Administrative Core

ABSTRACT - ADMINISTRATIVE CORE The overarching framework for this MIT/DFCI Center for Systems Biology of Glioblastoma is to use systems biology to define the dynamic evolution of the tumor-microenvironment interface, focusing on the development of symbiotic relationships between tumor cells and neurons and tumor cells and immune cells, with the ultimate goal of using this systems-level molecular characterization to define novel therapeutic strategies to abrogate tumor progression and overcome therapeutic resistance in brain tumors. While this CSBC Center is focused on defining the networks and pathways regulating progression, invasion, and immunosuppression in brain tumors, these issues are highly relevant for most solid tumors, including some of the most aggressive tumor types. Thus, we envision this CSBC will serve as a nexus for collaborations focused on this topic, and one of the key functions of the Administrative Core will be to actively cultivate these collaborations. These activities will extend both to collaborations between institutions involved in the MIT/DFCI CSBC and collaborations across the U54 and U01 holders within the CSBC network. The central work for this CSBC Center revolves around extensive analysis of bio-specimens that are created by the Biospecimens Core and shared between Projects 1 and 2. The Analytical Core provides ultra-deep multi-‘omic characterization of biospecimens and other samples, providing data to both Projects that can then be modeled within each project and across both projects. This highly integrated analysis of biospecimens will be actively managed by the Administrative Core to ensure a smooth experimental flow. Finally, this Core will organize and manage the activities of the Center Advisory Committee, the external advisory board, and interactions with NCI staff.