Bioinformatics Shared Resource

BIOINFORMATICS SHARED RESOURCE: ABSTRACT The Bioinformatics Shared Resource (BISR) provides comprehensive support to MCCCC members in study design, computational analysis, and other bioinformatics and computational biology activities. The support includes expert scientific consultation tailored to individual research needs, advanced multiomics analysis for processing and interpreting high-dimensional data, spatial analysis for both transcriptomic and proteomic datasets, machine learning, informatics support (in conjunction with the developing Data Science and Artificial Intelligence resource), and big data analysis methods. BISR also engages the MCCCC Cancer Individualized Precision Medicine Office to support the 2030 MCCCC vision to bring precision medicine to all cancer patients. BISR members demonstrate innovation and creativity in applying bioinformatics and computational biology techniques to MCCCC projects. Recently, Karla Ballman (ACTS, MCR) was named as the new BISR Director, with Yan Asmann (CII, MCF) named as the Co-director, alongside several other leaders. Ballman also serves as the Director of the Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR), reflecting the strong coordination and integration of quantitative support for the MCCCC. Specifically, closer integration of the BISR and BSR teams will lead to more cost-efficient and effective collaborations with MCCCC members. BISR experts support MCCCC investigators through three Specific Aims: Aim 1: Collaborate with MCCCC investigators, contributing expertise in study design, analysis, interpretation of results, and dissemination of findings. Aim 2: Implement, adapt, and develop bioinformatics and computational biology methods and novel workflows to meet the emerging needs of MCCCC investigators. Aim 3: Provide bioinformatics educational opportunities for MCCCC members and their trainees. BISR members are experts in scientific, technical, and operational fields, providing standard and custom analysis pipelines for various projects. They create robust information management systems and custom application programming to address unique research challenges. These services streamline data processing and analysis, facilitate efficient organization and management of research data, and equip researchers with the tools to tackle complex problems. The BISR provides a wide range of existing services and has the capability to expand to accommodate new technologies, supporting the diverse needs of MCCCC researchers. Member Utilization 2019-2023: 212 Total (16 CPCS, 25 REDI, 36 CGSM, 36 CII, 35 NTTM, 64 ACTS) Publication by Members: 224 total, 41 with Impact Factor >10