Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
development of high-throughput (HT) flow cytometry, as well as its contribution to
small-molecule discovery. We discuss (1) the NIH Molecular Libraries initiative in
the context of discovery research and the public Web sites for obtaining information
about the initiative; (2) the position of the UNM Center for Molecular Discovery and
HT flow cytometry in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Center Network
(MLPCN); (3) flow cytometry platforms for HTS and their performance as well as
HT flow cytometry activities in discovery, (4) applications of flow cytometry to
cellular and molecular targets and their outcomes, (5) current operational issues in
HTS flow cytometry, and (6) a perspective of future developments in HT flow
cytometry.
4.2 NIH AS AN ENGINE IN DISCOVERY RESEARCH
TheHumanGenome Initiative signaled a newera for biomedical research in theUnited
States in several ways. It was a multitiered initiative with phases, milestones, and
networking. Rather than following the model of investigator-initiated, hypothesis-
driven research, the initiative was driven by a specific goal to be accomplished by a
specific date. In the pilot phase of the initiative [1], academic centers were given the
opportunity to develop and evaluate multiple strategies for high-throughput sequen-
cing and to share the resultswithin a networkof those centers. The productionphase [2]
was designed to select the most efficient strategies for throughput within a smaller
network in which sequencing data would be made promptly publicly available. The
initiative requiredaltruismina collective sense thatmaybeconnected to theworldview
of one of its leaders, Dr. Francis Collins, recently appointed as NIH Director [3].
In a series of announcements dating back to 1998, NIH also rolled out Bioengineer-
ing Research Partnerships [4] defined as amultidisciplinary research team that applies
an integrative, systems approach to develop knowledge and/or methods to prevent,
detect, diagnose, or treat disease, or to understand health and behavior. The partnership
must include appropriatebioengineeringor alliedquantitative sciences incombination
with biomedical and/or clinical components. A BRP may propose design-directed,
developmental, discovery-driven, or hypothesis-driven research at universities, na-
tional laboratories, medical schools, large or small businesses, or other public and
private entities, or combinations of these entities. It is expected that a BRP will have a
well-defined goal or deliverable that will be achieved based on objective milestones
specified in the initial application. In 2001, the NIH made a related program
announcement [5] for Bioengineering Research Grants (BRGs). The BRGs are
performed in a single laboratory, by a single investigator, or by a small group of
investigators. In 2003, the NIH made another related program announcement [6] for
Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRGs). The
EBRGs are performed in a single laboratory, by a single investigator, or by a small
group of investigators and the projects are high risk/high payoff in nature (R21
mechanism) as compared to the R01-type grants supported by the BRP program.
The research objectives of the BRP are summarized in these terms: Many of
today's biomedical problems are best addressed using a multidisciplinary approach
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