Initial Consultation

Basic Translational Informatics Unit (TiU) consultation services are offered by the Center for Biomedical Informatics (CBMi) free of charge. The scope of this service is defined within the section titled TiU's Collaborative Process.

Additional Consultation

Consultations that require substantial effort beyond the scope of what CBMi subsidizes require the research group to provide full or partial funding for full-time analysts who will complete the assessment. Consultations are prioritized on a case by case basis and are influenced by factors such as the potential for larger-scale adoption; alignment with Stokes, Children's Hospital, and national strategic directions; and the strength of the lab's research program.

Implementation and Ongoing Support

The solution identified by the consultation process sometimes requires that one or more full-time analysts are embedded within the customer's research environment for an extended period of time. Typically, the research group or a sponsoring agency will need to provide funding for these analysts for duration required to implement the solution.

The Leasing Model

Depending upon the complexity of a customer's informatics needs, TiU may assign a customer one full-time analyst or several part-time analysts. Providing several part-time analysts allows TiU to respond to customers' changing informatics needs by assigning analysts who specialize in specific portions of the consultation, This "leasing" model is easier to staff and sustain than providing one individual who "knows everything" and it allows the TiU to build a diverse talent pool that can be deployed as needed throughout the research enterprise.

Please see the case study of the Collaboration Between the Center for Childhood Cancer Research and TiU for an example of this model in action.

Disclaimer

TiU is a new venture designed as a response to the high demand for lab-based informatics solutions considered to be of substantial value to the research community at Children's Hospital. The consultative and funding models are also new, and quickly evolving.

Please don't hesitate to suggest alternate funding models or additional ways in which CBMi can accommodate your needs through the TiU.