DS-AI Seed Grants: Multi-omics Optimization-based Integration for Enhanced Cancer Research Datasets
The research labs of Dr. David Guinovart and Dr. Eric Rahrmann, assistant professors at the Hormel Institute, are collaborating on a project called MOOBI (Multi-omics optimization-based integration), which is tackling key challenges in integrating complex biological data for cancer research. By combining expertise in computational biology and cancer genomics, the project harnesses advanced machine-learning techniques and publicly available data from The Cancer Genome Atlas to develop innovative tools for cancer subtype classification and biomarker discover.
The MOOBI project focuses on integrating diverse “omics” datasets, including genomic, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic data. Data noise, high dimensionality, and heterogeneity often limit traditional multi-omics analyses. To overcome these challenges, the MOOBI project employs a two-step approach: (1) optimizing gene selection using a novel machine-learning algorithm and (2) fine-tuning a predictive model to classify cancer subtypes with high accuracy.
The project will first apply the MOOBI framework to breast cancer data as proof of concept, creating a high-quality, integrated resource to uncover meaningful molecular patterns and identify clinically relevant biomarkers. They will then extend the research to additional cancer types, producing a comprehensive multi-cancer resource.
To ensure that the broader research community benefits from this work, a user-friendly platform is designed to provide seamless access to the enhanced multi-omics datasets. The platform prioritizes ease of use, enabling researchers at the University of Minnesota, including those without computational expertise, to leverage these datasets for applications such as biomarker discovery, cancer subtype classification, and precision medicine research.
This project received a DSI Data Sets Seed Grant in 2024 and was featured during the Seed Grant Showcase in February 2025. The Seed Grant program promoted, catalyzed, accelerated, and advanced University of Minnesota-based data science research so that University faculty and staff are well prepared to compete for longer term external funding opportunities.
DSI became the Data Science and AI Hub (DSAI) in June 2025. The DSAI Seed Grant program is currently paused and they are not accepting proposals. More information can be found on the Seed Grant website.
