Core C is responsible for applying biostatistical and clonal evolutionary analyses to the Barrett's EsophagusResearch Program P01 data, including data analysis, data management and data dissemination to allProjects and Cores. Core C is involved in all stages of experiments across the Projects from the initialexperimental design, to developing bioinformatics software for quality control and automated genotypingduring experiments, to analyses of the resulting data. Because Core C integrates data and experimentsacross all projects and cores, it has played a critical role in facilitating the interactions between the Projectsand Cores. During the current funding period, Core C analysis of the data produced by Core B and theProjects has led to the production of a number of research products such as a panel of biomarkers with ahigh sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of future cancer; better understanding of the evolutionarydynamics that are driving progression to cancer and that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use isassociated with a significant decrease in cancer incidence in Barrett's esophagus patients with molecularmarkers of high risk of progression to cancer. We are proposing to extend these analysesduring the nextfunding period to epigenetic alterations and an expanded panel of genetic lesions in our large Barrett'scohort. The clonal evolution that drives neoplastic progression in Barrett's esophagus presents uniqueopportunities and challenges for study design and analysis. Whether or not a neoplasm progresses tomalignancy depends upon the mutations that have developed, the selective pressures of the environment,the generation of new clones and heterogeneity through DMAdamage and epigenetic alterations, and howclonal competition plays out over time. Core C has the opportunity and expertise to make significantcontributions to assisting the Program Project to understand these processes and fulfill its specific aims.
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