U24HG013013

Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing - The post-genomic era has transformed biology, medicine, and biomedical sciences with this advancement being increasingly driven by ready access to interdisciplinary collaborative technology-driven databases built within the accelerating convergence of computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing.

There is an urgent need for training the upcoming generation of scientific researchers in this area and effectively drawing upon our nationwide talent pool. Yet, there remains a distinctive STEM and diversity gap in today's biomedical workforce and associated need for transformative change in training in computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing (CGDSCC) to recruit historically marginalized populations.

CGDSCC student and faculty training has been limited among historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) and minority student serving (MSI) institutions. This is due to a lack of organized resources such as faculty trained in these disciplines, adequate computing resources, and the instrumentation for conducting genomic research needed to achieve impactful hands-on CGDSCC student training.

In this proposal, we seek to provide the educational and hands-on research training and resources in computational genomics, data sciences, and cloud computing for the future workforce, particularly among underserved student populations at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and other target HBCU/MSI institutions. We have partnered with 3 HBCUs, North Carolina Central University, Winston Salem State University, and Shaw University, as initial site/target institutions. Additional sites will be recruited if this proposal is funded.

Through the creation of the Genomic Research and Data Science Center for Computation and Cloud-Computing (GRADS-4C), we will develop and disseminate cloud-based CGDSCC instructional materials produced with our GRADS-4C affiliated faculty to target institutions. This will be accomplished through the establishment of lasting partnerships with target institutions interested in education, facilitation of faculty development, and student educational and research training in CGDSCC.

We shall also develop and disseminate additional cloud-based open-source CGDSCC educational resources that can be used with NIH workflows for the target institutions. We are particularly well-prepared to undertake the proposed work due to the unique team of expert scientists, educators, collaborators, and advisors we have assembled.

This innovative work seeks to formally train the future workforce from underserved populations at minority institutions in cutting-edge CGDS and cloud computing education and hands-on research, which has not been attempted or accomplished before, particularly with MSIs as the lead institution. Successful completion of this project will be of high significance since it will boost greater overall capacity and critical engagement from an expanded, more diverse workforce ready to solve complex biomedical/society problems requiring and benefiting from CGDSCC approaches.

North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University

NHGRI SUPPORTS THE DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT WILL ACCELERATE GENOME RESEARCH AND ITS APPLICATION TO HUMAN HEALTH AND GENOMIC MEDICINE. A CRITICAL PART OF THE NHGRI MISSION CONTINUES TO BE THE STUDY OF THE ETHICAL, LEGAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS (ELSI) OF GENOME RESEARCH. NHGRI ALSO SUPPORTS THE TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT OF INVESTIGATORS AND THE DISSEMINATION OF GENOME INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC AND TO HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. THE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM IS USED TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TO INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION IN FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. THE SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAM IS USED TO FOSTER SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION THROUGH COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CARRIED OUT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO FOSTER TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS, TO INCREASE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIALIZATION OF INNOVATIONS DERIVED FROM FEDERAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, AND TO FOSTER AND ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION OF SOCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS AND WOMEN-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION.

93.172 - Human Genome Research

National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) [HHS - NIH]

Greensboro, North Carolina 274110002 United States

Single Zip Code

Genomic Community Resources (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-23-124)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 2072% from $200,000 to $4,344,756.