# Exposome Correlation and Interpretation Database (ECID)

> **NIH NIH U24** · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · 2024 · $844,998

## Abstract

Project summary:
In the human body, the small molecule chemical space originates from 1) the exposome( natural or synthetic
exogenous compounds) and the metabolome (functional readout of metabolic pathways of host and
commensal microbiota genomes). Studying this chemical space has provided new insights into the initiation
and progression of cancer, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and biomarkers for
exposures to industrial chemicals, nutrients, drugs and bioactive internal molecules. Targeted biomonitoring
and untargeted chemical analysis assays generate core datasets for exposomics projects to study the
chemical space and its impact on human health. Inter-chemical correlations are ubiquitously observed in these
core datasets. However, interpretation of these correlations has been limited to metabolic pathway and
reaction contexts which do not cover the origin, source, transformation and interaction among exposome
chemicals. We propose to develop the Exposome Correlation and Interpretation Database (ECID), a new
biomedical knowledgebase that will systematically catalogue and curate inter-chemical correlations and their
interpretation for the core datasets in exposomics. ECID will have three main informatics resources 1)
Chemical Correlation Database (CCDB), a curated, trustworthy, and FAIR compliance database of inter-
chemical correlations from biomonitoring and untargeted chemical analysis assays (aim1). In the prototype
version, 56 datasets have been included and by end of the project, over 250 datasets (human-only) will be
covered by the CCDB. We will curate the inter-chemical correlations that are observed across multiple studies.
2) Exposome Data Interpretation Resource (EDIR), an integrated database of structural and functional
relationships among chemicals (aim 2). Aim 2 will utilize text mining, cheminformatics, database fusion,
ontologies and chemical network mapping methods to create an atlas of functional and structural relationships
among exposome chemicals. EDIR will be used for annotating curated inter-chemical correlations with
plausible interpretations. and 3) Exposome WorkSpace, an online space to explore the CCDB and EDIR
information and to interpret user-provided datasets (aim 3). We will re-engineer the established data
exploration and analytics methods to provide an integrated, focused and relevant framework for exploring inter-
chemical correlations in core exposomics datasets. ECID portal will provide self-guided tutorials and online
data exploration tools for the exposomics and metabolomics researchers. ECID will leverage and complement
the HHEAR program's data center, targeted and untargeted laboratory components at the Mount Sinai
Exposomics Hub. We will utilize HHEAR studies (post-embargo) as validation studies to showcase the
application of ECID in exposome research. ECID will make significant contributions towards expanding our
understanding about small molecules chemical space within the human b...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10904958
- **Project number:** 5U24ES035386-02
- **Recipient organization:** ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- **Principal Investigator:** Dinesh Barupal
- **Activity code:** U24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $844,998
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-08-11 → 2028-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10904958

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10904958, Exposome Correlation and Interpretation Database (ECID) (5U24ES035386-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10904958. Licensed CC0.

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