Bioinformatics core

Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen

• Z01

Prof. Dr. Dr. Melanie Börries

• Z01

Project Summary

Since the advent of modern sequencing, high-performance computing, mass spectrometry and imaging analysis, which are summarized as OMICS data (i.e. genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics), the amount of data has also increased exponentially in the field of the development and function in the central nervous system. Despite all technological advances, the biggest conceptual challenge remains the integration of such complex data across entities, space and time. Based on the increasing need on data analysis and data integration the Z01 project is additionally supported by M. Börries. The Backofen lab has developed, implemented and integrated a variety of suitable bioinformatics methods to analyze HTS (High Throughput Sequencing) data and has setup up the Freiburger Galaxy server, which is now even accessible to European researchers (usegalaxy.org) with more than 12000 users and 4000 tools. In this subproject, R. Backofen will continue to provide bioinformatics support for HTS data for the entire consortium. Besides this in-depth support, our project provides, via the Galaxy server access to the data by the consortium and allows for easy interpretation and visualization. We will also provide training courses for members of the consortium.

The Börries lab will further aid all members of this CRC/TRR167 in designing, analyzing and integrating diverse, high-volume data types to gain holistic insights into their respective model system and scientific question. In this context, M. Börries is not only an expert for data analysis, but also in data integration and interpretation with regard to Systems Biology and Systems Medicine. Taken together, both offer the handling for the analyses of HTS data and complement each other with different methods. In addition, Backofen focuses also on user training using the Galaxy platform, while M. Börries focuses on complex data integration of different HTS data.