# Commercialization of SciDAP, a next generation universal platform for collaborative data analysis

> **NIH NIH R41** · DATIRIUM, LLC · 2021 · $52,000

## Abstract

Summary
The recent proliferation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) - based methods for the analysis of gene
expression, chromatin structure and protein-DNA interactions has created tremendous opportunities for gaining
novel insights into basic biology, health, and disease. However, analysis of the resulting data requires
computational expertise that many traditional biologists do not possess. Hence, when dealing with genomics
data, majority of biologists require the help of bioinformaticians even for simple tasks. This places these exciting
methods beyond the reach of the majority of life scientists.
This proposal from DATIRIUM, LLC, a start-up company from Cincinnati, OH describes a plan to create SciDAP
(Scientific Data Analysis Platform), a novel multi-omics user-friendly data analysis platform to allow biologists
to analyze the data themselves and to enable collaboration between biologists and bioinformaticians.
We hypothesize that we can create a data analysis platform that is both universal and user-friendly by including
interface instructions into computational pipelines itself. Platform will use these instructions to create a
graphical interface for users. Specifically, we are using containerized pipelines developed using Common
Workflow Language (CWL). CWL allows to describe tools, pipelines and computational environment making
these pipelines both portable and reproducible. On top of CWL, Datirium developed a system of CWL extensions
that allows to describe the inputs and outputs visualizations within the CWL workflows. Importantly, our
platform will increase the rigor of computational analysis by (i) making the analysis reproducible and auditable
by bioinformaticians due to CWL pipeline portability and recording each step of the analysis as Research Objects;
(ii) enabling collaboration between experimentalists and computational biologists by providing
bioinformaticians with a way to direct analysis flow and biologists with the convenience of GUI; (iii) Including
out of the box pipelines with optimized parameters and actionable QC metrics that flag possible issues.
In the first aim of this proposal, we will create a prototype of the platform. In the second aim, we will conduct
usability testing with bioinformaticians and experimentalists to test whether our platform can accommodate
diverse types of the analysis in a user-friendly fashion. Specifically, in collaboration with Dr. Salomonis at
CCHMC, we will test how easy it is to integrate two existing analysis routines into SciDAP: BS-Seq DNA-
methylation and scRNA-Seq; then we will work with biologists to ensure that the resulting interface is both user-
friendly and enables collaboration with bioinformaticians.
In this iCorps supplement, Datirium recruited Amy Duncan, MBA, a commercialization expert specializing in
launch of research products to work with us on developing a a comprehensive, effective, and multi-faceted
commercialization and launch plan. Specifically, we hope to gain ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10338010
- **Project number:** 3R41HG011219-01A1S1
- **Recipient organization:** DATIRIUM, LLC
- **Principal Investigator:** Artem Barski
- **Activity code:** R41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $52,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2022-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10338010

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10338010, Commercialization of SciDAP, a next generation universal platform for collaborative data analysis (3R41HG011219-01A1S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10338010. Licensed CC0.

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