Contact:
Houston Baker, Ph.D.
Program Director
Biomedical Imaging Program
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute
Telephone: (301) 496-9531
Email: hb4s@nih.gov
or
Laurence P. Clarke, Ph.D.
Branch Chief: Imaging Technology Branch
Biomedical Imaging Program
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
National Cancer Institute
Telephone: (301) 496-9531
Email: lclarke@mail.nih.gov
Objective of Project
The intent of this RFA is to establish a network consisting of inter-disciplinary, inter-institutional research teams for the purpose of supporting translational research for optical methods using pre-clinical models and/or human investigations. The network is to be named the “Network for Translational Research for Optical Imaging, and will operate under the guidance of a Steering Committee. The primary objective is to support a network of approximately three multi-disciplinary research teams. Each team would include academic institutions, academic/national laboratories or NIH intramural programs. Broad multi-disciplinary teams that include molecular biologists and chemists, in addition to physicists, optical and computer engineers, imaging scientists and physicians will be strongly encouraged. Involvement of basic scientists who may not have a specific research record in cancer research, but who have the potential to provide critical experience for the success of this network are considered important. Partnerships with industry may be included to enhance technology dissemination.
Description of Project
The network will be a consortium with sufficient flexibility and funding incentives to encourage research collaboration and data sharing to accelerate the timetable for translational research, including validation of the optical imaging methods for specific cancer applications. Molecular imaging methods will be strongly encouraged. The research scope is envisioned to include the detection and classification of pre-cancerous lesions, cancer detection and diagnosis, and measurement of response to therapy. The teams will be selected to ensure that the above network goals will be met.