Technology & Data Core

Project Summary – Technology and Data Core The overall objective of the Michigan Infectious Disease Genomics (MIDGE) Center is the identification of pathogen determinants of epidemic success. To accomplish this goal, each project will generate large genomic compendia, and analyze them in the context of rich phenotypic measurements. The Technology and Data Core

(TDC) will support individual projects and the overall mission of MIDGE by providing intellectual capacity, technical skill, and infrastructure to enable genomic and phenotypic data generation, analysis and dissemination of data, resources, and results to the research community. The TDC is led by investigators with

expertise and experience in the generation and analysis of massive genomic data sets, performing high- throughput phenotypic assays, and the integration of genomic and phenotypic data through advanced phylogenetic analysis and microbial genome-wide association studies (mGWAS). In addition, the TDC includes

two technical staff with extensive experience in managing large and complex data sets, creating automated workflows for data quality control, analysis and sharing and writing custom software solutions for both data management and bioinformatic applications. With this leadership and technical knowhow, the TDC will fulfill the

following four objectives: i) facilitate genomic data generation, quality control and rapid dissemination of cleaned sequence data, ii) provide capacity for extraction of genetic variation from cleaned sequencing data, iii) provide support for laboratory automation, high-throughput phenotyping and integration of phenotypic and

genotypic data through advanced phylogenetic analysis and mGWAS, and iv) ensure consistent and uniform sharing of data, protocols and software emanating from MIDGE. In fulfilling these objectives, the TDC will not only provide direct support for all four research projects, but also act as a hub for the sharing of technical

knowledge and analysis pipelines across projects. Lastly, investigators and staff in the TDC will lend their technical expertise in helping train team members across projects, which will enrich the training environment associated with MIDGE, improve productivity, and ensure uniform standards and practices.