Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>Rapid development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology is revolutionizing the life sciences, offering new opportunities to explore the structure and function of genomes in a diverse array of taxa from humans to non-model organisms. The rapid development of NGS technology has created an embarrassment of riches as biologists struggle to manage and analyze the growing streams of genetic data. For example, Illumina&rsquo;s latest HiSeq 4000 platform can sequence 2.5 billion DNA fragments (&gt;1.5 trillion base pairs), every 72 hours &ndash; and this output is doubling every few years. As a result, biologists are increasingly dependent on high-performance computing for the analysis of NGS data, leading to long delays as a result of long queues and long runtimes.</p> <p>The infrastructure requested in this application will support high-performance computing (HPC) for the dedicated analysis of NGS data in several NSERC-funded projects in the Biology Department at Queen&rsquo;s University:</p> <p><strong>Ecological genomics and adaptation</strong>: The Colautti, Eckert, Friesen and Lougheed labs investigate genetic variation in natural populations. Studies encompass many different plant and animal taxa with complex genomes and little or no pre-existing genetic information. Dedicated NGS computing infrastructure would allow for rapid sequencing and assembling of entire genomes, mapping functional genes, and screening genetic markers at tens- to hundreds of thousands of loci in dozens to hundreds of individuals. This would enable world-leading research investigating the genetic basis of adaptation, speciation, the origins and maintenance of genetic variation, and the effects of human activity on the long-term viability of natural populations</p> <p><strong>Polygenic human disorders, epigenetics, and methods development</strong>: The Babak lab is developing new methods for several applications to investigate the genetic and epigenetic basis of complex phenotypes. Dedicated NGS computing infrastructure would enable new world-class analyses for a variety of projects including a recently published large-scale effort to map genomic imprinting, and expanding this to 10 additional mammals (&gt;600 samples). Studies like these allow for discovery of potential causes of schizophrenia and other heritable human diseases.</p> <p><strong>Mechanisms regulating plant immune homeostasis</strong>: The Monaghan Lab examines how plants balance immune signaling with normal growth and development. Dedicated NGS computing infrastructure is crucial for rapid, high-throughput association mapping for genetic screening to identify genes that could improve crop yields.</p> <p><strong>Training</strong>: Training of more than 100 personnel is expected, in a variety of disciplines from ecology and evolution to biotechnology and human medicine. Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows will develop expertise in cutting-edge computational resources that will add a competitive edge to the next phase of their career.</p>