FYI from the NHLBI Index

May 2006: Vol. 7, Issue 1
Research and Resources

NHLBI Research Initiatives

• Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers
• Diet and Physical Activity Assessment Improvement
• Network for Cardiothoracic Surgical Investigations in Cardiovascular Medicine
• Non-Viral Systems for Gene Transfer Applications for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases: New Approaches
• Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network Renewal

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NHLBI Research Initiatives

From time to time, the NHLBI invites investigators to submit grant applications or contract proposals for specific research programs. We are currently soliciting applications for the programs described below. Unless a due date is mentioned, applications are accepted for February 1, June 1, and October 1 deadlines each year. For full details of these and other research initiatives, visit www.nhlbi.nih.gov/funding/inits/index.htm or the Web page that is linked each initiative number.

Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers

• Initiative Number: RFA Renewal HL-06-008
• Applications due: September 25, 2006
• Objective: To operate a nationwide network of interactive, state-of-the-art, comprehensive centers in basic and translational research focused on the development of cures or significantly improved treatments for sickle cell disease. This is the ninth re-competition of a program that was established by a Presidential initiative and Congressional mandate in 1972. The network will include ten centers and a data management core.

Diet and Physical Activity Assessment Improvement

• Initiative Number: PAR-06-104
• Applications due: July 1, 2006
• Objective: To improve diet and physical activity measurement through improved instruments, technologies, or statistical/analytical techniques that explore the optimal combinations of objective and self-reported measures that can capture dietary intake and physical activity behaviors in both general and diverse populations.

Network for Cardiothoracic Surgical Investigations in Cardiovascular Medicine

• Initiative Number: RFA HL-06-005
• Applications due: August 28, 2006
• Objective: To conduct multiple, collaborative, proof-of-concept, clinical protocols to evaluate surgical and minimally invasive interventional strategies to improve the treatment of cardiovascular disease in adult populations through the establishment of a cooperative network of academic centers with clinically active cardiothoracic surgeons and their colleagues in allied specialties interested in promulgating the use of evidence-based medicine in surgical practice. The network will include seven clinical centers and a data coordinating center.

Non-Viral Systems for Gene Transfer Applications for Heart, Lung, and Blood Diseases: New Approaches

• Initiative Number: PA-06-243
• Applications due: September 12, 2006
• Objective: To foster the development of efficient non-viral approaches for a broad range of gene- and cell-mediated therapies for heart, lung, and blood diseases in humans. The initiative will use the R21/R33 Phased Innovation Award, allowing projects that are shown to be feasible in the initial R21 period to move forward rapidly.

Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trials Network Renewal

• Initiative Number: RFA Renewal
• Applications due: August 15, 2006
• Objective: To continue for a second five-year period a network of interactive clinical research groups to promote the efficient comparison of new management strategies of potential benefit for children and adults with hemostatic disorders and also to evaluate novel as well as existing blood products and cytokines for the treatment of hematologic disorders. The network consists of 17 core clinical centers to perform multiple clinical trials and a Data Coordinating Center.

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We are always interested in receiving comments and suggestions from the community. If you or your organizations have questions for me or for the Institute, please contact me at nabele@nhlbi.nih.gov or Dr. Carl Roth at rothc@nhlbi.nih.gov.

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