Functional Genomic Database for MS Research
University of California, San Francisco, UCSF
David H. Rowitch, MD, PhD
1 year grant, $82,475
The purpose of our project is to identify the critical genes and proteins that enhance myelin repair after injury. To this end we have created large data sets of factors that may be involved. In fact, the data has become so extensive and complex that it has become clear that we need to incorporate a Bioinformatics component into the project. Bioinformatics uses computers to sort through information to find trends and groups of genes with similar qualities such as gene type, gene function and common expression in MS and other white matter disease. This will allow us to properly manage datasets from our project. We also plan to make this resource open to all NMSS-funded Promise 2010 groups. Bioinformatics will allow us to perform sophisticated analysis of all datasets deriving from our remyellination studies. We believe this is a key step toward fully extracting the important information from our experiments.
Dr. Sergio Baranzini, Assistant Professor of Neurology and an expert in MS Bioinformatics techniques, has offered to help us accomplish our goals and has provided a detailed budget detailing the resources needed to make this effort successful. Funds requested will allow us to:
- Hire a biostatistician to run data analysis, store and compile data sets, develop a Web Site that will acknowledge support from MS Hope For A Cure
- Partially fund Dr. Baranzani’s work
- Software and a server to host the website