Omics, Bioinformatics and Flow Cytometry Core

CORE C – OMICS, BIOINFORMATICS AND FLOW CYTOMETRY CORE PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The goal of the Cardiorenal and Metabolic Disease Research Center (CMDRC) COBRE is to bring together a multidisciplinary group of basic, clinical, and population scientists to work synergistically on the theme of cardiorenal and metabolic diseases. During Phases 1 and 2, the CMDRC - Core C provided COBRE

investigators and external researchers access to technical expertise and equipment to perform a wide variety of molecular, genetic, and next generation sequencing studies. During Phases 1 and 2, Core C also made major advances toward ensuring sustainability of its services. During Phase 3, the newly named Core C -

Omics, Bioinformatics and Flow Cytometry will extend its services and offer cutting-edge cellular and molecular analysis through building on existing infrastructure supported in Phases 1 and 2 (Genomics and Mass Spectrometry) to offer new cutting-edge omics methodologies as well as offer new capabilities through

recently acquired state-of-the-art cell sorting and flow cytometry equipment. The Omics and Bioinformatics Sub-Core and Cell Sorting/Flow Cytometry Sub-Core will allow CMDRC investigators comprehensive molecular or systems biology approaches to their research questions through detailed insight into cell-type

specific function, generation of “omics” datasets, and ultimately integration with detailed phenotype information to provide greater depth and insight into biological processes associated with obesity, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases. Core C has four aims: (1) to provide CMDRC investigators access to technical

expertise and cutting-edge omics services, including next generation sequencing technologies (single cell RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics) and facilitate proteomic technologies by leveraging existing IDeA funded infrastructure (offer and coordinate proteomics services and through IDeA National Resource for

Quantitative Proteomics program); (2) to provide CMDRC investigators access to cutting-edge cell sorting and flow cytometry expertise and services; (3) to provide education and training opportunities for students, trainees, and faculty in omics technologies and flow cytometry; and (4) to provide continuous improvement in

existing assays and services and to enhance technological capabilities through acquisition of new cutting- edge instrumentation that will assist in sustainability of the Core. Therefore, it is the objective of the CMDRC - Core C to aid investigators in advancing scientific discovery in obesity, cardiorenal, and metabolic diseases

through application of state-of-the-art cell sorting, flow cytometry, and omics technologies to generate greater insights into these diseases. Aside from CMDRC investigators, continued funding of the COBRE during Phase 3 will have a significant impact on providing external researchers (at other Mississippi undergraduate

institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)) access to equipment and expertise that would otherwise not be available in our region of the country.