Bioinformatics Support Services
Bioinformatics is the application of science and technology for collecting, searching, analyzing, and maintaining genome-scale data. Bioinformatics uses big data and molecular biology to answer medical science questions.
The bioinformatics team supports the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago research enterprise through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute's Quantitative Science pillar. Bioinformaticians with expertise spanning a variety of molecular technologies are available to aid in planning, executing, interpreting, and reporting of genome-scale studies. The bioinformatics team—who have collectively authored more than 120 peer-reviewed scientific papers—specializes in the visualization and communication of concepts at the interface of computing and medical science.
In addition to their role in supporting research efforts at Manne Research Institute, Lurie’s bioinformaticians facilitate genetic testing through the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory by guiding the analysis and interpretation of germline and somatic testing.
Core Services
- Consultation: We love to brainstorm with researchers and provide education about advanced analytical and computational methods. Consultations are free
- Project Services: Our team is also available for well-defined, discrete analytics projects. These services are billed at our hourly rate.
- Grant Development: We encourage researchers to develop a close collaboration early in the process of research design and proposal development. Assuming funded inclusion of our team members or services in the ultimate proposal, these services are free.
Specialty Services
The bioinformatics team is committed to providing bioinformatic support for researchers across Lurie Children’s and are prepared to perform analyses not covered by our packages. Such project-specific analyses include but are not limited to:
- Chromatin structure analysis (Hi-C, ChIP, CUT&RUN)
- Copy number analysis and comparative hybridization approaches
- Genome-wide SNP arrays
- Single cell RNA-seq analysis
- CRISPR screening analysis
Packaged Services
The bioinformatics team has developed reproducible bioinformatic analysis pipelines for common analyses with common experimental designs. These highly automated analysis pipelines are offered as packages.
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) and whole exome sequencing (WES) are methods for characterizing variability in an individual’s genome. They use next generation sequencing technology to determine genetic sequence. Analysis of these data is computationally intensive because it requires alignment of millions of sequenced “reads” to a reference genome and using a statistical model to identify genomic loci of interest. This processing is run on our high-performance compute environment.
RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is a high-throughput sequencing technique designed to provide insight into the transcriptome (gene expression) of a sample. The RNA-seq analysis service offered by the bioinformatics team provides a comprehensive exploration of gene expression and enriched biological pathways.
The ATAC-seq analysis service offered by the bioinformatics team provides a comprehensive exploration of genome-wide chromatin accessibility. This technique, known as assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (ATAC-seq), is designed to profile and understand the dynamic interplay between chromatin structure and gene regulation.
Quick Links
Request Services
Please complete the Quantitative Science Service Request form.
Service Rates
View details on our rates for fiscal year 2025.
Contact Us
For help, please email [email protected].
Our Team
Patrick D. McMullen, PhD
Director, Bioinformatics
Andrew Skol, PhD
Bioinformatics Scientist II
Samantha L. Gadd, PhD
Bioinformatics Scientist II
