Establishment of the WNY spatial biology resource center

The University of Rochester Medical Center received a $7.16 million Project Grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of the Director under the Construction Support program (CFDA 93.352) to establish the Western New York Spatial Biology Research Center (SBRC). The award, effective September 15, 2025, with a completion date of February 28, 2027, will fund the development of 5,700 square feet of wet-lab and dry-lab space dedicated to spatial 'omics research capabilities. The SBRC will integrate tissue processing, histology, genomics, and bioinformatics/data analytics into a unified research facility centrally located at the institution and positioned near the Wilmot Biobank to facilitate collaborative research.

The facility will serve as a comprehensive hub for spatial 'omics research—a transformative technology that analyzes genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics, and other molecular profiles while preserving spatial relationships between cells and tissues. Key deliverables include the establishment of modernized data analytics collaborative space equipped with advanced IT infrastructure to process large-scale spatial 'omics datasets and develop novel analytical techniques. By centralizing institutional expertise in histology, genomics, and bioinformatics, the SBRC will enable validation and discovery at unprecedented scale while fostering interdisciplinary partnerships with regional and national research partners to accelerate scientific discovery in biomedical and biological research.

Abstract

The university of rochester medical center (urmc) is committed to advancing research excellence by providing state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technologies for biomedical and biological research. Spatial 'omics is transformative new technology that seeks to harness the power of 'omics (EG. Genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, lipidomics) to provide a deep molecular profile of individual cells in a way that maintains the spatial relationships that exist between cells and their surroundings in intact tissues. The urmc proposes the establishment of the western new york spatial biology research center (sbrc). This pioneering initiative will integrate tissue processing, histology, genomics, and bioinformatics/data analytics into a unified organizational entity, closely integrated with tissue and biobanking efforts. The 5,700 square feet of wet- and dry-lab space is centrally located to researchers where the sbrc will serve as a comprehensive hub for spatial omics research, enabling validation and discovery at an unprecedented scale. By centralizing URS expertise in histology, genomics, and bioinformatics and positioning the sbrc near the wilmot biobank, we will foster innovative collaborations, enhance accessibility, and streamline research to accelerate scientific discovery. We will develop data analytics excellence by establishing a modernized data analytics collaborative space, equipped with advanced IT infrastructure, to enable the analysis of large-scale spatial 'omics datasets and to develop novel analytical techniques integrating multilevel 'omics data. Additionally, the creation of this new collaborative dry-lab space will catalyze interdisciplinary partnerships and the development of novel research methodologies. Through dynamic collaborations with our regional and national partners, the sbrc will serve as a central hub for transformative cross-disciplinary science. Our commitment to training the next generation of researchers will ensure that scientists are equipped with cutting-edge skills in spatial omics, empowering them to tackle urgent scientific challenges and discover life-changing cures. The sbrc is strategically positioned to elevate translational research in key areas such as musculoskeletal diseases, cancer biology, autoimmunity, and neuroscience. By providing researchers with access to cutting-edge methodologies, sbrc will empower new scientific breakthroughs. Moreover, IT aligns with the university of rochester's educational mission by offering advanced training in bioinformatics and data analysis, thereby broadening the adoption of spatial omics across diverse research domains. This initiative represents a transformative step forward in promoting research excellence at the university of rochester and beyond. By fostering critical advancements in health-related research and serving as a regional resource for translational discovery and education, sbrc will solidify urmc's position as a leader in biomedical innovation.