ShEEP Request for Single-Cell Sequencing System

This application is for purchasing the equipment for single cell sequencing, which includes the Chromium System from 10x Genomics (Pleasanton, CA) and the NextSeq 2000 Sequencing System from Illumina (San Diego, CA). The equipment represents one of the most advanced, state of the art technologies in biomedical research that provides the capacity of analyzing gene expression or transcriptomics at single cell level. Currently, there are 12 principal investigators at Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center (Augusta, Georgia), who are funded by 12 VA MERIT awards, 2 VA Research Career Scientist awards, and 1 Career Development award. Among these investigators, 7 have a strong need and desire to conduct single cell sequencing research to explore new frontiers in their fields. The equipment will therefore support at least 7 VA Merit Review projects, 2 VA Research Career Scientist awards, and 1 Career Development award from these 7 investigators (Major and Minor Users). It will also benefit another 5 VA MERIT projects at this VA Medical Center. The single cell sequencing system will greatly facilitate these VA funded research projects by enabling the analysis of specific cell populations and their changes in diseases, ranging from kidney failure, retinal degeneration, psoriasis to cancer, cardiovascular.disease and PTSD. This equipment will be housed in the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center Research Core facility and will be shared by multiple VA investigators. Plans for the administration, management, user fee recovery for maintenance/service contract are in place. The equipment will provide a state of the art technology that will significantly enhance research productivity, increase collaboration, provide training and education opportunities, and therefore advance the VA mission to improve veterans' health.