Request for Information (RFI): Programs in Systems Biology for HLBS Research

Notice Number: NOT-HL-05-106

Key Dates
Release Date: February 1, 2005

Issued by
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/)

The NHLBI is soliciting comments and ideas on the development and application of systems biology approaches to heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.

Background

Advances in high-throughput research approaches and technologies, such as sequencing, genotyping, gene expression, proteomics, metabolomics, and imaging, provide tools and vast data sets generating significant insights into biological mechanism and function. The NHLBI has encouraged the application of these approaches and technologies to heart, lung, blood and sleep research by supporting development programs, such as the Programs for Genomic Applications, Microarray Facilities, and resources, such as the NHLBI Mammalian Genotyping Service, the NHLBI Resequencing and Genotyping Centers, and the Rat Genome Database. The NHLBI also supports related technological programs, including the Programs of Excellence in Nanotechnology, the NHLBI Proteomics Initiative, and Bioengineering Research Partnerships.

The ability to predict normal and disease responses of complex systems, such as heart rhythm, vascular flow, respiration, and tissue remodeling, represents a significant challenge. Knowledge of individual components of a system (single genes, gene and protein patterns, etc.) is not sufficient to understand highly complex systems, such as molecular pathways, cells, tissues, and organs. Integration of different types of data may be necessary to understand how a complex system functions. The ability to integrate multiple data types and predict behavior and outcomes using quantitative models is beginning to be a reality. Thus, the NHLBI is interested in the application of systems biology approaches in heart, lung, blood, and sleep research. The goal is to use experimental data and quantitative models to integrate data from multiple sources, timescales, and levels of organization and to predict responses and outcomes related to heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders.

Information Requested

The NHLBI seeks your help in identifying (a) major opportunities to develop and apply systems biology approaches to heart, lung, blood, and sleep research and medicine;

(b) the interest and readiness of the heart, lung, blood, and sleep research community to engage in systems biology research; (c) needs for developing and supporting systems biology research in the heart, lung, blood, and sleep research community and barriers that may inhibit it; and (d) practical and effective ways to meet these needs and overcome these barriers.

Your thoughts, ideas, and suggestions will help guide future NHLBI activities designed to help develop and apply systems biology to biological research questions. You are asked to comment on one or more of the issues listed below, but should not feel compelled to address all of them.

The NHLBI would like your thoughts and comments on the following areas:

Responses

This request for information is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation for applications or as an obligation on the part of the Government. The Government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or the Government's use of that information.

Responses will be shared with the NHLBI Board of Extramural Advisors and the National Heart, Lung, Blood Advisory Council. If anonymity is requested, please state at the beginning of response.

Please send comments by email to NHLBI_DHVDdata@mail.nih.gov by March 14, 2005 or send a letter or fax to the following address:

NHLBI/DHVD Data Coordinator
c/o Ms. Tawanna Meadows
Two Rockledge Centre
6701 Rockledge Drive
Suite 9044 , MSC 7940
Bethesda, MD 20892-7940
Telephone: (301) 435-0513
FAX: (301) 480-1335
E-mail: NHLBI_DHVDdata@mail.nih.gov


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