# TREAT AD Bioinformatics Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $1,201,580

## Abstract

Emory/SGC/Sage/Jax TREAT-AD Center – Bioinformatics Core
PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of the Bioinformatics Core (Bioinf Core) is to integrate multiple data streams to prioritize and
validate protein targets for novel Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutics. We will merge genome-wide
association, medical and molecular genetics, and model systems data to create a comprehensive genetics
score. These scores will integrate study results from diverse ancestries to encompass a broader view of AD
genetics. A complementary multi-omics score will be derived from merging transcriptomic and proteomic data
from postmortem AD brain studies, including recently generated samples from diverse cohorts. These scores
will be combined to yield a data-driven AD Risk Score for every gene and protein. Groups of high-scoring
proteins with common functions will be identified through defined AD Biodomains that annotate AD-relevant
biological processes. Groups of proteins in a common AD Biodomain will be analyzed via network methods to
generate a series of distinct therapeutic hypotheses, each comprised of 10-20 resident proteins in an identified
biological process. In collaboration with the Assay Core, we will test candidate proteins by genetic perturbation
in human-derived induced pluripotent stem cell lines differentiated into relevant cell types by functional and
multi-omic assays. Successful candidate proteins will alter hypothesis-specific cell functions and coordinatively
modify transcript/protein levels across the hypothesis to mimic postmortem AD brain data. All bioinformatic and
experimental data will be disseminated as a Tier 1 Target Enabling Package, with successful proteins
promoted to Tier 2 development.
The specific aims of the Bioinf Core are:
 1. Prioritize target proteins and therapeutic hypotheses with updated study data and advanced
 computational approaches.
 2. Iteratively assess hypothesis validity with cell models.
 3. Create open resources to disseminate hypotheses and contextualize AD molecular risk.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10954113
- **Project number:** 2U54AG065187-06
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** ALLAN I LEVEY
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,201,580
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-30 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10954113

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10954113, TREAT AD Bioinformatics Core (2U54AG065187-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10954113. Licensed CC0.

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