Bioinformatics & Data Science
The UNMCCC Bioinformatics & Data Science (BDS) Shared Resource supports basic, translational, and clinical cancer research by providing a comprehensive suite of computational and analytic services.
These services include
- research design and development,
- next-generation sequencing (NGS) data analysis,
- single-cell and spatial transcriptomics,
- cheminformatics,
- cancer informatics, and
- advanced statistical and data science methodologies.
Members of the BDS work closely with the Analytical & Translational Genomics and the Biostatistics Shared Resources to enhance the acquisition of knowledge from NGS and other genomic and transcriptomic data.
The BDS shared resource
- provides critical infrastructure for data storage, highperformance computing, and cloud-based solutions—including AWS integration through the NIH STRIDES program—and
- manages CRIIS, a unique cancer informatics platform integrating clinical, genomic, tumor registry, and socio-demographic data that was developed in collaboration with a local data analytic company with support from the UNMCCC and the State of New Mexico.
Bioinformatics Shared Resource
Kathryn (Charlie) Brayer, PhD
Bioinformatician, Data Analysis
Olufunmilola (Funmi) Oyebamiji, MS
Bioinformatician, Data Analysis
Inigo San Gil, PhD
IT Services Specialist
Xiangjun Xiao, MS
Sr. Data Scientist
To acknowledge use of this shared resource, please include the following in your publications:
This research was partially supported by UNM Comprehensive Cancer Center Support Grant NCI P30CA118100 and the Bioinformatics and High Dimensional Data Analysis shared resource.
Bioinformatics & Data Science Specific Aims
Aim 1: Provide informatics, analytics, and knowledge management support via cost-effective services, technologies, equipment, and expertise to support the three UNMCCC Research Programs.
The priority of the BDS is to provide UNMCCC members with access to expertise in complex, high-dimensional data analysis and to support the software, computational needs, and integrative knowledge necessary to accomplish the research goals of the three UNMCCC Research Programs. With advances in genomics, in particular spatial genomics, the BDS anticipates an increased need for the analysis of complex omics data.
Using a collaborative model, in coordination with the ATG and Biostatistics Shared Resources, the BDS provides a cost-effective means for researchers to design studies and then analyze complicated and specialized data, providing researchers with access to information about specialized data analysis methods and capabilities. In addition, the BDS will manage access to and train UNMCCC members in the use of CRIIS, providing advice on data analysis and interpretation.
Aim 2: Develop custom bioinformatics tools and pipelines tailored to UNMCCC research needs.
The BDS will continue developing tools that are closely aligned with the needs of Cancer Center members, in particular in the area of spatial biology. In addition, the BDS will play a critical role in enhancing the utility of the CRIIS, by developing a secure data analysis, storage, and distribution platform for identifiable patient health information and UNMCCC-generated genomic data.
Aim 3: Provide education and promote awareness about bioinformatics technologies and services.
The BDS Directors contribute to a quarterly newsletter that highlights and explains BDS services and technologies, and assist users in the preparation of competitive grant proposals that involve complex or high-dimensional data analysis. The Directors attend Research Program and other UNMCCC meetings to provide expertise, advice, and information about the technologies and services available in the BDS, as well as updates on novel bioinformatics approaches and methodologies. Director Edwards is heavily involved in the Bioinformatics graduate program offered by the UNM School of Engineering and also lectures on bioinformatics in a graduate student core course.
Faculty and Staff
Jeremy Edwards, PhD
Co-Director of the Bioinformatics & Data Science Shared Resource
Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering
Professor of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology
Education and Training
Postdoctoral training in Genetics, Harvard Medical School
PhD Bioengineering, University of California San Diego
MS Bioengineering, University of California San Diego
BS Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas Arlington
Research Interests
Bioinformatics, genome technologies, next generation sequencing technology, systems biology, spatial regulation of signaling pathways.
Christopher Amos, PhD
Head, HSC Data Science Initiatives
UNMCCC Associate Director for Population and Data Science
Co-Director of the Bioinformatics & Data Science Shared Resource
Professor, UNM Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Preventive Medicine
Education and Training
Board certification, Medical Genetics
Post-doctoral training, Inter-Institute Medical Genetics Training program at the National Institutes of Health
Ph.D., Biometry and Genetics, Louisiana State University Medical Center
M.S., Biometry and Genetics, Louisiana State University Medical Center
B.S., Reed College.
Research Interests
Dr Amos has focused much of his career on developing and implementing methods for understanding the genetic and environmental influences underlying the etiology of common cancers.