for Lustre and Amazon File Cache.
NIH Uses Cloud-Based HPC to Model Cardiovascular Proteins
One of the most impactful use cases comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, claiming 18.6 million lives in 2019. While medications like statins target cholesterol receptors, NIH researchers wanted to study the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles directly to uncover better treatment options.
NIH utilized cloud-based HPC and cryo-electron microscopy to model LDL particles, processing 35,000 video datasets totaling 17.5 terabytes. Advanced 2D and 3D systems were used to classify particles and study their binding to receptors.
A breakthrough in cloud-based therapies could lead to direct LDL particle therapies, providing a new approach to cardiovascular treatment, thanks to Amazon FSx for Lustre and powerful GPUs, according to the NIH Chief of the Structural Virology Section.
The Future of Healthcare Research Is in the Cloud
As demand grows for faster, more efficient medical research, cloud-based HPC is proving essential. By removing traditional barriers like infrastructure setup and hardware costs, AWS enables healthcare researchers to focus on what matters most—innovation and impact.
From scaling compute environments instantly to processing massive datasets with precision, AWS is reshaping the future of healthcare discovery through cloud-based HPC solutions.
