Abstract A35: Innovative technologies for cancer research – NCI Strategy for supporting next generation of tools needed against cancer
Authors: Tony Dickherber
Journal: Cancer Research (2016)

Abstract The development of highly innovative technologies continues to be a high priority for accelerating or challenging existing basic and clinical cancer research paradigms. Epigenetic regulation and chromatin structural biology have offered compelling new opportunities for cancer researchers, but existing tools for investigating this biology are insufficient and new technology development research is needed. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the principle biomedical research funding agency of the US federal government, and recognizes that it is often difficult to achieve support for such research through existing program structures. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is the largest institute of the NIH, and has established the Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives (CSSI) to pioneer unique scientific and technology initiatives that help keep the NCI ahead of the scientific curve with respect to new and exciting cancer research areas and discoveries. This has involved the development and application of advanced technologies (e.g., Clinical Proteomic Technologies Against Cancer initiative), synergy of large-scale and investigator-initiated research (e.g., NCI Physical Sciences Oncology Network and Alliance for Cancer Nanotechnology), and/or forging novel partnerships that emphasize innovation, trans-disciplinary teams and convergence of scientific disciplines (e.g., The Cancer Genome Atlas) to enable the translation of discoveries into new interventions, both domestically and internationally, to detect, prevent and treat cancer more effectively. The longest standing program from CSSI is specifically tailored to address the need for highly innovative technology development necessary for advancing cancer research, and it is called the Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program. This program employs unique solicitation and review mechanisms better suited to appreciating the longer term potential of transformative technologies and designed to be more tolerant of the substantial risks often associated with such research. Research funding opportunities through this program were recently reissued, with a larger set-aside budget to grant up to 120 new awards through 2017. The unique aspects of both the solicitation and review of applications to this program will be presented, and several recently-supported research projects relevant to chromatin and epigenetics research will be highlighted to demonstrate the variety and high level of innovation evident in the IMAT portfolio of supported research. Potential projects of interest and identified technology gaps will also be discussed. Citation Format: Tony Dickherber. Innovative technologies for cancer research – NCI Strategy for supporting next generation of tools needed against cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Chromatin and Epigenetics in Cancer; Sep 24-27, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(2 Suppl):Abstract nr A35.