Quantitative Science Shared Resource

Baylor College Of Medicine, Houston TX

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT: QUANTITATIVE SCIENCE SHARED RESOURCE (QSSR) The Quantitative Sciences Shared Resource (QSSR) was created in 2006 at the inception of the Dan L Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center (DLDCCC) with the primary purpose of supporting its mission “to reduce the burden of cancer through exceptional patient care, outstanding education, innovative research, and community outreach and education”. Although our efforts directly or indirectly support all DLDCCC Strategic Pillars, we are especially focused on supporting the research mission of the Cancer Center. Our five specific aims address biostatistics, bioinformatics, high-performance computing, integration with other SRs, and support of scientific review, education, and training. Aim 1: Provide state-of-the-art biostatistical design, analysis, and interpretation to clinical, translational, and basic science cancer-related research; Aim 2: Provide state-of-the-art bioinformatic design, analysis, and interpretation to clinical, translational, and basic science cancer-related research; Aim 3: Provide access to high-quality, professionally managed, high-performance computing; Aim 4: Coordinate with other SRs to meet their analytic and data management needs; and Aim 5: Assist the DLDCCC with education, training, scientific review, data monitoring, and strategic planning. The QSSR is a critical resource to the Cancer Center, as we continue to contribute to virtually every aspect of its endeavors, from basic through clinical research and the coordination of data flows with other SRs. Areas of special emphasis and accomplishments include modernization of clinical trial design, expansion of support for single-cell-omic and spatial transcriptomic analysis, enhanced and upgraded high-performance computing capabilities, routine processing of raw data generated by other SRs, and major contributions to user training and education. We are well represented among DLDCCC leadership, as Dr. Hilsenbeck is a long-standing member of the Breast Cancer Program and serves on the DLDCCC Executive Committee; Dr. Coarfa is Co-Lead for Theme 2 in the Chromatin Biology Program and is a designated Program “Emerging Leader”; Dr. Wang is a member of the Cancer Cell and Gene Therapy (CCGT) Program and statistician of record for CCGT investigator-initiated trials; and Dr. Creighton is a member of the Tumor Biology Program and their primary contact for cancer bioinformatics. QSSR members also serve on various DLDCCC committees and review groups, which positions us to effectively advise the DLDCCC on strategic initiatives and to respond to new or changing priorities. In the most recent fiscal year, QSSR personnel assisted 169 DLDCCC investigators and were supported by more than 120 different peer-reviewed grants and other sources of chargeback. Since the last competing renewal, QSSR members authored or co-authored 160 peer-reviewed, cancer-related publications, with >50 in the highest-impact (IF>10) cancer journals. The breadth of QSSR activities and numbers of funded collaborations, unique users, and co-authored publications clearly demonstrate our value added to the DLDCCC.