Advanced Analytics Core

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ADVANCED ANALYTICS CORE PROJECT SUMMARY The Advanced Analytics (AA) Core provides two classes of advanced analytics services: Bulk/single cell genomics and EpCultures, which are 3D organoid or planar cultures derived from the intestines of human donors or model organisms. These services are sophisticated in nature, challenging and expensive for laboratories to independently perform, and require a high level of technical training. The AA Core has always focused on developing innovative practices to reduce barriers of entry to these cutting-edge technologies. . The AA Core continues to provide popular histology services, which are critical supporting technologies for in situ validation of the genomics/spatial transcriptomics and EpCulture services. While seemingly disparate, the services have been grouped together because of common management expertise, consultation practices, and efficient business model practices. The core provides services at substantially reduced costs and very rapid turnaround times. The AA Core is under the direction of Scott Magness, PhD, who is considered a leader in single-cell genomics, single-cell functional assays, and organoid technologies. He has broad expertise in intestinal and colonic 3D organoid and self-renewing monolayer cultures using primary tissue sources derived from humans and other model organisms. Heather McCauley, PhD, will serve as the co-director. Dr. McCauley is a new addition to the scientific expertise and management team. She is considered a leader in human intestinal organoids derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), intestinal stem cell biology and physiology, and humanized mouse models of the GI tract. The AA Core personnel are highly trained professionals in these technically demanding methods and have made the AA Core nationally recognized for single-cell sequencing services. The Specific Aims of the AA Core are: 1) To offer state-of-the-art single cell isolation and single- and bulk-cell transcriptomic/genomic assays. These services will enable investigators to study disease processes and gut regeneration & repair with unprecedented sensitivity and resolution. 2) To offer services related to organoid and epithelial monolayer cultures (EpCultures), custom EpCulture assays, intestinal stem cell gene editing, and training in EpCultures. These services will provide investigators with physiologically relevant epithelial culture systems to model diseases and injury of the gut lining and democratize the technologies by training the GI community scientists in these powerful methods.