Biomedical Informatics

The CTSI Informatics Core’s mission is to enable clinical and translational investigators in all phases of the research lifecycle through the innovative collection and use of biomedical data.

The Core seeks to enable translational research by providing access to electronic health records (EHRs) for research, informatics tools, and enabling innovative use of biomedical data. It works with individual investigators and participates in institutional as well as national projects.

The Core provides assistance in obtaining and managing EHRs and other biomedical data. It deploys novel informatics tools and provides training in their use to research facilitators and investigators. Examples of such tools include the ACT platform for self-service cohort discovery using EHRs, REDCap for managing online surveys, and the Pitt Biorepository Database (PDB). In addition, the Core facilitates multidisciplinary research efforts that include informatics as a key component.

At the institutional level, the Core maintains Neptune, a research data warehouse that integrates and harmonizes EHRs from UPMC. Based upon Neptune, the Core also operates the Health Record Research Request (R3) service.

At the national level, the Core participates in the All of Us Research Program, the PaTH Clinical Research Network and the Genomic Information Commons (GIC).