Lena Perry
Pronouns: she/her
Research Mentor(s): Fadhl Alakwaa
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Internal Medicine Department / Medicine
Program:
Authors: Fadhl Alakwaa, Lena Perry, Nandan Srikrishna, Zyad Shehadeh
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster: 9
Abstract
Metabolites are very small molecules which result from metabolism. Analyzing them has proven important for diagnosing and treating diseases. Something called metabolomics analysis. Our app, MetabolonR, aims to make this valuable process more accessible to researchers who don’t have programming knowledge to produce the necessary graphs and analyses. This type of software has been created before, but our app adds unique functionalities like identifying sources of variation. MetabolonR, runs data through an analysis pipeline. To create it, we first gathered some data on kidney disease from a previous study. Along the way we used this to test the app. Next, in a Jupyter Notebook we coded the multiple tests that are often run on metabolomics data. We used this code to implement our Shiny app. We were able to reproduce the results both in the app and another Jupyter Notebook. The analysis pipeline of the app results in accurately cleaning data and producing a Principal Component Analysis plot, sources of variation graphs, and a Volcano plot to aid in biomarker discovery. Biomarker discovery helps identify and create treatments for diseases. We know that this tool is incredibly necessary and works for the many people who run into this problem. A previously tedious task can be completed quickly and by more people. MetabolonR will most immediately help the researchers in the field get through their procedures faster, which will eventually help all people. With drug development and testing happening more efficiently, more can be created and more people can be helped and healed.
