# Statistical Methods for RNA-seq Data Analysis

> **NIH NIH R01** · FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER · 2021 · $349,264

## Abstract

Project Summary
Traditional RNA-seq studies collect RNA-seq data from bulk samples (bulk RNA-seq) and thus aggregate the
signals from multiple cell types. Gene expression variation across samples may be due to difference of cell
type composition or cell type-specific gene expression, and bulk RNA-seq data cannot distinguish these two
factors. In fact, cell type-specific signals may be masked or even misrepresented by bulk RNA-seq data. Single
cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) may overcome part of the limitations of bulk RNA-seq. However, in a
foreseeable future, it cannot be applied to a large cohort due to cost and logistical barriers. In this R01
proposal, we propose new statistical/computational methods to study cell type composition or cell type-specific
gene expression using bulk RNA-seq data, scRNA-seq data, or both bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq data. This
approach can effectively exploit the huge amount of existing bulk RNA-seq data, and it can bring paradigm-
shifting changes to many fields, for example, identifying cell types associated with a disease trait or defining
new biomarkers using cell type-specific gene expression. We plan to achieve the following three specific aims.
In Aim 1, we propose novel methods for cell type-specific differential expression analysis as well as methods to
assess the association between cell type composition and covariates of interest. In Aim 2, we focus on the
association between cell type-specific gene expression and germline genetic variants, i.e., studying cell type-
specific gene expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs). In Aim 3, we study the association between somatic
mutations and cell type composition or cell type-specific gene expression.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10085243
- **Project number:** 5R01GM105785-08
- **Recipient organization:** FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Wei Sun
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $349,264
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-05-15 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10085243

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10085243, Statistical Methods for RNA-seq Data Analysis (5R01GM105785-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10085243. Licensed CC0.

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