The overarching objective of the Integrated Molecular Technologies (IMT) Core is to promote and facilitate basic, translational and clinical research in the digestive system by providing UCLA: DDRCC-SigCo investigators with access to state-of-the-art molecular technologies. These include: 1) expertise and viral vector cloning and production services to genetically engineer cell lines and primary cells with altered expression of protein encoding genes, as well as microRNAs and lincRNAs both in vitro and in vivo 2) expertise, equipment and services for molecular and cellular profiling and high-throughput screening analyses; and 3) expertise and services for gut microbiome analysis. Accordingly, the IMT Core personnel will pursue the following Specific Aims: 1) Provide UCLA: DDRCC-SigCo researchers with individually customized services that require highly specialized expertise and/or instrumentation at minimal cost. These services include (but are not limited to): 1) Design, construction, and production of custom gene delivery vectors for expression of a specific proteins of interest 2) Providing or facilitating access to specialized protocols and/or expensive instrumentation for profiling changes in gene expression, non-coding RNAs and cellular phenotype; and 3) Characterization of gut microbiome composition and function (genes/transcripts) and bioinformatics analysis of the data. 2) Serve as an educational and advisory resource for UCLA: DDRCC-SigCo researchers who wish to utilize state-of-the-art molecular technologies to further their own research studies. These services include (but are not limited to): 1) Training, consultation, and troubleshooting in techniques to genetically engineer mammalian cells in vitro and in vivo for functional protein expression or knockdown.2) Training, consultation, and troubleshooting in techniques for design, implementation and bioinformatics analysis of customized genomic and cellular profiling assays and molecular screening assays; and 3) Training, consultation, and troubleshooting in techniques for design, and quantitative analysis of gut microbiome sequence data. 3) Facilitate access of Center investigators to UCLA Shared Resources for additional genomics and molecular screening services by negotiating priority and supporting the application of vouchers to the Executive Committee of the Center to subsidize the cost of these services. These services include (but are not limited to): 1) Whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq). 2) Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-Seq). 3) Whole exome and genome sequencing. 4) Single cell sequencing. By consolidating these services and expertise into a single integrated Core, users obtain more efficient and flexible services that can be tailored to optimally meet the needs of individual research projects of the research base of the UCLA: DDRCC-SigCo. As many as 65% of the members of the new Center anticipate using the IMT Core to facilitate their research.

IMTC Contact Information:

Emmanuelle Faure, PhD
Lab Manager
EFaure@mednet.ucla.edu
(310) 825-7112

Microbiome Sub- Core Services Contact:

Jonathan Jacobs, MD, PhD
JJacobs@mednet.ucla.edu
(310) 825-9333

website: https://www.microbiome.ucla.edu/