Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core Facility

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Project Summary There are many challenges to securing significant funding from federal agencies, particularly for junior faculty members. A major obstacle for translational and pre-clinical researchers is a lack of access to comprehensive data analysis support. In Phase I of the COBRE Center for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Strategies in Pancreatic Cancer (CDTSPC), the Biostatistics Core was established to serve as a networking, training, and consulting resource for junior faculty conducting research on pancreatic cancer, as well as for other scholars on campus seeking to form collaborative partnerships with data scientists. In the Phase II continuation of this project, the (newly re-named) Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core (B2C) will continue to play an integral role in the CDTSPC by providing high-quality, comprehensive study design and data analysis to all researchers of the CDTSPC and North Dakota State University. Core personnel will assist CDTSPC investigators with all statistical aspects of their translational and pre-clinical pancreatic cancer research projects in all stages of the process, increasing the likelihood of CDTSPC researchers securing federally-funded research grants by ensuring properly designed and well-powered experiments. Securing major funding is essential for the career advancement of CDTSPC Junior Investigators and the Core, whose sustainability is realized through the receipt of competitive federal funding. As the only Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core specializing in pancreatic cancer research in the region, the B2C will also provide support for projects involving analysis beyond the traditional statistical techniques of the bench and clinical research into other emerging areas of “big data” research, including bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. For Phase II, the B2C Core aims are (1) to proactively assist in the statistical design and implementation of all types of research, with an emphasis on translational and pre-clinical pancreatic cancer research and (2) to assist in data analysis and reporting of post-experiment data. The B2C is uniquely positioned to facilitate interdisciplinary and multi-paradigmatic research. The B2C faculty members have a wide range of expertise in study design and data analysis methods and extensive experience in collaborating with researchers in pancreatic cancer and many other areas of research. Using this expertise, B2C staff will assist COBRE investigators with their projects, leading to advanced knowledge and treatment of pancreatic cancer, and will meet the crucial need of reliable data analysis support to researchers at NDSU.