Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination Center for ADSP (ADSP-4C)

PROJECT SUMMARY Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has enormous physical, financial, and social consequences for patients and families, and its US prevalence will rise to ~12.7 million cases by 2050. Since 2012, the AD Sequencing Project (ADSP) has played a key role advancing AD genetics, specifically identifying mechanisms that will enhance diagnosis and drive effective AD therapies. Recent expansions to include projects focused on phenotype harmonization, functional genomics, and artificial intelligence/machine learning provide great potential for further advances, but also call for a refocusing and updating of ADSP structure and operations, which we will support as the Collaboration, Communication, and Coordination Center for ADSP (ADSP-4C). Our ADSP-4C brings together subject matter experts in AD/ADRD research, neuropathology, data infrastructure, cloud computing, genetic and phenotypic data management and analysis, statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology, bioethics, and consortium organization and governance to provide scientific and logistical support for the ADSP across three main areas. (1) For Collaborative Leadership and Strategic Planning, we will lead a collaborative reshaping of ADSP organization and governance to optimize productivity; establish new fora and projects to promote synergy and teamwork across ADSP components; strengthen partnerships with the global AD research community; and coordinate with data generators and repositories to improve the utility, accessibility, and interoperability of ADSP data and related resources. (2) For Administration, Coordination, and Dissemination, we will provide comprehensive administrative and logistical support for ADSP working groups and committees program-wide, establish an internal and public-facing ADSP website to support communications and outreach, build comprehensive reports and metrics to track program progress, and plan annual hybrid ADSP meetings. (3) For Education and Training, we will increase ADSP’s impact by expanding the pool of engaged scientists across career stage and discipline through developing and disseminating distance learning modules, engaging trainees and early stage investigators in a virtual training and mentorship cohort, and providing further education and training outreach at conferences and existing short courses. We will also provide support for small pilot projects to innovate approaches for integrating genetics, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and functional studies to accelerate AD research. By contributing in a number of key areas, and prioritizing Research Dissemination from all of them, our ADSP-4C will support the ADSP in its robust characterization of AD genetics, which is essential for a clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AD and ultimately the development of effective interventions and therapies.