Background: In silico data exploration is a key first step of exploring a research question. There are many publicly available databases and tools that offer appealing features to help with such a task. However, many applications lack exposure or are constrained with unfriendly or outdated user interfaces. Thus, it follows that there are many resources that are relevant to investigation of medical disorders that are underutilized. Results: We developed an R Shiny web application, called Kaleidoscope, to address this challenge. The application offers access to several omics databases and tools to let users explore research questions in silico . The application is designed to be user- friendly with a unified user interface, while also scalable by offering the option of uploading user-defined datasets. We demonstrate the application features with a starting query of a single gene (Disrupted in schizophrenia 1, DISC1) to assess its protein-protein interactions network. We then explore expression levels of the gene network across tissues and cell types in the brain, as well as across 34 schizophrenia versus control differential gene expression datasets. Conclusion: Kaleidoscope provides easy access to several databases and tools under a unified user interface to explore research questions in silico . The web application is open-source and freely available at https://kalganem.shinyapps.io/Kaleidoscope/ . This application streamlines the process of in silico data exploration for users and expands the efficient use of these tools to stakeholders without specific bioinformatics expertise.

Transplantation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells (NPCs) is a promising regenerative strategy to promote neural repair following injury and degeneration because of the ability of these cells to proliferate, migrate, and integrate with the host tissue. Precise in vitro control of NPC proliferation without compromising multipotency and differentiation ability is critical in stem cell maintenance. This idea was highlighted in recent clinical trials, where discrepancies in NPC culturing protocols produced inconsistent therapeutic benefits. Of note, cell density plays an important role in regulating the survival, proliferation, differentiation, and fate choice of stem cells. To determine the extent of variability produced by inconsistent culturing densities, the present study cultured human-induced pluripotent NPCs (hiPSC-NPCs) at either a low or high plating density. hiPSC-NPCs were then isolated for transcriptomic analysis or differentiation in vitro. Following sequencing analysis, genes involved in cell–cell contact-mediated pathways, including Hippo-signaling, NOTCH, and WNT were differentially expressed. Modulation of these pathways was highly associated with the regulation of pro-neuronal transcription factors, which were also upregulated in response to higher-density hiPSC-NPC culture. Moreover, higher plating density translated into a greater neuronal and less astrocytic differentiation in vitro. This study highlights the importance of precisely controlling culture conditions during the development of NPC transplantation therapies.