What translational bioinformatics tools could be used in pulmonary medicine to allow multidimensional, multi-scale modeling of clinical and biomolecular data to assist clinical decision-making?

Given the lack of outcomes data in the pediatric population, there is a need to develop a repository of data, including integrated electronic clinical data (outpatient, inpatient, laboratory, imaging, prescription), on all CVD risk factors (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidemia) in children. One approach is to start with leveraging health care systems that have existent electronic clinical data, infrastructure in place for... more »

How might the NHLBI effectively encourage and support its investigators to collaborate with strategic partners to pursue the early translation of their HLBS discoveries into new diagnostics and therapeutics?

The critical challenges to effective early translation of discovery science experienced by the investigator community include:

1. The need for translational skills development, training and guidance

2. Need for... more »

In what ways can researchers better collaborate with community representatives from populations with high prevalence / morbidity / mortality of cardiovascular disease (CVD) to enhance and sustain interventions and achieve improved health outcomes?

How can a combination of health behaviors and risk factors be used to conduct community-engaged research to prevent and treat CVD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)... more »

There is a need to build a robust coordinated surveillance system on the incidence and prevalence of chronic diseases. Surveillance data are needed to:

•Describe and monitor the burden, trends, and patterns of these diseases

•Set parameters and metrics of research priorities

•Identify where to target resources for prevention, treatment, and delivery of care

•Track and monitor progress toward public health disease... more »

There is a need to improve accessibility of Bone Marrow Stem Cell Transplantation (BMSCT) for Sickle Cell Disease patients who are most likely to benefit from this treatment option.

1. Building a culture of trust between and among primary care providers, specialists, patients/families, and other stakeholders

2. Consensus building around BMSCT as an acceptable treatment alternative (as opposed to another research endeavor)... more »

What advancements in our understanding of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation can be combined with practical developments in novel processing and storage technologies to develop the next generation of transfused blood therapeutics?

There is a dearth of tools to evaluate the efficacy of transfused blood products, although this is the most commonly employed therapeutic procedure in the US. There is also no financial... more »

What incentives will encourage current and new NHLBI investigators to pursue late translation (T4) research of proven effective interventions in heart, lung, blood, and sleep diseases?

One of NHLBI’s current strategic plan’s goals is to translate discovery and early translation research knowledge to late stage T4 translation for use in populations so that it has significant positive health impacts and provides a return... more »

What translational science approaches are best able to test individual, community, and environmental approaches for increasing adherence to heart-healthy dietary recommendations, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet?

What are the most effective types of interventions (e.g., personal coaching, print material, interactive internet content, faith-based community programs, campaigns) and tools... more »

What well-developed principles and lessons learned can be employed to improve the safety and availability of blood transfusions in developing countries?

The WHO Global Status Report 2013, many research reports, and a recent assessment of burdens of transfusion transmissible infections with HIV, HBV and HCV identified several critical challenges: 1) Significant proportions of blood collections in a large number of countries... more »

There is a need to utilize bioinformatics to analyze electronic health records / electronic medical records (EHR/EMR) documentation of practice-based pulmonary and sleep medicine to better understand longitudinal care delivery patterns and outcomes, identify changes in evidence, inform practice, and foster reverse translation to integrate basic and clinical research.

What methodologies will best enhance the translation of technologies for gene and cell therapies into potential products for clinical application and commercial development?

In considering a strategy for NHLBI investment in gene therapy, it is important to note that we are only at the beginning of a revolution that will eventually impact biomedical research across a broad range of specialties. NHLBI/NIH needs to create... more »

There is a huge gap between basic science discoveries (some of which have no clinical application) and clinic practice (even when the basic science is related). Rarely do physicians, physician scientists, and basic scientists get together to answer a question that has public health or patient health impact. Without such an effort, a lot of taxpayer money is wasted on 'science for the sake of science' as well as in applied... more »

According to the National Bioeconomy Blueprint" published in 2012 by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, “Flexibility in the use of new and existing funding mechanisms in and across agencies will be vital to stimulating the discovery of new bioinventions with potential to grow the bioeconomy” (p. 24).
It is known that the most effective research program in American history was the Manhattan Project.... more »

Laboratory analyses at the bedside or in the hinterlands can reduce the cost and increase the capture of disease states in underserved populations. The injection of a blood draw directly into a portable device that requires no further operator interventions is a Critical Challenge. With today’s automated chemistry and a miniaturized flow cytometer this challenge could be met.