Government and Public Affairs 
NCRR Strategic Plan- ASPET Comments
June 2003

ASPET Comments to NCRR Strategic Plan

The NCRR is seeking input from the research community to three questions:

1) What are the most important research trends that will drive biomedical research?
2) What research resources and technologies will be critical in addressing these trends and meeting biomedical investigators’ needs?
3) What strategies will eliminate barriers to progress and enhance access to research resources and technologies?

·  What are the most important research trends that will drive biomedical research?

The ability to exploit the data from the human genome and determine how that information affects human disease processes that can ultimately translate into effective clinical therapies is one of the most important research trends in biomedical research. Toward this end, it is critical that a new generation of biomedical researchers be trained and supported that understand not only cell and molecular biology, but also how this basic biology impacts the human body at the whole organ and intact individual.

The integration between cell and molecular biology and whole organ, in vivo, integrative biology is an essential link for medicine. There has been an erosion of support for whole organ, integrative biology over the decades as critical investments in important cell and molecular research and technology have generated a wealth of valuable information. That information must now by put together by trained biomedical researchers who understand how the knowledge gained at the cellular level must be applied to studies on whole organs and intact animals. The ability for investigators to use the full complement of genetic, biochemical, physiological, pharmacological, nutritional, and pathological influences is critical to the development of new drugs and therapies.


·  What research resources and technologies will be critical in addressing these trends and meeting biomedical investigators’ needs?

NCRR can encourage multidisciplinary research at institutions among basic researchers with an interest in learning whole organ, integrative biology by offering new training opportunities in the use of technologies involving physiological phenotyping, developing approaches to drug design, and other pharmacogenomic interventions. NCRR’s General Clinical Research Centers (GCRC) should remain the focus of these efforts and greater institutional support could be facilitated through GCRC. GCRC based training and research should have a specific whole organ systems/integrative component so that institutions, or a consortium of institutions could address specific research needs in a multi-disciplinary fashion.

NCRR should invest, develop and update imaging and other tools and technologies (e.g., multi-electrode arrays, remote monitoring devices) that aid whole organ, integrative biological research.

NCRR should develop a training grant program that would develop a new cadre of young investigators with experience in whole organ, integrative biology. NCRR could consider a public-private partnership with industry in this initiative.

NCRR should place a high priority on maintaining a strong National Primate Research Program. Without a sufficient number of primate models, specialized primate research facilities and experts trained in laboratory animal medicine, researchers will not be able to carry out studies that will lead to therapies and new vaccines for a host of diseases. Domestic breeding capabilities must be expanded to increase the availability of primates for research. Old primate housing must be upgraded and new facilities must be built to accommodate the increase in the number of primates used in research. Primate management teams must be developed in proportion to the increased number of primates.


·  What Strategies will eliminate barriers to progress and enhance access to research resources and technologies?

To enhance whole organ systems and integrative biomedical research, NCRR should consider continued expansion of the Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) to strengthen the infrastructure and encourage multi-disciplinary research across institutions across qualifying states. Through the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and the Biomedical Research Infrastructure Networks (BRIN), research projects encompassing cell and molecular biology, genetics, pharmacology, physiology, full anatomy, and other fields of biomedical research can address critical research areas.