Computing and Information

The Fox Chase Cancer Center Computing and Information Facilities are a group of facilities dealing with the use of information technology and quantitative methods in support of clinical, population and basic research.

Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility*

The Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Facility is a shared institutional resource for statistical and bioinformatics consulting and related methodological research. Specific aims of the facility are to:

• Coordinate and manage biostatistics and bioinformatics activities to ensure that investigators have ready access to quantitative consultation and support
• Provide statistical and bioinformatics expertise in the design of experiments and studies, including research proposal development, sample size determination, randomization procedures and plans for interim reviews and final analysis
• Provide data analyses for Cancer Center projects using appropriate statistical, bioinformatics and computing methodologies, and to assist in the interpretation and presentation of results
• Provide statistics and bioinformatics sections of research proposals and manuscripts
• Review the integrity and statistical soundness of all studies involving human subjects, in conjunction with the Research Review Committee
• Collaborate with the protocol office in the development of protocols and monitoring and reporting of clinical data
• Maintain a library of up-to-date statistics and bioinformatics software
• When appropriate, develop specialized biostatistics and bioinformatics methods needed to support specific Cancer Center projects

Population Studies Facility*

The Population Studies Facility at Fox Chase provides critical informatics infrastructure and project-specific information systems for Cancer Center members. Our staff provides informatics solutions, and trains investigators, research assistants, data coordinators and laboratory technicians in their use. Our group develops and maintains information systems that facilitate investigator-initiated activities. Specific aims of the facility are to:

• Provide Cancer Center members with a stable team of information systems professionals with state-of- the-art software design and engineering skills appropriate to cancer research.
• Provide and support study-specific, customized information systems for capture, storage, manipulation and presentation of large quantities of clinical, questionnaire, specimen and laboratory data.
• Provide information system solutions to support the operations and data collection, management and retrieval activities of CCSG-supported FCCC facilities and other research support operations.
• Facilitate FCCC research by delivering data warehousing solutions that integrate data from diverse sources and provide controlled information exchange and reporting.

* CCSG facilities