Bioinformatics Service FAQs
What is the bioinformatics analysis service?
This service provides data analysis support for all high throughput genomic platforms. In addition, support is also provided for tissue microarray (TMA) analysis, and advanced integrative integrative analysis between different platforms. We can also provide guidance with large consortia data such as from TCGA, 1000 genomes and ENCODE.
We also provide consultation and assistance with analysis tools such as Ingenuity, Meta Core and other tools licensed through the Health Science Library System (HSLS).
Who is the contact person?
For analysis requests and questions, please contact Uma Chandran at chandran@pitt.edu or chandranur@upmc.edu. Phone number: 412-623-7841.
What are your fees?
Our fees are either on an hourly basis or through grant support. The hourly rate is $84/hour; the scope of the study and the estimated number of hours required to complete a study will be determined upon discussion with the investigator. Generally, preliminary analysis of a small-scale microarray expression study and generation of differential gene expression lists takes about 10 hours. If investigators wish to perform analysis independently, but would like assistance with tools, we can provide such assistance on an hourly basis.
Do you work with the Cancer Biomarker Facility (CBF) or the GPCL cores?
We work very closely with the CBF which is a UPCI shared resource. GPCL is an independent facility on the Oakland campus. Our facility supports primarily cancer studies.
Will you work with non-UPCI investigators?
Our facility supports mainly cancer studies and majority of the investigators we work with are UPCI members. However, our work load permitting, we will consider requests from non-UPCI investigators, especially for short consults.
Which platforms are supported?
Our group supports analysis of Affymetrix chips including SNP and expression arrays, Illumina expression, microRNA and methylation arrays, Agilent arrays, other microRNA platforms, and TMAs.
Do you perform proteomic analysis?
We can provide some preliminary analysis of proteomic data. For advanced informatics support, please contact Dr. Nathan Yates.
Do you expect to be a co-author on publications?
Determination about co-authorship is based upon discussion with investigators and varies from study to study.
Can you help us analyze TCGA data?
We have performed analysis of TCGA breast and ovarian cancer data. We have analyzed each of the individual platforms, including copy number, expression and microRNA analysis and have also performed integrative analysis.
Can you help us download and store TCGA data?
Each investigator has to acquire IRB approval for protected TCGA data. Please refer to the TCGA website for details. We can help you navigate this process but at this time, due to the large data sizes, we cannot store the data. Each department has to complete the requirements for TCGA data storage.
Do you provide Next Gen Sequence Analysis?
At this time, the Bioinformatics Analysis service does not provide analysis of Next Gen data. We are hoping to add this service by the middle of 2012. For all Next Gen-related questions, please contact Dr. William LaFramboise.
