Within the past 5 years our focus changed from exclusively bone cell biology to the relationship of adipose tissue and the skeleton. In the course of these studies we faced opportunities to identify a unique macrophage genotype which completely prevents diet induced obesity and signaling pathways activated by ablation of adiponectin expressing cells which induce massive bone formation. We turned to members of GTAC to assist us. They enthusiastically agreed and their efforts were central to publications in high impact journals which they co-authored as well as a recently funded Department of Defense grant.  We at Washington University are fortunate to have this resource and especially very collaborative GTAC members.

GTAC@MGI provides an outstanding range of genomic, proteomic and bioinformatics capabilities, coupled with first class support, responsiveness and innovation. We have benefited tremendously from their expertise in large-scale DNA/RNA sequencing (e.g. Illumina NovaSeq), aptamer-based proteomics (SomaLogic SomaScan) and multiplexed qPCR assay design and execution (Fluidigm Biomark HD), to name just a few. Their innovative knowledge generation algorithm ‘CompBio’ takes interpretation of large multi-omic datasets to another level. CompBio performs an automated extraction of knowledge from all PubMed abstracts containing terms relevant to your dataset, and uses conditional probability analysis to compute the statistical enrichment of contextually associated biological concepts/themes. This has generated numerous novel insights into the biological effects of our ‘microbiota-directed’ foods on host physiology; moreover, having also spent many years in Pharma, I can vouch firsthand for the uniqueness and power of this tool for data interpretation and hypothesis generation.

Our research program has benefited tremendously from support we have had from the GTAC. This has included both a wide range of technical services, including quality assessments, library preparation, and sequencing of samples from RNA- and ChIP-Seq experiments, as well as collaborative data analysis support, which, together, has directly contributed in substantive ways to the publications listed below, presentations at national meetings, and ongoing collaborative projects. We are very grateful for and intend to continue utilizing these exceptional resources which have accelerated the advancement of our research program.

Publications That Demonstrate GTAC@MGI’s Service Options
Identification of an epigenetic signature of early mouse liver regeneration that is disrupted by Zn-HDAC inhibition
Postponing the Hypoglycemic Response to Partial Hepatectomy Delays Mouse Liver Regeneration
Diet Modifies Pioglitazone’s Influence on Hepatic PPAR γ-Regulated Mitochondrial Gene Expression

My experience in dealing with GTAC was extremely gratifying. I was able to discuss the study design ahead of time so that I had a sufficient sample size to address my scientific questions. GTAC also helped me work through the best way to analyze and present the large data sets in a simplified format that facilitated my ability to effectively communicate our findings to the scientific community.

Publications That Resulted from GTAC@MGI services
Myocardial B cells are a subset of circulating lymphocytes with delayed transit through the heart
Proteomic Signatures of Heart Failure in Relation to Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction
Developmental changes in myocardial B cells mirror changes in B cells associated with different organs