Epigenomics

Program Initiatives

REFERENCE EPIGENOME MAPPING CENTERS

This initiative is being issued as a cooperative agreement (U01) to support reference epigenome production centers that will develop reference epigenomes of a variety of human cells. The cell types will be selected by the network of awardees with advice from an international committee, but are likely to include human embryonic stem cells, differentiating cells, selected differentiated cell lines representative of human disease, and select human primary cells that are relevant to complex human disease. These reference epigenomes will serve as a resource and be utilized by the scientific community to identify potential therapeutic targets, enhance understanding of disease mechanisms, provide additional insights to genetic susceptibility of disease, pursue therapeutic opportunities in stem cell based and tissue regeneration strategies, and to understand normal differentiation, development, and aging/senescence. This RFA is due to release in Fall 2007, with funding expected to begin in Fall 2008.

EPIGENOMICS DATA ANALYSIS AND COORDINATION CENTER (EDACC)

This cooperative agreement (U01) will fund the Epigenomics Data Analysis and Coordination Center (EDACC), which will provide data analysis and coordination for all of the Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers, as well as import all other Roadmap Epigenomics Program data generated outside of the mapping centers. In addition, the EDACC will be responsible for coordinating with the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to develop and implement a data pipeline for transferring and tracking standardized data to NCBI for banking and public utility. This RFA is due to release in Fall 2007, with funding expected to begin in Fall 2008.

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN EPIGENOMICS

This initiative will support technology development in two important areas of epigenetics research. The first area is to develop technologies that will revolutionize epigenetic profiling and/or whole epigenome studies. The second area is to enable in vivo imaging of epigenetic changes in cells, tissues and eventually intact organisms. This initiative will be launched under two separate RFAs – an R01 (research project) and an R21 (exploratory/developmental project) – both of which are due to release in Fall 2007, with funding expected to begin in Fall 2008.

DISCOVERY OF NOVEL EPIGENETIC MARKS IN MAMMALIAN CELLS

This initiative will support research to identify stable, long term changes in epigenetic processes and establish the utility of these marks in mammalian cells. It is anticipated that the results of these studies would quickly be translated to global epigenome mapping in human cells (conducted by the Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers). Epigenetic processes are critical to the normal development and function of multicellular organisms. Understanding these processes and in particular their susceptibility to perturbation may provide novel insights into disease pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches. This initiative will be launched under two separate RFAs – an R01 (research project) and an R21 (exploratory/developmental project) – both of which are due to release in Fall 2007, with funding expected to begin in Fall 2008.

EPIGENOMICS OF HUMAN HEALTH AND DISEASE

This initiative will support research on fundamental epigenomic changes or mechanisms underlying specific diseases; conditions of development or aging; or response to exposures (physical, chemical, behavioral, and social factors). This initiative will be funded as a 50/50 cost share between the NIH Roadmap and specific NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices. The initiative will be released under multiple funding mechanisms dependent on research priorities and needs of participating ICs. The Roadmap/IC co-funding mechanism will foster multiple IC involvement and ensure easy transition to individual ICs at the end of each funding period. The first set of RFAs are expected to be released in 2008, with additional RFAs released annually beginning in 2009.

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