Notice Number: NOT-HG-07-008

Key Dates
Release Date:  February 7, 2007

Issued by
National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), http://www.genome.gov

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) plans to issue a Request for Applications (RFA) in the spring of 2007, with review and funding expected by the end of fiscal 2007 (September 2007), to develop a “basic tool set” for phenotypic and environmental exposure assessment in large-scale genomic research.  Identifying and applying a “uniform” or “preferred” set of data elements for genome-wide association studies of genes and environmental factors, including case-control studies, large-scale prospective cohorts, and biorepositories or biobanks, could substantially enhance their value for research in a variety of common, complex diseases.  This initiative will support the identification, development, and dissemination of a relatively small subset of readily standardized and implemented measures in topic areas or domains related to the most common complex diseases.  These measures would serve as a “basic tool set” for phenotypic and environmental exposure assessment in GWA studies and other large-scale genomic research efforts that could then be applied to proposed or ongoing GWA studies.  Where similar measures have already been collected, availability of this basic tool set could facilitate converting existing measures to achieve comparability across studies.  Criteria for prioritizing domains will be developed, such as evidence for strong genetic influence on the domain, evidence for genetic influence on environmental effects, and public health significance.  Choice of measurement tools within each domain will be based on objective scientific criteria such as validity, reproducibility, cost, and feasibility, and may include recommendations for different scenarios (such as, telephone or internet-based data collection, in person visit or interview, etc).

Inquiries

For further information regarding this potential RFA, please contact:

Emily L. Harris, PhD, MPH
National Human Genome Research Institute
5635 Fishers Lane
Suite 4076, MSC 9305
Bethesda, MD 20892-9305 (U.S. Postal Service Express or regular mail)
Rockville, MD 20852 (express/courier service; non-USPS service)
Email: emily.harris@nih.gov

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