Data Science, Computational Biology, & Bioinformatics Program
Overview
The Data Science, Computational Biology, and Bioinformatics Program promotes data-driven research in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) biology, disorders, and health disparities to inform and develop prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapies of DOC disorders for all individuals. The program priorities include Big Data and multimodal data sharing and integration into data ecosystems, as well as development and application of data science tools, including artificial intelligence/machine learning/deep learning (AI/ML/DL) and computational methods, in all foundational, translational, and clinical areas of NIDCR’s strategic interests. Relevant research topics include, but are not limited to:
- Computational modeling and/or AI-based optimization for classification, prognosis, diagnosis, treatment planning, and assessment of treatment outcomes for dental care and diseases of DOC concern and abnormalities
- Maximizing the reuse of research, health, and clinical data, and enabling data-driven research in DOC biology, health, and health disparities by making existing and new data FAIR, AI/ML/DL-ready, and development of Common Data Elements, ontological systems, natural language processing capabilities, large language models (LLMs) and other data analytics for DOC research
- Development of robust analytics to accommodate integration of multiple data types (e.g., RNA-Seq-based diagnostics and pathology information; electronic medical and dental records) and data volume, to serve research and clinical application
- Bioethics research in privacy, confidentiality, and bias issues related to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of research and clinical data, as well as the re-use of data for different research questions―particularly with regard to facial images, genetic variants, multi-omics, other deep phenotyping data, and associated metadata collected during prenatal, postnatal, and throughout adulthood
Related Resources
Staff Contact
Program Officer
Data Science, Computational Biology, & Bioinformatics Program