Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core (BBC)

Project Summary Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core (Shared Resource) The goal of the Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core (BBC) is to improve cancer research in the organizational catchment areas in Philadelphia, New Jersey and New York City by providing expertise in experimental design, biostatistics, bioinformatics, genomics, clinical cancer genetics, mixed methods research, machine learning and artificial intelligence. BBC members were selected based on their substantial expertise in quantitative science, qualitative research, high performance computing and software development, laboratory investigations and clinical cancer genetics. Its members provide the capacity to create innovative methods and systems to address new problems and technologies that surface in a rapidly changing scientific environment. BBC activities will leverage the collaborations and tools developed during the current funding cycle to accelerate future, high-quality cancer research throughout the TUFCCC/HC Cancer Partnership. This highly interactive Core will play fundamental roles in all phases of study design/execution, and all Partnership projects and cores will interact with the BBC. The specific goals of the Biostatistics and Biostatistics Core are to: (1) Provide expert consultation in the rigorous design of experiments and studies, including research proposal development. (2) Support U54-supported research by analyzing study results with appropriate quantitative, mixed methods, and computing approaches developed in-house or current best practices in the field. Assist investigators with the interpretation and presentation of results, and the writing of statistical and bioinformatics components of manuscripts. (3) Develop novel Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence (ML/AI) algorithms to facilitate cancer research by improving knowledge extraction from multi-omic data resources. Provide training in the latest ML/AI research tools for cancer applications. (4) Provide expert clinical cancer genetics advice, and cost-effective, high-throughput genomic and epigenetic services to meet the critical molecular laboratory needs of the proposed research projects as well as future U54-supported investigations. Maintain the computational infrastructure for the collection, storage and analysis of data generated by U54-supported investigations. By providing expansive expertise, and informatics and laboratory tools, the BBC will support the Partnership’s mission of advancing cancer research, education, and outreach and enabling the careers of investigators and trainees.