PROJECT SUMMARY (BDSC) The “Biomedical Data Science Core” (BDSC) was founded on July 1, 2020 in response to growing need for expertise in advanced biostatistics, bioinformatics and human subject research design to support the expanding portfolio of human and translational research being conducted by members of the Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases (CMSDLD). BDSC is the Clinical Core for CMSDLD. Prior to this time, some of the services related to the BDSC were encompassed in the Host-Microbial Analytic and Repository Core (H- MARC). When these services were initially conceived of as part of the H-MARC, the focus was principally on analysis of microbiome data. However, the scope of research among CMSDLD members has evolved dramatically in the last 5-10 years, now including multiple omics domains. These different types of high- dimensional data require unique analytic approaches. The BDSC has expertise in analyzing each of these data types, thereby bringing an efficient solution to the diverse needs of the CMSDLD investigators. Additionally, while the CMSDLD was founded to focus on molecular aspects of digestive and liver diseases as studied predominantly in small animal models, there has been increased focus on human subject research. The BDSC provides consultation and research support services for investigators wishing to pursue human subject and translational research. The evolution from animal models to human subject research is consistent with the overall goals of the CMSDLD to conduct research with the potential to impact human health along the theme of host- environmental interactions in digestive and liver disease research from bench to bedside. The BDSC is directed by Hongzhe Li, PhD, Professor of Biostatistics and co-directed by James D. Lewis, MD, MSCE, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology. Together, they bring decades of experience in research related to gastrointestinal and liver disease, with specific expertise in applied and theoretical biostatistics, and human subject research design, implementation and education. Moreover, although this is a newly created core within the CMSDLD, Drs. Li and Lewis have a long track record of collaborating together and with other members of the CMSDLD. The core services to be provided by the BDSC include: (i) providing consultative services to support the design and analysis of clinical and translational research, (ii) supporting the use of clinical and translational research databases and (iii) providing biostatistics and bioinformatics support including standard and customized analytics. Together, these services are designed to increase the quality and efficiency of CMSDLD investigators’ research and facilitate the continued evolution of CMSDLD’s focus on translational research.