PROJECT SUMMARY
The exposome is defined as the totality of exposures with which the public comes in contact, including
toxic chemicals. Exposures to these chemicals represents a huge burden on human health and diseases.
It is difficult to perform comprehensive safety assessment of all novel chemicals due to limited time and
funds. However, with the vast amount of biological data related to thousands of exposures and their
molecular targets, we hypothesize computational methods can be developed to accurately predict the
molecular actions and targets of new chemicals. In this proposal, we propose to implement and apply a
novel matrix completion algorithm named Coupled Matrix/Tensor-Matrix Completion (CM/TMC)
and Coupled Matrix/Tensor-Tensor Completion (CM/TTC) to predict the molecular targets and
target tissues of environmental chemical exposures at a large scale. The study proposed will be
accomplished through the following specific aims: 1) Apply and optimize the CM/TMC algorithm for
exposure-related datasets, comparing results to alternative methods, 2) Optimize the CM/TMC method for
exposure target tissue prediction, and 3) develop CM/TTC method on exposure-target predictions,
perform experimental validations, and establish a web portal for exposure-target prediction. This study
poses the first matrix completion-based method on exposure molecular target predictions and target
tissue predictions. The primary goal of the mentored (K99) phase of the award is to provide the candidate
with additional training in data science and toxicology for him to acquire scientific independence and
successfully accomplish his career objectives. The K99 phase will be conducted at the University of
Michigan (UM), under the mentorship of Drs. Maureen Sartor, Justin Colacino, Kayvan Najarian, and
Mario Medvedovic, who are experts in the respective fields. An interdisciplinary team of advisors will
assist the candidate in his research and career development. After the completion of the K99 phase, the
candidate will be well prepared to be an independent investigator.
