Developing Resources

Bioinformatics
The Bioinformatics Resource will provide analysis of high throughput data on a genome-wide and/or proteome-wide basis.  The resource will provide guidance in experimental design, preprocessing and quality assurance of data, choice of analysis methodology and consulting services on appropriate software tools for each of these steps.  In addition, the core will have the responsibility of acquiring and integrating newly developed software platforms and tools to cope with the Consortium’s growing data types.

High Throughput Screening Facility
To provide scientists within the Consortium the ability to perform screens that address a range of topics, from control of mitosis to the discovery of novel antibodies to the basis for cell viability to identification of genes and proteins involved in human embryonic stem cell differential, the Consortium will develop a resource that will include sophisticated robotic systems to conduct high throughput screens of various types.  The facility will provide an effective and accessible resource for all fields of biology and for all model systems. 

Tissue Bank Resource
Consortium investigators have developed a number of valuable specimen collections to support individual research efforts in breast, genitourinary tract, colon, pancreas, ovary, sarcoma, liver, and hematologic cancers. Until recently, most of these repositories have operated independently with separate directors, staffs, processing and storage facilities, and databases. Many of these repositories were established to support a particular research effort. To meet the growing demand for specimens that can be used in a broad range of technically-specific studies, ongoing prospective collection is needed. The new Consortium Tissue Bank Resource will address this important need in two ways: 1) Development of a Consortium-wide resource for specimen procurement, pathological review, data acquisition, and specimen distribution that builds on current resources and experience; and 2) Creation of a virtual repository that will provide access to information on existing repository holdings and increase the use of these important specimens for new research opportunities

Tumor Model Resource
Human cancer xenografts provide critically important models for understanding the biology of human cancers and for pre-clinical trials of novel therapeutics.  Xenografts are used successfully to study basic aspects of tumor growth, vascularization, metastasis, gene expression, genomic alterations and perturbed molecular pathways.  Existing facilities at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and the University of Washington provide xenografts on a limited basis to Consortium investigators.  Establishment of this resource will enable the Consortium to coordinate efforts across facilities and expand the tumor models available to Consortium investigators.