Resource Core D - Bioinformatics and Statistical Analysis Core

SUMMARY – RESOURCE CORE D Recent advancements in the field of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and imaging have greatly enhanced our understanding of skin development, homeostasis and disease. Nonetheless access to state-of- the-art statistical and bioinformatic tools for the analysis and integration of these large datasets has a high barrier in terms of costs and expertise limiting reproducibility and innovation. The main objective of Core D, `Data Analysis and Integration' is to promote research in skin biology and disease by providing a central hub for statistical design, bioinformatic analysis and training across all projects. This will ensure a standardized and reproducible process to generate meaningful biological conclusions. Core D will provide a complete solution for experimental and statistical consultation, genomics, transcriptomics and immunohistochemical data analysis. It will provide data integration across all platforms and projects, data management, interpretation and reporting, through Skin-GLOW (Skin-Gene Level Omic Web Tool), a state-of-the-art uniformed and integrated database for data visualization and sharing. This interface will improve the reproducibility and validity of research findings and boost skin related discoveries. Core personnel will be embedded in skin research labs where they will become familiarized with skin as a biological system and the questions being asked; this will help ensure that they can most effectively advise lab personnel appropriate analyses of their data; conversely lab personnel will become more familiar with analysis tools. Core D leadership collectively have >30 years of experience in biostatistics and chromatin biology bioinformatic support. This strong team will work closely together to provide first-rate core service to SBDRC researchers. Core D will provide the following services to core users: (1) Coordinated and comprehensive management of computational resources and biostatistics and bioinformatics training at reduced cost to SBDRC users; (2) Statistical design and analysis services; (3) Standardized, state- of-the art bioinformatics expertise for genomics and transcriptomics-based approaches; (4) Standardized, state-of-the art bioinformatics expertise for spatial approaches, and (5) Develop pipelines and innovative tools for data integration across all platforms (i.e. Skin-GLOW). The core is highly innovative through its cutting-edge integrated bioinformatics analysis (e.g. spatial transcriptomics, sc-ATAC-seq and Iso-seq), which will enable SBDRC researchers to fully explore complex datasets, formulate novel hypotheses, as well as access to unique tools (i.e. Splice Switching Antisense Oligos -ASOs) for mechanistic studies and potential future therapies for skin related diseases. Significance: Collectively, Core D is constituted to provide state-of-the-art statistical and bioinformatics expertise, collaboration and training to all SBDRC investigators, while integrating multi-omic data in an interactive web-tool, to advance research in skin biology and disease. This in turn will facilitate discussion between investigators to increase the relevance, value and impact of their studies, and the development of additional bioinformatics tools tailored to the specific needs of the skin community.