# Omics Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · 2021 · $360,831

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT – OMICS CORE
The Developmental and Hyperactive Ras Tumor (DHART) SPORE was designed to integrate multiple
research projects, all with the goal of identifying novel molecular therapeutic strategies for NF1-related
malignancies. Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder, characterized by mutations
in the NF1 gene, which encodes neurofibromin. Functional loss of neurofibromin, a Ras-GTPase activating
protein (GAP) leads to hyperactive Ras signaling and dysregulation of multiple cell signaling pathways
impacting cell proliferation and survival, such as Raf-MEK-ERK and PI3K-AKT-mTOR. The overall goal of the
Omics Core (Core B) is to provide state-of-the-art support for research design consultation, performance of
genomics and kinomics experiments, and integrated data analysis to DHART investigators to elucidate
changes during NF1-related tumor development and in response to therapy. Built upon institutional genomics
cores (Center for Medical Genomics), a newly established kinome laboratory, and a bioinformatics research
center (Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics), Core B also interacts intensively with other cores
for supporting the DHART investigators. Upon receipt of tracked samples (including mouse and human
neurofibromas, JMML, GBM, and models of NF1-related subsequent neoplasms) from the
Biospecimen/Pathology Core C, the following technologies and informatics platforms will be employed: 1. Core
B will process samples for bulk RNA sequencing, single-cell RNA sequencing, whole exome sequencing, or
targeted exome sequencing. 2. The Omics Core will analyze and annotate all RNAseq and exome sequencing
data for transfer to Synapse, the Sage portal for data analysis 2. The Kinome Core will utilize established
chemical proteomics methodology to provide functional, activity-based, global kinome profiles of NF1-related
specimens, defining baseline kinome state, effects of specific genotype or genetic perturbations, and response
to targeted inhibitors. 3. In collaboration with the Administrative Core A and Sage Bionetworks, integrative
analyses will be performed to provide comprehensive molecular profiles of genotype-driven gene expression
and functional kinome profiles. The profiles will be studied for both putative response biomarkers and for
candidate therapeutic targets. Synapse, a web portal maintained by Sage will allow access by SPORE
investigators of all data obtained by the Omics and Biospecimen/Pathology Cores, where findings will be
annotated and made more broadly useful to all investigators involved in the SPORE. This data management
portal will provide a unique resource for accessing and interpreting data generated by the three projects,
Biospecimens and Pathology Core and Omics Core.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10270579
- **Project number:** 2U54CA196519-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- **Principal Investigator:** Yunlong Liu
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $360,831
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2015-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10270579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10270579, Omics Core (2U54CA196519-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10270579. Licensed CC0.

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