# Host-Microbial Analytic and Repository Core

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $185,152

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY (HOST-MICROBIAL ANALYTICS & REPOSITORY CORE) 
There is growing evidence for the importance of environmental factors, such as the microbiome, playing a 
critical role in the pathogenesis of many digestive, liver and pancreatic diseases. There is much interest in the 
characterization of the microbiome to identify potential biomarkers relevant for precision medicine as well as 
the modification of the human microbiome as a modality to prevent and/or treat diseases. To facilitate 
research focused on host-microbial interactions and their relevance to digestive, liver and pancreatic diseases, 
the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases (CMSDLD) has developed a Host-Microbial 
Analytic and Repository Core (H-MARC) with the following two Specific Aims: 1) To provide critical analytic 
services the characterize analytes (i.e. genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics) in both microbes and their 
mammalian hosts and 2) To provide expertise that will allow CMSDLD members to extend pre-clinical in vitro 
and animal model research into the human clinical domain. In Specific Aim 1, to support the analysis of the 
mammalian host, H-MARC will provide access to high-end instruments designed to quantify gene expression 
at the mRNA and protein levels as well as access to FACS for the characterization of mammalian cell 
populations. Genomic analysis will be provided via Penn's Next Gen Sequencing Core. To support the analysis 
of the microbiota, H-MARC will support experiments involving microbial cultures as well as the analysis of 
metabolites via targeted metabolomics. Computational and biostatistical support to analyze microbiome 
datasets associated with clinical metadata will also be provided through full time biostatisticians in H-MARC 
who will interface with the PennCHOP Microbiome Program. In Specific Aim 2, H-MARC will support human 
subject research by providing a robust Human Biospecimen Repository via a LabVantage-based LIMS system 
as well as the collection of robust annotated clinical data for IBD phenotyping via the EPIC EMR. Importantly, 
to facilitate human subject research translating preclinical research into the clinical domain, H-MARC will 
provide advice and expertise in the development of human intervention studies. Ultimately, H-MARC services 
are designed to facilitate integrated analyses of host-microbial interactions at the preclinical and clinical 
interface.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200775
- **Project number:** 5P30DK050306-25
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** GARY D. WU
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $185,152
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200775

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200775, Host-Microbial Analytic and Repository Core (5P30DK050306-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200775. Licensed CC0.

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