Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity (MoTrPAC)

Project Summary
The Molecular Transducers of Physical Activity Consortium (MoTrPAC) is generating a vast multi-omic, multi-
tissue, multi-species dataset. With these data, the Consortium will better understand the molecular effects of
exercise. Managing and analyzing this multidimensional dataset present significant bioinformatics and data
management challenges and opportunities. The MoTrPAC Bioinformatics Center (BIC) at Stanford has been
actively working to address these challenges and develop solutions that will scale well beyond the scope of the
MoTrPAC project. Successes include developing clear data standards, cloud-based data pipelines, and
integrations with external bioinformatics resources. The BIC adopts a dual approach, simultaneously creating &
sharing innovative tools to enhance data usability, while also supporting the Consortium's critical tasks. For the
next phase of MoTrPAC, we propose three specific aims. Aim 1 expands the BIC’s data management and
processing framework, enhancing the existing system for efficient data management and processing. This
includes ongoing development of cloud-based pipelines, ensuring quality control and data integrity, expanding
the data management system for secure storage and seamless sharing, and adhering to FAIR principles
(Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Re-use). These efforts will improve research efficiency,
reproducibility, and collaboration within the Consortium, as well as provide novel bioinformatics tools to the
wider scientific community. Aim 2 builds on previous expertise to advance methods for analyzing multi-omic,
multi-tissue, and cross-species data. We will facilitate integrated analysis using best practices across various
analytic stages, including quality control, differential expression analysis, and multi-omic integration across
tissues and clinical data. Additionally, we will develop cloud-based tools and infrastructure for sharing analysis
techniques within the Consortium and with the scientific community. These approaches will uncover not only
scientific insights but also a reproducible framework for multi-omic data analysis. Aim 3 seeks to disseminate
MoTrPAC data widely through multiple resources and external integrations. We will maximize the usability of
the MoTrPAC data resource for the scientific community. We will continually improve motrpac-datahub.org,
integrating tools for data queries and visualization, and share data and metadata with both external
repositories and the NIH Common Fund Data Ecosystem (CFDE). Alongside these efforts, outreach, training,
documentation, workshops, and tutorials will be provided to enhance user engagement. These approaches will
ensure broad accessibility and long-term usability of MoTrPAC data. With our established expertise,
experience, and tools, the BIC is well-prepared to continue serving the Consortium and fulfill the vision of
MoTrPAC, to uncover the molecular underpinnings of the health benefits of exercise.

Grant Number: 4U24OD036598-08
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Euan Ashley