The research group of Professor Douglas Mashek (Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics; Medicine; MSI PI) is involved in two projects that have begun to use bioinformatics analysis:

• A study of diet composition (olive oil/Mediterranean Diet) alone or with exercise training in mouse models and how these interventions impact muscle metabolism to prevent aging-related declines in muscle function
• A study of diet and genetic interventions that mimic fasting as a means to extend lifespan and metabolic health in Drosophila.

Both projects have RNA sequencing datasets that require bioinformatics analysis. MSI staff members in the RIS group are performing differential expression analysis using a two-factor model to identify differentially expressed genes due to each of the two treatments, controlling for the other treatment. Additionally, differentially expressed genes between each combination of experimental conditions will be identified.  For each comparison of interest, if there are enough differentially expressed genes, pathway analysis will be carried out to identify pathways that are involved followed by graphical illustration. In 2020, the Mashek group received a UMII Updraft grant to fund these analyses.

Research Computing partners:

• University of Minnesota Informatics Institute (funding)
• Minnesota Supercomputing Institute