Genomics Shared Resource

University Of Rochester, Rochester NY

Investigators

Abstract

GENOMICS SHARED RESOURCE: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Genomics Shared Resource (GSR) supports Wilmot Cancer Institute (Wilmot) investigators by providing efficient, high-quality, cost-effective access to high-throughput screening and genomics technologies for studying gene structure and function. The GSR provides a wide spectrum of services and resources that enable access to state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology and methodology for genome-related cancer research. Services and resources provided by the GSR include: 1) single-cell and spatial genomics; 2) epigenomics; 3) DNA sequencing (whole genome, exome, and targeted resequencing); 4) transcriptomics; and 5) functional genomics. In addition, the GSR collaborates with the Wilmot Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Shared Resource (BBSR) to provide integrated computational support, including basic data processing, applied bioinformatics, and access to software tools (e.g., deep learning/AI) to support Wilmot investigator projects. The GSR is led by John M. Ashton, PhD, MBA (GEM), associate professor of Biomedical Genetics. He has expertise in cancer biology, gene modulation, genomics, and high-throughput screening modalities. Ashton is assisted by scientists specializing in assay and technology development. Significant institutional support allows continued GSR investment to timely upgrades of instrumentation and service offerings, thus providing sustained access to state-of-the-art and emerging technologies. The GSR has a well-developed cooperative administrative structure that oversees its activities and ensures timely access and affordable pricing for Wilmot members. All GSR activities are data-intensive, requiring close interaction with high-performance computing infrastructure and the BBSR to meet the needs of Wilmot investigators, from project inception through manuscript and grant submission. The GSR is utilized by all Wilmot research programs, with more than 50% of Wilmot membership using GSR services and resources since 2019. Moreover, since 2019, the GSR has supported more than 100 peer-reviewed publications (38% high impact), of which 10% were co-authored by GSR personnel; and assisted with 103 grant proposals (76 R01, 12 F31, 3 DOD, 3 P30, 3 K08, 2 R25, 1 F99/K00, 1 R21, and 1 R50) submitted by Wilmot investigators or their mentees. Moving forward, the GSR will be guided by the Wilmot strategic plan with a focus on novel integrated multiomic sequencing technology and methodology. The GSR is a key stakeholder in the development of a Wilmot-led hybrid cloud computing initiative that will enable Wilmot investigators to process and relate high-throughput sequencing datasets to clinical variables, using custom bioinformatics pipelines created by personnel from the GSR and the BBSR.