Core B: Translational, Cellular and Molecular Analysis

ABSTRACT – CELLULAR IMAGING AND GENOMICS CORE B Core B, the Cellular Genomics and Imaging Core (CGI), will provide centralized experimental processing services and primary data analysis for the Program Project Grant (PPG). The interactions between Projects 1, 2 and 3 primarily involve shared biospecimens and data; therefore, the PPG relies on the CGI to coordinate: (1) Experimental and translational sample management. (2) Cellular genomics that includes RNA-seq, single cell genomics and spatial transcriptomics. (3) Imaging studies for cellular characterization of primary tissue cultures. (4) Sample, molecular and genomic data management. The CGI core enables the PPG to leverage the combined expertise of molecular technologists, cellular biologists, imaging experts and informaticians to streamline data production. Biospecimens of human tissue biopsies and organoids will be tracked in a laboratory information management system (LIMS). These samples will be processed using standard operating protocols optimized by the CGI to facilitate reproducibility and consistency across all projects. These protocols will cover confocal microscopy imaging, RNA-seq, targeted DNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and single cell RNA sequencing. The CGI will produce a comprehensive landscape of the gastric microenvironment across a range of precancerous conditions and work in tandem with Core C for data analysis to further the PPG overall aims. The molecular, genomic and epigenetic characterization will allow investigators to conduct numerous studies on the drivers of gastric cancer and hypothesize methods for precision cancer interception.