The Systems Biology and Multi-Omics Core

The Systems Biology and Multi-Omics Core provides comprehensive support for musculoskeletal research at the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH) by enabling genomic and metabolomic studies tailored to the unique challenges of skeletal muscle, bone and tendon tissues.

As an integrated extension of the Center for Medical Genomics, the Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and a newly established virtual metabolomics service, the Systems Biology and Multi-Omics Core coordinates study design, assay selection, data generation, analysis and dissemination. It also promotes novel technology development and training in omics-based approaches.

By combining investigator-generated and publicly available datasets, the core drives new mechanistic insights in musculoskeletal biology through cutting-edge computational and bioinformatics infrastructure at Indiana University School of Medicine. This core will not only provide essential services at subsidized rates, as well as serving as an educational and collaborative hub, empowering musculoskeletal health investigators to generate transformative discoveries with unprecedented molecular resolution.

The Systems Biology and Multi-Omics Core offers the following services:

• State-of-the-art genomics services focused on musculoskeletal research programs.

  • Next-generation sequencing (NGS)

  • Single-cell analytics, and spatial -omics technologies

  • Sample preparation protocols tailored to musculoskeletal tissues.

  • Consultation and technical support for musculoskeletal-specific omics challenges

• State-of-the-art metabolomics services focused on musculoskeletal research programs 

  • Customizable metabolomics assays to support ICMH research needs.

  • Targeted mass spectrometry assays for over 500 metabolites across diverse sample types

• Integration of datasets from various omics platforms

  • Integrated analysis across genomic and metabolomic datasets

  • Standardized processing pipelines for omics data

  • Advanced computational tools for:

    • Network correlation analysis

    • Enrichment analysis

    • Activity motif searching

  • Interpretation support between core staff and ICMH investigators to develop novel hypotheses and derive biological insights.

• Development of ICMH investigator knowledge of omics-based approaches to enable expansion of systems-level experiments.

  • Investigator education in omics technologies and systems biology.

  • Short modular courses on omics methods and applications.

  • Working group meetings and seminars/workshops for:

    • Hands-on training

    • Technology updates

    • Collaborative discussions

• Data management services