Omics Core

Abstract: The primary function of OMICS Core (Core B) is to provide members of the University of Louisville Hepatobiology and Toxicology COBRE with the expertise, resources, and facilities needed for metabolomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic analyses of biological samples collected to study liver injury, nutrition, gut:liver interactions, and liver:environment/toxicant/drug interactions. Core B personnel will assist with the design of sample collection protocols, will drive the development and the execution of novel and robust chromatographic methods for sample separation and mass spectrometric methods for the analysis of proteins, peptides, and metabolites with a goal of providing a greater understanding of the evolution of molecular mechanisms that correlate with or participate in liver dysfunction. Core B will ensure uniformity and standardization in sample preparation, method development, instrument performance, data collection, data reporting, and data sharing. Core B endeavors to contribute to the overall success and utility of the COBRE and to enhance the infrastructure and the technical and academic capabilities of the institution as a whole. In addition to its function as a service core, Core B will also promote the education and training of the COBRE members and other biomedical investigators with regards to the state-of-the-art omics technologies; with particular attention to the COBRE junior investigators. Furthermore, Core B will become an independent and self-supporting entity using a set comprehensive approaches that have been already implemented and demonstrated their success in our Phase I COBRE. During the Hepatobiology and Toxicology COBRE Phase II period the goals of Core B will be addressed by the following Specific Aims: 1) To support current COBRE and UofL Health Science Center (HSC) projects. 2) To educate and train mentees and other investigators. 3) To develop new protocols and techniques. 4) To become self-sustaining feature of the COBRE and UofL HSC.