Genomic Sciences Core

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The goal of the Genomic Sciences Core (GSC) is to provide researchers in aging and geroscience across the country with access to state-of-the-art genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic analyses targeted to biology of aging research questions and that are not typically provided by institutional cores. Specifically, the GSC will offer services in the analysis of mitochondrial genomes, DNA modifications (methylation/hydroxymethylation), and single-cell transcriptomics. In coordination with the GeroInformatics Core, these services will take investigator-submitted samples from data generation to analysis and interpretation. In the previous cycle, our epigenomic and mitochondrial genomic services were widely used and will continue to be offered. New services will integrate whole genome epigenomic analyses, differentiation of methylation from hydroxymethylation and a suite of single cell RNA-Seq services. The rationale for focusing services in these areas are: 1) Accumulation of mitochondrial DNA mutations/deletions and copy number changes are a central mechanistic hypothesis in mitochondrial dysfunction with aging. 2) Epigenetic mechanisms are a conserved, and potentially causative, factor in aging. Growing evidence demonstrates that not only does the epigenome change with aging, but anti- aging interventions can prevent age-related changes to the epigenome. 3) Modern molecular biology has opened a new door to understand cellular heterogeneity a research area at the heart of current geroscience research (e.g., cellular senescence). Single-cell transcriptomic approaches move past bulk RNA-Seq of whole tissues to individual cell types and sub-types. Central to the design of the GSC services are bioinformatic workflows to take investigators from sample to fully analyzed data. The GSC will have three aims: 1) Perform quantitatively precise DNA modification analyses, ranging from genome-wide to gene-specific using advanced epigenetic technologies, 2) Measure mitochondrial genome heteroplasmy and copy number for comprehensive variant analysis and absolute quantitation, and 3) Single-cell transcriptomics for analysis of cellular heterogeneity. GSC services are designed such that aging research investigators can take advantage of specific analyses or whole workflows as meets their experimental needs, and almost all services can be performed on stored nucleic acids/cells. The Genomic Sciences Core has developed a set of tools highly relevant to aging research that are not widely available to investigators, either in their own laboratories or through institutional core facilities, both in terms of instrumentation and expertise, meeting a need for a resource provider in the field. Furthermore, the interaction with the GeroInformatics Core provides a workflow where not only can geroscience investigators from across the country have data generated by the GSC but it is analyzed into an investigator-usable form.