Core Programs

Clinical and Laboratory Informatics Core

• PEDIGENE^®
  
• Nautilus
  

The Clinical and Laboratory Informatics Core of the CHG manages the research-computing network, data management tools, and provides database and general computer programming support for research projects and administration.

The cornerstone of the Duke CHG informatics system is PEDIGENE^®, a flexible integrated system for managing large databases containing clinical, pedigree, molecular, and DNA sample data. PEDIGENE^® has been used to provide data storage, data description, and data analysis support for all studies conducted by CHG investigators and their collaborators.

PEDIGENE^® has been adapted to house massive and detailed information: clinical information, marker information and genotypes for a large number of genetic markers on samples of thousands of families and tens of thousands of individuals. The PEDIGENE^® system has stored family history information on over 500,000 individuals and 6,000 families. Information is stored on nearly 100,000 DNA samples and over 6.5 million genotypes. In the course of collaborative studies we have developed methods for secure access to our database and software for collaborators outside the Duke CHG. Thus, we have experience in distributing data to and accepting data from a wide variety of data types, sources, and formats Collaborators can access PEDIGENE^® from their local research facilities.

In conjunction with PEDIGENE^®, the CHG operates the Nautilus^TM Laboratory Information Management system (LIMS). LIMS is a server/fat client application developed by ThermoLabSystems. Nautilus^TM in the CHG offers a secure, user-friendly way to track, collect, move, and store sample and laboratory data. Flow modules have been designed to manage requisition processing, storage location and sample availability, extraction, storage and allocation amounts, client billing and laboratory supply information.

The clinical and laboratory informatics core performs the following essential functions for the Duke CHG and their collaborators:

• Manage an extensive local area network of Windows-based PCs for office productivity applications and UNIX workstations for scientific computing.
  
• Maintain and extend the PEDIGENE^® system: a secure, HIPAA-compliant, research database for storage of clinical, epidemiologic, and genetic data.
  
• Provide applications for entering data into and extracting data from PEDIGENE^®.
  
• Administer Nautilus^TM LIMS facilitate tracking of samples, reagents, and laboratory results.
  
• Develop user tools from the genetic epidemiology and statistical genetics group for data analysis.
  

The mission of the clinical and laboratory informatics core is to provide Duke CHG faculty, staff, and collaborators with integrated informatics solutions in support of human genetics and genomics research.


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