# Core 1: Systems Pharmacology Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL · 2020 · $476,484

## Abstract

SUMMARY (AIM 2): SYSTEMS PHARMACOLOGY CORE
The Systems Pharmacology Core will provide all investigators and trainees who are part of this proposal, as
well as individuals selected for funded internal research projects, access to an integrated resource for deep
molecular profiling of cells and tissues and for analyzing the resulting data using a diversity of computational
tools. The core draws on the resources of the Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology (LSP), which co-localizes
postdocs and students from multiple research groups with professional PhD-level research staff who lead
technology platforms. This will result in close and regular interaction between research projects and diverse
measurement technologies both as a means to ensure continuous improvement in omic technologies as well
as to assist investigators and trainees with experimental design and interpretation. Staff involved in the
Systems Pharmacology Core also have a role in education and training as described under education and
outreach in Aim 3. The LSP embraces a philosophy of continuous process improvement. For example, in the
last year we implemented, and published in high impact journals, new approaches to single cell sequencing,
focused proteomics and highly multiplexed single-cell imaging. To promote innovation, staff scientists charged
with individual technologies will attend conferences and workshops on the latest technologies and continue to
publish their work as primary and contributing authors.
Aim 2.1 will support next generation sequencing and RNA-Seq using three complementary technologies that
differ in cost, degree of coverage, throughput of samples and use of bulk vs. single cells. Aim 2.2 will provide
mass spectrometry-based shotgun proteomics using isobaric tags optimized in the MS3 mode as well as
focused proteomics using the recently developed TOMAHAQ method (in lieu of multiple reaction monitoring),
and phospho-mass spectrometry using the latest generation Orbitrap Fusion™ Lumos™ Tribrid™ Mass
Spectrometer. Absolute quantification of peptides will aid in data interpretation and data fusion. Aim 2.3 will
enable highly multiplexed (20-40 channel) imaging of cultured cells before and after exposure to drugs using
an innovative Cyclic Immunofluorescence (CycIF) method developed at the LSP. Aim 2.4 will support
metabolomic profiling of cell and serum samples using a targeted method that measures the levels of ~300
metabolites of known identity based on a library of reference compounds. Aim 2.5 will perform multiplex
immunoassays on cytokines and growth factors as well as high dimensional flow cytometry and CyTOF mass
cytometry to deeply profile human blood. Aim 2.6 will provide access to training and core technologies for
general purpose data analysis (clustering, regression, dimensionality reduction) as a complement to specific
modeling efforts in individual research projects.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9886215
- **Project number:** 5U54CA225088-03
- **Recipient organization:** HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL
- **Principal Investigator:** Artem Sokolov
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $476,484
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9886215

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9886215, Core 1: Systems Pharmacology Core (5U54CA225088-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9886215. Licensed CC0.

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