Experimental and Computational Genomics

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Experimental and Computational Genomics (ECGC) Shared Resource (SR) integrates all of the cancer genomics services in the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center (SKCCC). The primary mission of the SR is to allow SKCCC investigators to harness the ongoing revolution in cancer genomics to accelerate their basic discoveries and translational research. The ECGC SR streamlined services that were previously offered through three separate SRs: Array, Next-Generation Sequencing and Bioinformatics. The current structure formalizes a long-standing commitment to integrate computing resources, hiring and educational activities for the common good of the SKCCC. The SR streamlined access to ECGC technologies and expertise, and enhanced opportunities for didactic and hands-on education in the experimental and computational aspects of cancer genomics. The immense laboratory and analytical expertise brought together in the newly integrated cross-disciplinary SR is now available to all SKCCC investigators. The full suite of services provided by this SR are not available elsewhere. The ECGC SR has developed a three-tiered approach to streamline effective project delivery. This SR is led by faculty directors Leslie Cope, Ph.D.; Sarah Wheelan, M.D., Ph.D.; and Srinavasan Yegnasubramanian, M.D., Ph.D., who bring together multidisciplinary expertise in genomics technologies, computational biology and biostatistics/bioinformatics. Project management and day-to-day operations are overseen by Kornel Schuebel, Ph.D., on the lab side and by Yan Zhang, Ph.D., a new recruit, on the computational side, who supervise all staff members. The ECGC SR provides access to and education in state-of-the-art, next-generation sequencing, microarray technologies and analytical workflows for probing genomic alterations, cancer epigenomics, transcriptomics and metagenomics. For each project, the SR uses a multidisciplinary clinical model to establish and execute an experimental and analytical plan, first meeting with each investigator and then helping them through all aspects of their genomics experiments, including experimental design, high-throughput microarray or next-generation sequencing workflows, and computational/bioinformatics data analysis. Additionally, the SR provides extensive educational resources, including short courses, workshops and symposia, so that investigators can gain the skills they need to fully understand and utilize the data and analyses generated. The success of the ECGC SR is evidenced by the high level of usage across all Programs and the cited support in a large number of impactful publications, national/international conference abstracts and successful grant applications. SKCCC Managed Shared Resource Reporting Period: January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020