Web-based Application for Integrating Cancer Genetic Vulnerabilities and Drug Sensitivities
DepLink is a web-based application built using R Shiny that integrates diverse datasets, including genome-wide CRISPR loss-of-function screens, high-throughput pharmacologic assays, and gene expression perturbation signatures. It is organized into four modules that allow users to query potential inhibitors for one or multiple genes, elucidate drug mechanisms, and identify compounds with similar biochemical profiles. The platform also facilitates the visualization and systematic analysis of large-scale dependency maps, supporting validation studies that link drug effects to genetic knockouts, as exemplified by its analysis of CDK6.
Description
This technology stands out due to its comprehensive integration and user-friendly design, enabling advanced exploration of genetic vulnerabilities and pharmacologic dependencies in cancer. Unlike other tools that offer basic visualization or correlation analysis, its modular structure supports multifaceted queries across genes and drugs, bridging critical research gaps. These innovative features provide researchers with a refined workflow for detailed interrogation of genetic and drug sensitivity landscapes, enhancing the potential for discovering novel therapeutic strategies.Applications
- Personalized cancer treatment design- Drug repurposing candidate identification
- Targeted oncology drug discovery
- Mechanism of action elucidation
- Pharmacogenomics data integration
Advantages
- Integrates diverse datasets (CRISPR screens, pharmacologic screens, gene expression) for comprehensive analysis.- Offers a user-friendly interface with systematic navigation, visualization, and analysis tools.
- Enables flexible querying across single or multiple genes to identify potential inhibitors and reveal drug mechanisms.
- Validates drug effects by correlating phenotypes with genetic knockouts, supporting the discovery of novel gene-drug relationships.
- Fills existing tool gaps by providing systematic, cross-gene/drug analyses not supported by current platforms.