HLBS-PopOmics: An Online Knowledge Base to Accelerate Dissemination and Implementation of Research Advances in Population Genomics to Reduce the Burden of Heart, Lung, Blood, and Sleep Disorders

George A Mensah 1, Wei Yu 2, Whitney L Barfield 3, Mindy Clyne 4, Michael M Engelgau 3, Muin J Khoury 2

Affiliations

PMID: 30197419
PMCID: PMC6402952
DOI: 10.1038/s41436-018-0118-1

Abstract

Recent dramatic advances in multiomics research coupled with exponentially increasing volume, complexity, and interdisciplinary nature of publications are making it challenging for scientists to stay up-to-date on the literature. Strategies to address this challenge include the creation of online databases and warehouses to support timely and targeted dissemination of research findings. Although most of the early examples have been in cancer genomics and pharmacogenomics, the approaches used can be adapted to support investigators in heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) disorders research. In this article, we describe the creation of an HLBS population genomics (HLBS-PopOmics) knowledge base as an online, continuously updated, searchable database to support the dissemination and implementation of studies and resources that are relevant to clinical and public health practice. In addition to targeted searches based on the HLBS disease categories, cross-cutting themes reflecting the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics research; systematic evidence reviews; and clinical practice guidelines supporting screening, detection, evaluation, and treatment are also emphasized in HLBS-PopOmics. Future updates of the knowledge base will include additional emphasis on transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and other omics research; explore opportunities for leveraging data sets designed to support scientific discovery; and incorporate advanced machine learning bioinformatics capabilities.