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5. Institute-Initiated Programs Starting in FY
2008
More than two-thirds of the research supported by the
NHLBI is initiated by individual investigators; the remainder is initiated by
the Institute. Institute-initiated programs are developed in response to
evolving national needs, Congressional mandates, and advances in scientific
knowledge. Each initiative represents the outcome of extensive discussions and
thorough reviews by representatives of the scientific community, Institute
advisory committees, the Board of Extramural Experts (BEE), and the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council (NHLBAC). The advisory committees and
the BEE, together with professional societies and NHLBI staff, continually
review the progress of research within the NHLBI program areas, assess newly
acquired knowledge, and identify research topics that offer the best
opportunities or constitute the greatest needs. This planning process
contributes to policy development at the national level by setting priorities
among programs and establishing budgets for individual programs and
projects.
Initiatives generally emanate as Requests for
Applications (RFAs) for grants, including cooperative agreements, or Requests
for Proposals (RFPs) for contracts. Other initiatives take the form of Program
Announcements (PAs). Applications and proposals submitted in response to RFAs
and RFPs compete among themselves for specific "set-aside" funds. Applications
submitted in response to PAs generally compete with other
investigator-initiated applications for funding.
RFA, RFP, and PA concepts prepared by the Institute
are presented to the BEE, which reviews and prioritizes them. The concepts,
along with the comments from the BEE, are then sent to the NHLBAC for review,
comment, and concurrence. Initiatives that receive the concurrence of the
NHLBAC are considered further by the NHLBI Director in the context of the
Institute's budget, program priorities, review workload, and proposed
mechanisms. These considerations guide the Director's subsequent decisions to
approve initiatives for release. RFAs, RFPs, and PAs are announced in the NIH
Guide to Grants and Contracts.
Applications and proposals submitted in response to
RFAs and RFPs are reviewed by the NHLBI. Applications submitted in response to
PAs are reviewed by the NIH Center for Scientific Review.
Descriptions of the Institute-initiated programs that
began or were renewed (i.e., were funded) in FY 2008 are presented below
according to NHLBI scientific programs. Also described are trans-NIH,
trans-PHS, interagency, and private-public partnership initiatives in which the
NHLBI participates.
Heart and Vascular Diseases Program
Initiatives Being Renewed
Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS): Transition
Phase
The purpose of this renewal is to maintain the
infrastructure that provides access to CHS resources and expertise, scientific
collaborations, and mentorship of early-career investigators.
Framingham Heart Study
The purpose of this renewal is to continue support for
the Framingham Heart Study in order to increase understanding about the complex
influences of genes and environment on development and progression of heart,
lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders.
Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)
The purpose of this renewal is to capitalize and
expand upon the resources of data, samples, and infrastructure of the MESA
cohort, which was established to identify factors associated with the
progression of subclinical CVD in four major racial/ethnic groups within the
U.S. population (white, black, Hispanic, and Chinese).
Women's Health Initiative Memory Study
The purpose of this renewal is to continue to test the
effects of hormone therapy on cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, and
probable dementia in postmenopausal women.
New Initiatives
Mechanisms and Management of Cardiovascular and
Metabolic Complications of HIV/AIDS
The purpose of this RFA is to elucidate the underlying
mechanisms of metabolic and anthropometric abnormalities in HIV patients
receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy and to determine their
relationship to CVD risk; to evaluate biomarkers and imaging modalities in the
assessment of coronary artery disease and risk; and to identify treatment
strategies and interventional approaches to reduce cardiovascular risk while
optimizing medical management of HIV infection.
New Approaches in Arrhythmia Detection and
Treatment
The purpose of this PA is to develop new or improved
methods, tools, and technologies to detect, treat, and prevent cardiac
arrhythmias. Back to Top
Lung Diseases Program
New Initiatives
Molecular Phenotypes for Lung Disease
The purpose of this initiative is to identify
molecular phenotypes of major lung diseases that will lead to improved
diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment of these diseases.
Protein Interactions Governing Membrane Transport in
Pulmonary Health and Disease
The purpose of this PA is to delineate the protein
interactions and pathways governing membrane trafficking pathways operative in
pulmonary health and disease and develop innovative therapeutic
interventions.
Small Grants for Lung Tissue Research
The purpose of this RFA is to conduct tissue-based
research on COPD and interstitial fibrotic lung conditions. Scientists will use
biospecimens and clinical data collected by the Lung Tissue Research Consortium
to study the correlation of lung molecular characteristics with histopathology
and presence, severity, and phenotypic manifestations of interstitial lung
diseases and COPD. Back to Top
Blood Diseases and Resources
Program
Initiatives Being Renewed
Basic and Translational Research Program
The NHLBI reconfigured the Comprehensive Sickle Cell
Centers program to the Basic and Translational Research Program. This program
emphasizes fundamental investigations and their translation into initial
studies in humans, as well as community translation to promote evidence-based
clinical practice. It continues to support the Sickle Cell Disease Scholars
program for the career development of young investigators and the
Summer-for-Sickle Cell-Science program for research training and mentoring of
high school students.
Pediatric Hydroxyurea Phase III Clinical Trial (BABY
HUG) Follow-Up Study
The purpose of this renewal is to follow up for 2
years the infants and toddlers who have sickle cell anemia who participated in
the BABY HUG trial to identify toxicities and any persistent effects from
treatment with hydroxyurea to prevent chronic organ damage.
Back to Top
Trans-NHLBI
Initiatives Being Renewed
NHLBI Career Transition Award
The purpose of this renewal is to enable highly
qualified postdoctoral fellows to obtain research training in the NHLBI
Division of Intramural Research and to facilitate their successful transition
to an extramural environment as independent researchers.
Short-Term Research Education Program To Increase
Diversity in Health-Related Research
The purpose of this renewal is to provide
opportunities to students who are from underrepresented racial and ethnic
minorities or disadvantaged backgrounds, or who have disabilities to become
exposed to biomedical research to stimulate career development in areas
relevant to cardiovascular, lung, and blood diseases and sleep disorders.
New Initiatives
Biorepository and Limited Access Data Set Information
Coordinating Center
The purpose of this RFP is to establish a
Biorepository and Limited Access Data Information Coordinating Center
(BioLINCC), which will be responsible for establishing and maintaining an
infrastructure to facilitate and maximize access to the NHLBI Biologic Specimen
Repository and Limited Access Data Set programs.
Deep Vein Thrombosis and Venous Disease
The purpose of this RFA is to support collaborative
basic and clinical research on deep vein thrombosis and venous thrombotic
diseases to improve diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of venous thrombotic
diseases.
Elucidating Nature's Solutions to Heart, Lung, and
Blood Diseases and Sleep Disorder Processes
The purpose of this PA is to elucidate the natural
molecular and cellular adaptations of mammalian species to extreme
environmental conditions that would rapidly evoke life-threatening
cardiovascular or respiratory responses.
Individual Predoctoral MD/PhD Fellowships
The purpose of this PA is to provide research training
to applicants in combined MD/PhD programs who have the potential to become
productive, independent physician-scientists in areas relevant to the mission
of the NHLBI.
Investigator-Initiated Multi-Site Clinical
Trials
The purpose of this PA is to support
investigator-initiated multisite (Phase II or Phase III) randomized, controlled
clinical trials related to the mission of the NHLBI. The trials may involve
clinical or behavioral interventions.
New Approaches to Non-Viral Systems for Gene Transfer
Applications for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases
The purpose of this PA is to develop efficient
non-viral vectors that can overcome limitations of viral vectors for gene
therapy clinical trials in heart, lung, and blood diseases.
Randomized Trial of Genotype-Guided Dosing of
Warfarin Therapy
The purpose of this RFP is to determine whether use of
a genotype-enhanced dosing algorithm to initiate warfarin treatment improves
anticoagulation status compared to a dosing algorithm using only clinical
information.
Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants
The purpose of this PA is to test the effectiveness of
interventions that are based on strategies designed to promote healthy
lifestyles and prevent or ameliorate disease in defined populations and improve
delivery of proven efficacious treatment in clinical practice.
Right Heart Function in Health and Chronic Lung
Diseases
The purpose of this PA is to stimulate research on
cellular, molecular, and physiological determinants of right ventricular
function in health and dysfunction in chronic lung diseases. The goal is to
gain knowledge that can be used to develop improved methods for preventing,
diagnosing, and treating right heart failure. Back to
Top
Trans-NIH
Initiatives Being Renewed
Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative
The purpose of this renewal is to develop and apply
nanotechnology to biomedicine.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Pathophysiology and
Treatment
The purpose of this renewal is to examine the
etiology, diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome
in diverse groups and across the lifespan.
Chronic Illness Self-Management in Children and
Adolescents
The purpose of this renewal is to improve the
self-management and quality of life of children and adolescents with chronic
illnesses. Self-management is intended to enhance individual well-being and
strengthen patient participation in health care while reducing inappropriate
health care use and health care costs.
Data Resource for Analyzing Blood and Marrow
Transplants
The purpose of this renewal is to continue support of
the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research, a resource
for data from blood and bone marrow transplant centers throughout the
world.
Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and
Technology
The purpose of this renewal is to support fundamental
research in biomedical information science and technology and to develop new
informatics, computational and mathematical tools, and technologies that can
speed progress in biomedical research.
Mind-Body Interactions and Health
The purpose of this renewal is to increase
understanding of the processes underlying mind-body interactions and health and
to apply the knowledge gained to interventions and clinical practice to promote
health and prevent or treat disease and disabilities.
Novel Approaches To Enhance Animal Stem Cell
Research
The purpose of this renewal is to enhance the utility
of animal stem cells as model biological systems. Researchers will focus on
isolation and characterization of embryonic and other multipotent stem cells in
a variety of animal species.
Pathogenesis and Treatment of Lymphedema and
Lymphatic Diseases
The purpose of this renewal is to stimulate research
on the lymphatic system, characterize its function and pathophysiologic
mechanisms that cause disease, develop new methods for imaging and quantitating
lymph flow, and discover new therapeutic interventions for lymphatic
diseases.
Social and Cultural Dimensions of Health
The purpose of this renewal is to encourage the
development of health research that integrates knowledge from biomedical and
social sciences.
Back to Top
New Initiatives
Advancing Novel Science in Women's Health
Research
The purpose of this PA is to support innovative,
interdisciplinary research that will develop new concepts in women's health
research and the study of gender differences. Researchers are encouraged to
examine the role of gender on women's health.
Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children
The purpose of this RFA is to improve graft acceptance
and patient/graft survival in pediatric heart, lung, liver, kidney or
intestinal transplant recipients by assessing risk factors, testing novel drug
treatments, and developing diagnostic tools.
Collaborations With National Centers for Biomedical
Computing
The purpose of this PA is to support investigators
working in collaboration with the National Centers for Biomedical Computing
(NCBCs) of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research to build a computational
infrastructure for biomedical computing and expand the scope of biological,
behavioral, and computational problems currently being addressed by the
NCBCs.
Development and Application of New Technologies to
Targeted Genome-Wide Resequencing in Well-Phenotyped Populations
The purpose of this RFA is to develop and validate
resequencing applications for cost-effective, high-throughput sequencing of
every exon of all protein coding genes in the human genome by assembling
current and emerging technologies in the areas of DNA target capture and
sequencing. The purpose of developing these resequencing applications is to
enable the sequencing of thousands of individual DNA samples in well-phenotyped
populations in a cost-effective manner.
Exploratory/Developmental Investigations on Primary
Immunodeficiency Diseases
The purpose of this PA is to stimulate
exploratory/developmental investigations in primary immunodeficiency diseases
by supporting research to characterize and determine the molecular basis for
the diseases and develop clinical strategies for their diagnosis and
treatment.
Improving Diet and Physical Activity Assessment
The purpose of this PA is to improve the quality of
measurements of diet and physical activity for use in general and diverse
populations through development of better instruments, technologies, and
statistical/analytical techniques.
Lymphatic Biology in Health and Disease
The purpose of this PA is to stimulate research to
identify developmental, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that contribute to
health and disease of the lymphatic system.
Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and
Social Sciences
The purpose of this PA is to improve the quality and
scientific power of data collected in behavioral and social sciences relevant
to the missions of the Institute through innovations in research design, data
collection techniques, measurement, and data analysis techniques.
Multidisciplinary Translational Research in Critical
Care
The purpose of this PA is to promote multidisciplinary
translational research that will improve treatment, diagnosis, and outcome of
patients with critical illness and increase understanding of fundamental
processes causing critical illness.
Sarcoidosis: Research Into the Cause of Multi-Organ
Disease and Clinical Strategies for Therapy
The purpose of this PA is to stimulate research on the
etiology and management of sarcoidosis, an immune-mediated granulomatous
inflammatory disorder, and to delineate possible causes and phenotypic host
characteristics in susceptible people so that preventive strategies can be
developed, early diagnosis improved, and better therapies devised to lessen
initial disease immunopathology.
Trans-PHS
New Initiatives
Small Business Innovation Research Contract
Solicitation
The purpose of this SBIR contract solicitation is to
encourage scientific and technological innovations in areas identified by the
Institute. Specific projects include production of generic modified hemoglobin
for research purposes and development of a computational model library of
cardiovascular and pulmonary anatomy and related blood and tissue material
properties.
Subpopulations and Intermediate Outcome Measures in
COPD Study
The purpose of this RFP is to define pathogenetically
homogeneous subgroups of COPD subjects on the basis of biomarkers, genotypes,
and computed tomography images and to identify intermediate outcome measures
for use in future clinical trials.
Interagency
New Initiative
Enabling Technologies for Tissue Engineering and
Regenerative Medicine
The purpose of this PA is to develop innovative
technologies, tools, methods, and devices that will enhance tissue engineering
and regenerative medicine. The overall goal is to engineer functional tissues
in vitro for implantation in vivo or to foster tissue regeneration directly in
vivo with the purpose of replacing, repairing, preserving, or enhancing organ
function lost due to disease, injury, or aging or for use as 3D tissue model
systems for drug development.
Private-Public Partnership
New Initiative
Understanding and Treating Ataxia-Telangiectasia
The purpose of this PA is to stimulate
multidisciplinary research to improve understanding of and develop treatments
for ataxia-telangiectasia. Back to Top
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