The Translational Research Core (TRC Director: Dr. Wayne Yokoyama). The TRC comprises three separate but related services devoted to the support of translational research efforts.

  • The Biobank (led by Dr. Mark Watson and Dr. Al Kim). Our main goal is to develop an integrated rheumatic diseases Registry and biospecimens Repository that can be searched and maintained through electronic biomedical data management systems, allowing for the annotation, tracking, and sharing of tissue and databases. More information related to the Registry/Bio bank is forthcoming.
  • The Genomics and Bioinformatics Facility (GBF, led by Dr. Eli Roberson) will provide expertise and guidance needed for human genetics and genomics work. Dr. Roberson will provide consultation regarding any genomic projects to assess the goals and most appropriate approach. We will leverage resources from GTAC to provide cutting-edge and cost-effective sequencing and analysis technologies for WU-RDRRC investigators. A comprehensive list of the services at GTAC is available on their website. For all WU-RDRRC members doing work with the GTAC, there will be dedicated bioinformatics support to assist with custom (non-pipeline) analyses. Three bioinformatics specialists, Paul Cliften (DNA analysis), Eric Tycksen (RNA analysis), and Jinsheng Yu (Microarray) will have a component of their time available to aid WU-RDRRC investigators with their data. Requests can be made to Paul Cliften, GTAC Director of Computational Biology.
  • The ImmunoMonitoring Lab (IML, led by Dr. Stephen Oh and Dr. Kathleen Sheehan) will provide the structure, instrumentation, and expertise to interrogate human and mouse immunologic profiles, including the use of validated panels of CyTOF-ready antibodies that have been developed by CHiiPs. A list of service offered by the IML is available on their website. The IML will offer WU-RDRRC investigators, prioritizing those who do not have access to other subsidies, up to 50% discount on labor costs, up to $1,000 per user per service. These subsidies will be distributed through the IML iLab. Submissions are on a rolling basis, first-come first-served.