In the last two years, there has been an explosion of novel technologies for the acquisition and interpretationof genomewide human molecular genetic data, including development of whole genome association (WGA)microarrays and statistical methods, as well as the publication of the HapMap to provide a context foraccelerating the analysis and synthesis of such genomics data. Having published the first WGA study ofschizophrenia (Lencz et al. 2007), we are cognizant of the technical and statistical complexities involved inapplying these novel technologies. Therefore, the Special Scientific Procedures Core: Genomics plays acritical supportive role in the proposed CIDAR. The Genomics Core has three primary aims, necessary to thecompletion of CIDAR goals: (1) to provide basic laboratory services to CIDAR investigators such as blooddraws, DMA extraction, creation of immortalized cell lines, and sample storage; (2) to provide methodologicalexpertise in state-of-the-art genotyping and sequencing platforms, including high-precision QA/QCprocedures; and (3) to provide advanced statistical support, including development of new techniques,relevant to this large scale, genomewide data collection.Laboratory services are well-equipped to store, track, and genotype large numbers (thousands) of patientsamples rapidly and accurately using high-throughput technologies and robotics. Genotyping platformsinclude scanners for both Affymetrix microarray chip sets and Illumina Bead Arrays, and can support highdensity whole genome association studies and comprehensive SNP tagging strategies. In the last 18months, more than 1 billion genotypes have been generated in our facility, and maintenance of highstandards for genotyping QA/QC is a central focus of the Core, resulting in several top-tier publications.Statistical services provide expertise and published track records in critical issues for large genetic datasets,including: data reduction and complexity reduction methods, haplotype estimation and haplotype taggingstrategies, gene-gene and genotype-phenotype interactions, and Bayesian and other multivariate modellingtechniques. Development of novel methods (such as whole genome homozygosity analysis and analysis ofcopy number variation) is a priority of the Core. The Genomics Core will work together with both theOperations and Clinical Assessment Core, and the Research Methods Core: Cognitive Neuroscience, toapply genomics to prediction of both clinical treatment response phenotypes and neuroscientificendophenotypes.
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