Core C-Research Computing, Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics

核心C-Abstract

Core C-Abstract The Molecular Center of Health and Disease (MCHD) will facilitate research under a central theme of molecular physiology to enhance the depth of education, mentorship, and training of researchers to apply omics technology and computational biology across the health-disease continuum. Research aimed at understanding genetic susceptibility and molecular mechanisms involved in disease onset has the potential to halt progression and return an individual to a healthier state. As advances in technology have allowed for insight into genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic complexity, the need to develop computational biology approaches to integrate and merge these omics datasets along with physiological data (in total systems biology) has become critical. In total, computational approaches applied to molecular, cellular, and overall pathophysiology associated with the health-disease continuum can provide important systems biology level information. The mission of the MCHD will be achieved through synergistic interaction across multiple components including Core A (administrative oversight, education and mentoring programs, and a pilot project program), two research cores, and three major project investigators to address diverse questions of health and disease using molecule and computational approaches. In particular, Core C- Research Computing, Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics will provide researchers access to high-performance research computing infrastructure, custom bioinformatics analysis pipelines and biostatistical support. Core C will leverage the comprehensive state-of-the-art omics data collection pipeline and mechanistic gene-editing and biological approaches from Core B to provide major project and pilot investigators unique insight into the health-disease continuum. Core C will build new computing infrastructure at the University, provide vital bioinformatics and computational biology analysis, facilitate a novel “Bioinformatics and Data Sciences Collaborative”, and leverage and expand current biostatistics services available through the School of Population Health. The objective of Core C is: (1) provide education and training opportunities for faculty, trainees, and students in research computing and computational biology approaches; (2) establish an innovative research computing infrastructure required for analyses of large omics datasets via standard and custom analyses pipelines to return biologically relevant analyses to MCHD investigators; (3) provide MCHD investigators access to biostatistical expertise and services for optimal experimental design, statistical analyses, and interpretation of findings; and (4) to seek continuous improvement in research computing infrastructure, services, and enhance analytical capabilities through implementation of new approaches, algorithms, and methodology to assist in the sustainability of the Core. In total, through close coordination with Core B, this core will establish, grow, and sustain infrastructure to enhance and build systems biology focused approaches to the health and disease continuum, bring together multidisciplinary expertise to support innovative extramural research applications of junior investigators, and collaboratively cultivate the success of the MCHD.