# METEOR-BioLogical Specimen Translation (METEOR-BLST)

> **NIH NIH U54** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $386,855

## Abstract

The BioLogical Specimen Translation (BLST) Shared Resource of the METEOR ROBIN Center was designed
in concert with the leaders of both Projects, the METEORITE cross straining core and the CRATR Molecular
Characterization Trial. The BLST shared resource provides expertise, instrumentation, and computational
analyses for the full multimodal molecular characterization of cervical and pancreas tumor specimens before
treatment, in-treatment and after treatment with radiation therapy. In doing so, the BLST will empower the
projects and CRATR to test the global hypothesis that standard of care chemo-radiation therapy (CRT) remodels
the tumor microenvironment to support the survival and expansion of radiation resistant tumor cells. We will
provide instrumentation and proven experience for the following characterizations: 1) RNAseq and whole exome
sequencing, 2) single nuclear snRNAseq and single nuclear snATACseq, 3) targeted SureQuant protein mass
spectrometry, 4) NIMS-based spatial metabolomics and 5) spatial proteomics by CODEX. The BLST is not a
stand-alone core facility, but rather functions integratively and synergistically across METEOR. Tumor and blood
samples originate within the CRATR molecular characterization trial and from pre-clinical models within the
Projects. The BLST will ensure sample quantity, quality, storage and tracking before analysis. Through a suite
of pipelined commercial and custom computation, raw data produced in the BLST will be searched, statistically
scored, integrated and bioinformatically analyzed. Raw and processed data will be transferred to the Data
Management DST shared resource for further integration with clinical annotation and radiomics, as well as for
storage and dissemination across the ROBIN consortium. Reciprocally, the DST shared resource will provide
real-time feedback to the BLST for on-the-fly prioritization and pipeline adjustments. A direct line between the
BLST and Projects enables real-time integration in guiding biological insight. Finally, the BLST will directly
empower the Cross Training Core through associated faculty teaching and mentorship, as well as by providing
various datatypes for trainee processing, integration and interpretation. To accomplish these objectives, we
thematically organized the BLST across two Specific Aims. In Specific Aim #1, we will leverage optimized
workflows to extract and comprehensively detect and quantify biomolecules from the METEOR CRATR clinical
samples. As planned, the BLST will process: 15 samples for combined scRNAseq and scATACseq, 155 samples
for scRNAseq, 70 samples for SureQuant targeted MS, 115 samples for NIMS metabomic imaging, and 85 for
CODEX spatial proteomics. In Specific Aim #2, we will ensure adherence to principles of rigor and reproducibility
and transparency. Data points will be integrated across platforms, space and time. Bioinformatic enrichment
analyses will be used to annotate the resulting maps, including responding signaling pathways, pro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10912708
- **Project number:** 5U54CA274318-02
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Benjamin Major
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $386,855
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-09-01 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10912708

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10912708, METEOR-BioLogical Specimen Translation (METEOR-BLST) (5U54CA274318-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10912708. Licensed CC0.

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