Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core

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The Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core (BBC) provides statistical and big data analysis support to ONPRC, OHSU, and external investigators. The BBC brings together experts in statistics, informatics, computer science, and biology with the specialized skills required to analyze modern datasets. The BBC provides investigators access to cutting-edge expertise and infrastructure without the need to hire specialized staff or purchase expensive hardware.

The BBC provides an initial level of pre-grant project planning, study design, and grant development free of charge. Consultation with the BBC about study design is highly encouraged and should occur before initiating a project and seeking funding in order to optimize the study design.

Under a recharge model, the core performs data analysis and manuscript preparation services falling in two main categories: 1) Biostatistics, such as statistical genetics, longitudinal, survival, and high-throughput/high-dimensional omics data analysis; and 2) Bioinformatics, such as DNA- and RNA-seq alignment, single-cell DNA- and RNA-seq analysis, variant calling, differential expression and pathway analysis, data integration, online data submission, and custom script writing. The BBC can also provide training to lab staff to enable them to perform future analyses. Basic BBC services are billed hourly, while more advanced, specialized support may be eligible for grant-supported FTE for BBC staff.

The BBC’s integrated structure comprised of experts with diverse training permits analysts to work together on projects that require multiple skill sets. Each analysis is customized to best fit the needs of the specific project.

The BBC coordinates directly with other service units such as OHSU’s Advanced Computing Center (ACC) and data-generation cores (e.g., sequencing cores) to ensure data is generated, transferred, and stored efficiently.

Initial support provided free-of-charge includes:

  • Project planning and experimental design assistance.
  • Grant review, particularly sections related to bioinformatics and biostatistics.
  • A write-up of bioinformatics and biostatistics methods with references.
  • Letter(s) of support.
  • A section describing the BBC for Facilities and Resources.
  • Biosketches of BBC personnel designated in the proposal.
  • Budget justification descriptions for BBC personnel.
  • Budget estimates if work will be billed hourly.

Charges for analysis services, publication preparation, and training are billed hourly (staff time, not compute time). For complex or long-term projects, partial FTE support is also available. Specifically: 1) a PhD-level analyst may be included as key personnel (if >=5%FTE support is needed) or other significant contributor (with time billed hourly) along with their corresponding biosketch; or 2) an MS-level analyst may be included as other personnel (if >=10%FTE support is needed). Where applicable, there are reasonable fees for compute resources, data storage, and software licenses to cover project costs. Please email Dr. Suzanne Fei if you are interested in a cost estimate.

Rates

Co-authorship is appreciated for projects that involve significant intellectual contribution, time, and/or custom analyses. All publications using BBC services should include the following statement acknowledging BBC support:

The authors acknowledge the support of the Oregon National Primate Research Center Bioinformatics & Biostatistics Core, which is funded in part by NIH grant OD P51 OD011092. 

Director: Suzanne Fei, Ph.D.

Associate Core Director, Biostatistics: Byung Park, Ph.D.

Faculty Advisor: Benjamin Bimber, Ph.D. 

Oversight Chair: Don Conrad, Ph.D.

Biostatisticians: Lina Gao, Ph.D., Shauna Rakshe, PhD, and Yun Yu, M.S. 

Bioinformatician: Karina Ray, M.S.

Location

  • Oregon National Primate Research Center
  • Building one/VGTI Office #1104

Mail

  • 505 NW 185th Ave, Beaverton, OR 97006
  • Mailcode: L-584

Contact: bbc@ohsu.edu