CORE 3 PROJECT SUMMARY METABOLISM CORE The Metabolism Core (Core #3) supports the metabolomics and proteomics experiments designed by program project grant (PPG) investigators as integral parts of their proposed research. These large-scale molecular data analysis strategies are used by all four projects in this PPG, which provides synergistic linkage points, facilitated by Core #3, across projects for cross identification of metabolites and proteins that play important roles in lung cancer biology and immunology. Core #3 members have extensive experience in cancer metabolism, metabolomics, proteomics, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, collaboration with investigators, collaboration with data scientists (including members of Core #4), and customer service. These efforts will contribute to projects from inception to completion (i.e. from hypothesis to publication). Core #3 will support optimization of experimental design for mass spectrometry- based omics (Aim 1), which includes implementation of previously published strategies and development of novel methods for sample preparation, separations including gas and liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry to support the experiments required by PPG investigators. Datasets will be acquired with untargeted metabolomics, discovery proteomics, analysis of post-translational modifications, and targeted assay development for metabolites and proteins utilizing state-of-the-art separations and mass spectrometry equipment at Moffitt Cancer Center (Aim 2). Core #3 members will contribute to quality assurance/quality control for data acquired for each project and collaborate with PPG investigators and other PPG Cores to produce high quality datasets and develop data analysis strategies to maximize availability and usage of omics data across PPG Projects (Aim 3). In summary, Core #3 will make a significant contribution to the proposed research by elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying lung tumor biology and tumor-immune cell interactions, which may ultimately reveal potential biomarkers and novel treatment targets to be further investigated in functional studies proposed by the PPG Projects.