BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. Neuroimmunological diseases (“NIDs”) including multiple sclerosis (“MS”), neuromyelitis optica (“NMO”) and myasthenia gravis (“MG”) are chronic inflammatory diseases of the nervous system and are common causes of neurological disability in adults. The effects of NIDs are characterised by attacks of neurological symptoms and signs with variable recovery. MS patients can additionally develop a progressive clinical course. The clinical course of NIDs is highly variable. People with NIDs often receive immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory treatments, sequentially or in combination. There is a global requirement for patients, doctors, regulators and the pharmaceutical industry to understand the risk factors, course and outcomes of these diseases including: • Short and long-term outcomes of NIDs as assessed by standard clinical rating scales and outcome measures • Clinical and paraclinical outcome predictors including imaging results, blood tests and self-monitoring devices and applications • Medication exposure patterns and their short and long-term efficacy • Individualised prediction of treatment response • Safety of medications in the real-world setting, in particular long-term safety • Pregnancy and infant risks and outcomes in women exposed to medications during conception, in pregnancy and during breastfeeding The challenges for multi-centre investigator-initiated clinical research of this nature include harmonisation of protocols and minimum datasets, a suitably flexible data collection platform, retention of data ownership, the identification of collaborators, ongoing communication between study sites, data quality assurance, legal data storage, data management platforms and study governance. The MSBase Foundation provides Investigators with the best possible logistic solutions to meet these challenges at no cost.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE sequencing platforms allow sequence-based genotyping — sequencing platforms allow digital expression profiling — (i.e., Genome Sequencer-20 System, Solexa, ABI-based systems) — Sb genome sequence/genetic map alignment allows sequence/SNP mapping — haplotypes or graphical genotypes are revealed at sufficient marker density — graphical genotypes of germplasm will allow better parent/progeny selection — graphical genotyping will accelerate QTL mapping to gene discovery — graphical genotyping may replace targeted marker-assisted-breeding — TAES has developed a graphical genotyping method called Restriction Site Localized sequencing technology (RSL sequencing technology) — TAES has tested RSL-technology on rice/sorghum using 454 technology — RSL-sequencing provides a way to sequence genomes at specific sites — RSL provides a way to re-sequence the same sub-sample of any genome — the number of sites sequenced can be varied depending on need — Solexa can collect 1B bp of sequence per run (25-35bp/read) (~$3,000/run) — sequence sampling every ~4 kbp (two reads/site) = 10 Mbp of sequence — predicted SNP discovery rate = 1 SNP/82kbp (@ 1SNP/1000bp) — indexing allows ~100 genotypes per run (~$30/genotype for sequencing) — more genotypes can be run at lower sequence/SNP coverage — @ $3/~500 marker-genotype this may replace the need for MAB — a high quality genome sequence aligned to a genetic map is required Technical Plan:
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. The chemical composition of sorghum biomass will significantly influence the logistics of harvesting, transport, storage, processing, pretreatment processes, conversion efficiency and yield of biofuels per dry ton. Therefore, an early objective of this project is to characterize the range of biomass composition present in sorghum germplasm and to identify biomass composition traits that need to be selected for during the breeding process. In addition, the capability to conduct rapid NIR-based composition analysis for sorghum will allow allelic variation that modulates composition to be mapped and the corresponding genes identified and patented. CERES is establishing a state-of-the-art biomass composition-testing laboratory in Confidential Treatment Requested and the Redacted Material has been separately filed with the Commission California. This laboratory will be able to carry out chemical analysis of biomass required to establish standard curves for NIR-based analysis. TAES/CERES propose to establish a biomass composition-testing laboratory at TAES in order to assay several thousand samples generated each cycle of sorghum breeding and to enable genetic analysis of composition traits. The details of this activity are described below.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. Scientists at TAES have been developed a sorghum genome technology platform consisting of integrated genetic, cytogenetic and comparative genome maps since 1998. The TAES sorghum genetic map contains over 3,000 DNA markers based on data collected from 137 RIL lines derived from BTx623 X IS3620C. A physical map that is aligned to the sorghum genetic map has been constructed from ~16X deep BAC libraries, HICF fingerprinting, 6D BAC pooling, and ~5,000 EST-STS linkers. BACs from this map have been end-sequences and sequence scanned providing information for aligning DOE sequence assemblies to the map. The sorghum genome sequence assemblies produced by DOE based on 8X shotgun coverage of the genome are large (up to 14 Mbp). Test alignment of DOE sequence assemblies to SBI03 is promising revealing 6 miss-assemblies in the euchromatic region (~47Mbp) that were easily corrected. Funding is requested to accelerate the next set of sorghum genome map platform improvements including aligning the DOE [***] to the TAES [***] and [***] followed by [***] and resolution of issues related to [***] [***]/[***]. In addition, [***] of the [***] will be done in a targeted manner ([***], [***]/[***]) at different levels depending on need (automated [***] and by [***] analysis, [***] models, [***], etc.). For example, DOE funding will allow implementation of [***] of sorghum [***] matching [***] in [***] in 20[***] in collaboration with Xxxxxx Xxxx/Xxxxxxx Xxxxx (Cold Spring Harbor). We will focus [***] efforts on [***] relevant to [***] with funding from DOE. We also plan to bring in [***] of [***] (from prior [***], RT-PCR data, plus [***]/[***] data when it becomes available). Comparative genetic maps and the comparative aligned genome sequences focused on sorghum, rice, maize, and switchgrass will be updated on a regular basis. The TAES sorghum genome map platform is a key resource for all future QTL mapping, annotation, and gene discovery projects done at TAES and those carried out in collaboration with CERES. As such, the genome map/sequence platform provides our group an advantage in terms of gene discovery/IP capture. For QTL mapping and gene discovery research it would be ideal if TAES and CERES were operating with a common genome sequence/genetic map framework. If CERES provides funding to help TAES to continue development of the TAES genome map/sequence platform, then TAES will make the genome map/sequence platform available to CERES with regular quality and annotatio...
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. (a) In July 2005, the United States Government announced a five-year, $1.2 billion Malaria Initiative to rapidly scale up malaria prevention and treatment interventions in 15 high-burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI) began with $30 million in bilateral funding in FY 06, increased to $135 million in FY 07 and $300 million in FYs 08 and 09, and is intended to reach $500 million in FY 10. The goal of PMI is to achieve eighty-five percent (85%) coverage of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), prevention with insecticide- treated nets (ITNs), intermittent preventive treatment for pregnant women (IPT), and indoor residual spraying (IRS), in order to reduce malaria-related mortality by fifty percent (50%). Now in its fourth year of funding, PMI is fully implementing activities in fifteen (15) countries. PMI, in partnership with National Malaria Control Programs (NMCPs) and in support of country-level strategic plans, is providing technical, managerial, and commodity support for IRS campaigns in all fifteen (15) PMI countries. In the second year of PMI (2007), over 17.5 million people were protected by IRS.
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. <Explain the purpose and rationale for the proposal, including previous/related projects, Cabinet/University Council decisions, etc. Please document with whom you have consulted in the development of this project.>
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. Urbanization. The world is becoming increasingly more urban. In 2014, approximately 54% of the global population was estimated to live in cities. Furthermore, 651 million of these urban residents live in slums or slum conditions and, as a result, the number of slums worldwide is increasing as well (WHO, 2015). With urban and slum living comes increased risk of exposure to pathogens due to challenges with WASH infrastructure and crowded living. Slums, which are defined as dwellings with lack of access to improved water, sanitation, sufficient space, durability and security, need monitoring of food, water, hands, and the other environmental risks that cause disease (U.N., 2008). Low-income countries are generally thought of as places where these slums commonly exist. They are defined by The World Bank as those that have a gross national income (GNI) of $1,045 or less (World Bank, 2015). Despite the World Bank definition, there is no universally agreed upon definition of what constitutes a low-income country in terms of other metrics. In this review, however, the term low-income country is referencing countries that met the definition put forth by the UN as a Least Developed Country (LDC). An LDC is a country with extreme poverty, weak human resources in terms of health, nutrition, education, and literacy, and economic vulnerability (United Nations, 1971). Many LDCs also have poor infrastructure that leads to decreased access to health facilities and further isolation of pockets of the population. Low-resource settings, which are more often found in LDCs, do not always have standard guidance protocols on the best way to monitor for microbial contamination (Xxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 2014). Low-resource settings consist of one or all of the following characteristics: no or inconsistent electricity, no advanced lab equipment, lack of or shortage of trained personnel, limited or no suppliers of lab equipment, and lack of infrastructure for waste disposal. Another systematic review conducted solely on testing methods for drinking water defined low resource as any setting without a lab, but with a clean work space or near the water source (Xxxx, et. al, 2012). High-resource settings, in this same review, were defined as places with a modern laboratory accessible within 24 hours. The lab should have reliable electricity, a vacuum, fume hood, distilled water, and cold supply chain (Xxxx, et. al, 2012). This definition is also useful for this review. When reviewing article...
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE why next generation institutional transnationalism? Transnational migration - the concept that international migrants maintain ties with their societies and communities of origin as they settle in another country - has attracted significant academic interest in recent years, advancing our knowledge of the contemporary immigrant experience. While the historical record shows that previous waves of migrants also retained links with their home countries, scholars of transnational migration emphasize the more intense and regular ties facilitated by modern advances in communication technology and transport. They contend that the instantaneous connectivity that modern technology facilitates, gives rise to a qualitatively different experience that was not possible in previous eras. Recent research on these aspects of migration has documented philanthropic organizations that migrants have established to deliver assistance and address needs ‘back home’ (Goldring, 2002; Xxxxx, 2006, 2006; Xxxxxxxx, 2003; Xxxxxxxx, 2005); described the multiple ways in which migrants participate in the political processes of their country of origin (Xxxxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx, 2001; Xxxxxxx, 2001, 2007; Xxxxxx and Xxxxx, 2005; Xxxxx and Xxxxxx, 2008; Xxxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxx, 2008, and Xxxxxxxxxx-Xxxxxxx, 2001); and has examined how transnational migration affects assimilation and incorporation within the country of settlement (Itzigsohn and Xxxxxxx, 2002; Portes, 2003; Xxxxxxxx, 2003; Xxxxxxx, 2001; Xxxxx, 2000; Tamaki, 2011). However, there has been significantly less research and theorizing about the transnational links of the next generation – those born and/or brought up in the country of settlement. There is therefore far less information about their relationships with the parental ‘home’ country; for example, whether these are maintained, neglected, or utilised periodically; how any links retained are realized, and what the implications of any such relationships are. The limited studies that do exist have mostly explored emotional forms of connectivity (Xxxxxx, 2002; Wolf, 1997, 2002; Xx Xxxxxxxx and Xxxx, 2002; Xxxxxxxx, 2004; Xxxxxxx, 2005; Xxxxxxxxx, 2009) or non-institutional behaviours such as trips to home countries, the consumption of home country media, or contacts with relatives in countries of origin (Xxxxxxxx, 2002; Xxxxxxxx et al., 2002; Xxxxxx, 2002). Despite a limited number of isolated case studies (Xxxxx, 2002, 2006; Xxxxxx, 2002), there have been very few investigations...
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. Provide a detailed description, including the issue to be addressed and potential findings. Objectives and Key Questions List the questions, objectives, or hypotheses. Value of Research to ERS/USDA
BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE. Discovery Disconnect Delivery ▪ A wide spectrum of interventions (vaccines, screening, pre-cancer treatment) have been discovered for the prevention of HPV-related cancers, yet implementation has not been optimized, particularly for high-risk HIV+ individuals. ▪ Inadequate evidence on best methods, algorithms, and follow-up protocols. ▪ Unique immunosuppression-related clinical issues in context of HIV ▪ Clinical trials to resolve unanswered questions can inform clinical care recommendations and public health practice. 2013 BSA Ad-Hoc Subcommittee Recommendations on HIV-associated Cancers in LMICs ▪ Improve data on burden and types of HIV-associated malignancies ▪ Define factors that influence cancer risks in LMICs ▪ Define optimal methods for screening and prevention, especially for cervical cancer ▪ Investigate other virally-associated cancers ▪ Identify optimal therapies, taking into account medical infrastructure ▪ RFA concept developed for use of FY2018 HIV/AIDS-related research funds under the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR)’s ‘Trans-NIH Plan for HIV-Related Research’ ▪ “High Priority” topic of research for support using AIDS-designated funds🡪 “HIV associated comorbidities, coinfections, and complications including malignancies” Rationale for focusing on the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region ▪ High HIV burden (2 million HIV+) and high cervical cancer burden ▪ Large public investments in HIV/AIDS care (models for HIV+ treatment for other LMICs) ▪ Recent strong commitments for HPV vaccination and HPV-based screening ▪ Strong US academic and clinical partnerships ▪ Long-standing NIH-funded HIV clinical trials infrastructure ▪ Leading sites for landmark HIV trials (e.g., HPTN052 ‘Breakthrough of the Year 2011’) ▪ Middle-income settings with highly educated and capable workforce ▪ Minimal time-zone differences facilitating effective coordination Map: xxxx://xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx Key Considerations NCI-led Consultative Meetings to Define Research Priorities in HIV/HPV Coinfection • Washington, DC (May 2014): HPV diagnostics for LAC region: Workshop in partnership with PAHO • Seattle, Washington (August 2014): HIV/HPV Research Priorities Workshop in partnership with International Papillomavirus Society • São Paulo, Brazil (May 2015): HIV/HPV Research Investigators Meeting (9 LAC countries) in partnership with PAHO and Brazilian Ministry of Health Clinical Trials Research on Prevention of HPV-associated Malignancies in HIV+ individuals: Priority...
