TransXplorer: An Automated End-to-End Web Server for Translational RNA-seq Analysis and Therapeutic Discovery
Part of: Population-scale Phenotypes, Drug Discovery & TransXplorer
Varinder Madhav Verma
PhD Candidate
About the Presenter
Varinder Madhav Verma is a Ph.D. Candidate in Molecular Biology and Genetics at the University of Alberta (Jan 2024–Present), focusing on transcriptomics and RNA-seq analysis. He holds a Master of Science in Systems Biology and Bioinformatics from Panjab University (2021–2023). His research expertise includes transcriptomic data analysis, machine learning and AI integration, and the identification of prognostic biomarkers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma (KIRC). He has used bioinformatics tools such as R, Python, Linux, and IPA to perform tasks including mutational and transcriptomic analyses and model development.
TransXplorer bridges the gap between RNA-seq data and therapeutic discovery. This free, no-login web server automates complex bioinformatics workflows, including:
- Quantitative batch effect detection and correction using quantitative metrics (PVCA, kBET, Silhouette)
- Multi-algorithm differential expression analysis (DESeq2/edgeR/limma)
- Pathway enrichment analysis
- WGCNA co-expression networks
- Cell-type deconvolution
Drug-Target Discovery Module: Its unique drug-target discovery module queries DGIdb and Open Targets in real time, mapping differentially expressed genes directly to FDA-approved drugs and clinical trial candidates, enabling immediate hypothesis generation for translational research.
Clinical Validation: It also helps in clinical validation of human candidate genes against the TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) database by providing Kaplan-Meier survival analysis results.
- Event:
- Population-scale Phenotypes, Drug Discovery & TransXplorer
- Date:
- Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Time:
- 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
- Location:
-
Room ED 265, Education Building South, University of Alberta
University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Population-scale human phenotypes to find novel drug targets and insights into the global burden of disease
by Gane Wong
Professor
Department of Biological Sciences
University of Alberta
This presentation explores a new approach to finding new medicines using data from millions of people. Instead of developing drugs in the traditional way, this method uses health records and …