Genetic, Biomarker and Biospecimen Core

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Project Summary – Genetics, Biomarker, and Biospecimen Core (GBBC) The Indiana Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (IADRC) has a strong history of innovative research in molecular and imaging genomics and will continue to focus on the role of genetics and other types of biomarkers as predictors of clinical trajectories among the broader group of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias, as well as those in preclinical and prodromal stages, such as subjective cognitive decline (SCI) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The Genetics, Biomarker and Biospecimen Core (GBBC) plays a central role in supporting this overall focus through the collection of uniform biospecimens, coordination of genetic data and generation of blood-based biomarkers. The GBBC also supports multiple national efforts through the broad sharing of specimens and data. The GBBC leverages the unique patient populations and genomics resources at Indiana University School of Medicine to support each Core as well as the overall goals of the IADRC. The GBBC fosters new research directions through the common banking of samples from diverse research groups. These samples are then available to address research questions that are central to the interests of the IADRC. In addition, these samples are available for collaborative studies, thereby enhancing the power of all ADRC studies focused on disease susceptibility, onset and progression. In this application, the GBBC will expand its scope to also support functional studies through the targeted development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The GBBC will leverage both the IUSM-JAX-Pitt MODEL-AD Center, whose goal is to develop, characterize and test therapeutic strategies in mouse models of AD and the IUSM-Purdue TREAT AD Center, whose goal is to integrate sophisticated capabilities for early drug discovery, to contribute to a broader study of AD target hypotheses (beyond Aβ) to generate new classes of potential therapeutics. The IADRC GBBC proposes the following specific aims: 1. Obtain longitudinal biospecimen samples from all subjects seen in the Clinical Core and support local and national research studies. 2. Obtain biomarker data to support ongoing studies of cognitive impairment and dementia. 3. Establish iPSCs from select IADRC participants to support local research studies. 4. Provide education in the areas of genetics and biomarkers.