The ShEEP request for NanoString GeoMx Digital Spatial Profiling and nCounter MAX Complete System

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This ShEEP application requested funds to purchase a complete system of NanoString GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiling and nCounter® MAX that will be used to support VA research at the Central Virginia VA Health Care System. Nine major VA-funded investigators, including Drs. Zhou, Hylemon, Patel, Wang, Bajaj, Ren, Pandak, Gartenhaus, and Ghosh require this equipment to measure mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA and protein expression in cells, fresh or frozen tissues, serum and bile for their funded VA Merit Awards and NIH grants. The requested NanoString’s GeoMx ® Digital Spatial Profiling technology can detect and quantify proteins and RNA at significantly higher plex with spatial resolution using antibodies or RNA probes conjugated to photo-cleavable DNA oligos that are quantified ex situ with nCounter® MAX readout from specific regions of interest (ROI) on Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) or Fresh Frozen tissue. Variable ROI selection permits the profiling of 700-μm diameter areas down to single cells (10- µm). No secondary antibodies or amplification reagents are required. Readout of the GeoMx® Digital Spatial Profiler is performed by the fully automated and easy-to-use nCounter® MAX Analysis System. The nCounter® MAX provides everything needed to cost-effectively complete projects in less than 24 hours. More accurate, reproducible and highly multiplexed than qPCR and simpler, quicker and more cost-effective than NGS, the nCounter® MAX allows for digital examination of multiple pathways in a single tube in an extraction-free workflow requiring only 15 minutes of hands-on time. This allows the Core facility to accelerate research by spending less time on sample prep and performing self-driven, simple, and rapid data analysis using the open use nSolver® Analysis Software, a great tool for collaborative work. The intuitive workflow with only fifteen minutes of hands-on time from sample to data. Separate Digital Analyzer and Prep Station units help eliminate bottlenecks in sample processing and data collection. No need for a specialized Bioinformaticist. Results generated as direct digital counts and reported in a standard CSV file that can be imported into any favorite application or use the included nSolver® Analysis Software. An enterprise software package is included for laboratories that require enhanced security. Control user access, automate data flow and generate audit logs. Currently, no similar equipment is available at our VA Research facility. The investigators are relying on outside contract services, which are not only costly and time-consuming but also require Bioinformatics’ support. Given the critical role of the molecular changes (RNA, DNA, miRNA and protein expression) in biological processes throughout development and disease, this equipment would allow our investigators to facilitate existing studies and pursue unexplored areas of research with efficiency and accuracy that could not be achieved by the current instrumentation in the research facility. Therefore, we request funds from ShEEP to purchase this system for use in our ongoing VA-funded studies related to metabolic liver diseases that are target areas of the VA research mission. Acquisition of this state-of-the-art system will significantly expand our Core capacity for both basic research, translational and clinical studies and promote collaborations between VA-funded basic research scientists and physician-scientists. Furthermore, it will provide an excellent platform for supporting junior investigators to generate solid preliminary data for competing for external grants. The successful completion of these VA-funded research will not only benefit US Veterans health care but also benefit all Americans.