Research Informatics Core
 

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) is a NCI funded program whose goal is to accelerate scientists’ understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the application of genome analysis technologies. As a Biospecimen Core Resource (BCR) for TCGA, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) is central to the process of acquiring both tissue samples and their accompanying clinical information from contributing medical and research centers.

The Research Informatics Core team implements, integrates, and supports the critical information systems and processes to achieve the objectives identified by TCGA.  Those systems include enterprise systems for biospecimen management), clinical data collection (), electronic pathology review and digital imaging, as well as, a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. This part of the core team works closely with the TCGA Data Coordination Center to provide key deliverables for automating data transfers for all data collected for this effort.

A second Research Informatics Core team focuses on extending service to the Cancer Cooperative Groups. The informatics support of the Cancer Cooperative Groups is centered on the Biospecimen Core: Biopathology Center, Molecular Genetics and Core Morphology. The expertise provided consists of lab management system development and integration which optimizes workflow for advanced processing of biospecimen as well as banking and reporting needs associated with these operational areas.  RIC cancer research efforts extend outside the walls of the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital as we partner with government-funded cooperative cancer groups, including the Children’s Oncology Group (COG), the Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) and the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN).

While the third Research Informatics Core team concentrates on data management and custom development in support of individual, multi-discipline research studies. These efforts include clinical trials data collection and harmonization, surveys for study enrollment and patient screening and reporting. This team develops and supports customized study management software for internal and external investigators heading or participating in clinical trials across the nation. The Core team works to promote the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and the Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s strategic plan and overall scientific aims of the organization.

The Research Informatics Core is a fee-for-service core that operates as a value-add service entity. Because of the grant-funded and core service nature of our group, supporting investigators are provided with a milestone/deliverable invoice mechanism based upon in an agreed statement of work. The invoice mechanism produces invoice schedules that are drawn up by iteration based on deliverables as iterations complete and features are delivered.