Contact:

Daniela S. Gerhard, Ph.D.
Director, Office of Cancer Genomics
National Cancer Institute
National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room 10A07
31 Center Drive
Bethesda, MD 20892
Telephone: (301) 451-8027
FAX: (301) 480-4368
E-mail: gerhardd@mail.nih.gov

Objective of Project:

This funding opportunity is part of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA, http://cancergenome.nih.gov/) Pilot Project recently announced by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to accelerate the understanding of genomic alterations associated with the initiation and pathological progression of human cancers. The Cancer Genome Atlas Pilot Project will explore the feasibility and benefits of a systematic effort to rigorously and comprehensively characterize molecular alterations of specific tumor types and sub-types. In keeping with the strategic goals of TCGA initiative, the NCI and the NHGRI solicit applications for research projects proposing the development of highly innovative genomic analysis technologies for the characterization of cancer biospecimens and control tissue.

Description of Project:

This funding opportunity uses the NIH SBIR (R43, R44, and R43/R44 Fast-Track) Exploratory/Developmental mechanisms and runs in parallel with 2 other FOAs of similar scientific scope using the R21 and STTR (R41, R42, and R41/R42 Fast-Track) Exploratory/Developmental mechanisms.

For the purposes of this RFA, the term “technology” encompasses methods and tools that enable research including, but not limited to techniques and instrumentation and/or devices. “Genomic characterization technologies” refer to the examination of the complete transcriptome, genome and epigenome of a cell. In particular, technologies solicited include those that are suitable for the detection of those alterations in the transcriptome, genome, or epigenome which may play a role in cancer. Technology is distinct from databases, reagents, and tissue repositories. Applications for the support of such resources will not be considered responsive to this RFA.

This RFA is designed both to support the development of new technologies and to demonstrate that such technologies are robust and capable of yielding reproducible measurements of cancer-associated features in the cancer genome, epigenome, and/or transcriptome with greater sensitivity and accuracy. Significant improvement of current whole-genome, low-throughput, and low-sensitivity technologies will be also considered under this RFA. To be considered responsive to this RFA, research plans must focus on technologies that are applicable to small samples (consisting of 1000 or fewer cells) and from samples that are flash frozen, embedded and frozen in a cryopreservation medium, such as optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound or paraffin embedded. Applicants may submit more than one application in response to this RFA provided that such applications are scientifically distinct.