Translational Science Laboratory Shared Resource

The Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) Translational Science Laboratory (TSL), a new shared resource as of 2017, works closely with clinical, translational, and basic scientists to drive the development and use of novel biomarker assays to provide the most innovative discovery, pre-clinical and correlative science studies. The mission of TSL is to facilitate the translation of basic science research to the clinical setting and vice versa to improve diagnosis and treatment strategies for cancer patients. Moreover, TSL provides expertise in drug development and helps basic and translational scientists explore pre-clinical hypotheses and conceive and execute strategic, correlative science plans for clinical trials at HCC. Specifically, TSL aims to: 1) provide high-quality molecular services, providing timely NGS-based library preparation dependably and cost-effectively; 2) perform consulting on high-dimensional transcriptomic and protein profiling analyses, the design and execution of single-cell/nuclei sequencing, bulk NGS, NanoString nCounter analysis, spatial transcript/protein profiling experiments, and quantitative multiplex immunofluorescence; and 3) offer method development, training, and education. Directed by Jian Ouang, PhD (CBI), and staffed by four technical experts, this facility provides extensive molecular genomics/transcriptomics and histology/IHC/multiplex immunofluorescence capabilities, an active educational platform, and the development of new methodologies, plus assists in data analysis and interpretation for publication. Services offered through TSL include: consultation, training, education, data analyses, preparation of data for publication, and a full suite of molecular services, including automated nucleic acid (RNA, DNA, miRNA) extraction from various sources (whole blood, tissue, cells, FFPE tissue), nucleic acid quantification and QC, DNA shearing, droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), next-generation sequencing library preparation (bulk RNAseq, ChIPseq, whole genome methylation-seq, ATACseq, miRNAseq, targeted capture), single-cell/single-nuclei RNAseq and Multiome (single-nuclei RNAseq+ATACseq), NanoString bulk targeted transcriptomic analysis and GeoMx digital spatial profiling of both protein and RNA. The ability to provide high-dimensional RNA and protein analysis at the single-cell level has proven to be a powerful discovery tool. Forty-seven (47) HCC members used TSL during the current cycle, providing key data contributing to four successful NCI-funded grant applications and 16 peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals, including Sci Immunol, Cell Reports, Cell Reports Med, Cell Death and Differ and Nat Commun. In summary, the TSL Shared Resource advances, supports, and provides critical emerging molecular and spatial research tools and methodologies to the HCC community.