The Center for Research in Advanced Computing Systems (CRACS) is a new research unit recently proposed to the Portuguese National Science Foundation (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia). CRACS is partially supported by the University of Porto, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Computer Science (UP/FCUP/DCC), where it is located. CRACS is associated with the INESC-Porto Associated Laboratory - Institute for Systems and Computer Engineering of Porto. CRACS aims to be actively involved in fundamental and applied research in scalable computing both at national and international level; to foster training of young researchers both at post-graduate and post-doctoral level; and to actively establish partnerships with companies to promote and disseminate research results. The research team is composed by around 20 researchers, of which 10 hold a PhD degree.

The research directions pursued by CRACS encompass a broad number of issues related to scalable computing as listed next:

1. High-level Programming Languages
   •    Implementation of Logic Programming Systems
   •    Programming Languages for Mobile Computing and Sensor Networks
2. Parallel and Distributed Computing
   •    Parallel Logic Programming and Inductive Logic Programming systems
   •    Grid Computing
   •    Middleware Infrastructures
   •    Performance Evaluation
3. Information Mining 
   • Machine Learning and Discovery
     •    Inductive Logic Programming
     •    Statistical Relational Learning
     •    Ubiquitous Data Streams
     •    Biologically Inspired Computing
   • Applications
     •    Pattern Discovery in Genomics and Proteomics
     •    Analysis of Gene Expression Data
     •    Understanding Cellular Pathways
     •    Clinical Analysis
     •    Intrusion Detection Systems
     •    SPAM Classification
4. Web-Based Systems
   •    Semantic Digital Libraries
   •    e-Learning Environments and Tools
   •    Service Oriented Architectures and Open Data