UCSF_UBC_HREMP
UCSF-UBC Human Reference Epigenome Mapping Project
We are working cooperatively with other Mapping Centers and the Data Coordination Center (EDACC)  to comprehensively map epigenomes of select human cells with significant relevance to complex human disease. Our group, consisting of scientists at UCSF, UC Davis, UCSC and the British Columbia Genome Sciences Centre will focus on cells relevant to human health and complex disease including cells from the blood, brain,  breast and U.S. Government-approved lines of human embryonic stem cells. We will incorporate  high quality, homogeneous cells from males and females, and two predominant racial groups, and biological  replicates of each cell type. Production of comprehensive maps will include 6 histone modifications selected  for their opposing roles in regulating active and inactive chromatin, DNA methylation and  miRNA and gene expression. This epigenetic data, along with genetic and expression data will be  integrated using advanced informatics to address fundamental roles of epigenetics in differentiation,  maintenance of cell-type identity and gene expression. Our cell and data production pipeline will incorporate  verification and data validation with independent methods, and will operate under a model motivated by  increased data production and decrease cost. We summarize the analysis capacity of our instruments and  our explicit strategy for data sharing of our proposed REMC-generated resources including biological  specimens, protocols, data, software tools and intellectual resources. We envision that our group in  conjunction with the other REMC teams, the EDACC, ENCODE, future EHHD (Epigenetics of Human Health  and Disease) centers and the NIH Roadmap program will develop methods, tools and reference epigenome  maps for the research community that will make the promise of epigenetics in understand and treating  human complex disease a reality. Our reference epigenomes will enable new disciplines including human  population epigenetics, comparative epigenomics, neuroepigenetics, and therapeutic epigenetics for tissue  regeneration and reversal of disease. For data usage terms and conditions, please refer to:   http://www.drugabuse.gov/funding/funding-opportunities/nih-common-fund/epigenomics-data-access-policies
The epigenome is the dynamic interface between our changing environment and the static genome, and  understanding it is a goal of immense importance to human health. We will map reference cell epigenomes of the brain, breast, blood and approved embryonic stem cells, inclusive of males and females and different  racial groups. This cooperative work will transform our understanding of the short and long-lasting  consequences of environment impact on human health and disease.