The Immunological Genome Project (ImmGen) is a collaborative group of immunology and computational biology laboratories who have performed in current grant period using a rigorous data generation and QC pipeline, a thorough dissection of gene expression and its regulation in >250 defined cell populations of the mouse immune system. These data were used to computationally define co-regulated gene modules and predict putative regulators. ImmGen data have become an important resource for the immunology community, with frequently consulted web and smartphone supports. The proposed continuation will harness the collective strengths of the ImmGen group. It will complete the existing compendium (missing or recently described populations, transcriptome changes upon cell migration). Consortium labs will analyze the response to a panel of molecular triggers (vaccination, adjuvants, gut microbes, super-antigens, TLR ligands, allergic challenge): are there responses in un-recognized target cells, how does transcriptional activation resonate secondarily system-wide? The profiling will also extend to non-coding mlRNAs and lincRNAs, and apply high-throughput RNA-sequencing to augment and refine the microarray data. In addition, we will build on our computational analyses of regulatory networks, validating and strengthening these predictions, and assessing their molecular underpinning. Chromatin immunoprecipitation detected by sequencing (ChlP-seq) will be used to relate the expression profiles to the underlying chromatin structure, loading with Pol-ll, and DNA methylation, in a set of 30 cell types already profiled in ImmGen. This will provide a unique perspective on chromatin/transcription relationships in primary cells in vivo. We will also collaborate with the international Knockout Mouse Project (KOMP) to analyze transcriptional changes and their immunological consequences in a panel of 200 KG animals. 50 of these will be chosen to target transcription factors (TFs) predicted to be essential nodes by our existing studies;in complement, the genomic locations of these TFs will be mapped by ChlP-seq by collaborators at Genentech. ImmGen data and meta-data serve a need in Immunology research and are widely used. This important resource will be maintained and curated, expanding the several browsing modes already in place to support more complex user queries and data requests, enriching the data presented and its connectivity. The smartphone/tablet information space will continue to be supported, enriching the content served locally or addressable through on-line queries.

Public Health Relevance

Through the high quality gene expression data it has generated, ImmGen has become an important resource in Immunology research. This next cycle of funding will explore broadly the response to microbial and antigenic challenge, laying the groundwork for a fuller understanding of how the immune system responds to triggers.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Resource-Related Research Projects (R24)
Project #
5R24AI072073-08
Application #
8712330
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZAI1)
Program Officer
Quill, Helen R
Project Start
2006-10-01
Project End
2017-08-31
Budget Start
2014-09-01
Budget End
2015-08-31
Support Year
8
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Harvard Medical School
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02115
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