Large-Scale Biomedical Science Exploring Strategies for Future Research (2003) / Chapter Skim
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8. Findings and Recommendations
8. Findings and Recommendations
Pages 192-201
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From page 192... ...
The Human Genome Project is the biggest and best-known largescale biomedical research project undertaken to date. Another project of 192
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From page 193... ...
Although the initial intent of this study was to examine large-scale cancer research, it quickly became clear that issues pertaining to largescale science projects have broad implications that cut across all sectors and fields of biomedical research. Large-scale endeavors in the biomedical sciences often involve multiple disciplines and contribute to many fields and specialties.
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From page 194... ...
Ideally, large-scale and small-scale research should complement each other and work synergistically to advance the field of biomedical research in the long term. For example, many large-scale projects generate hypotheses that can then be tested in smaller research projects.
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From page 195... ...
· NIH should continue to explore alternative funding mechanisms for large-scale endeavors, perhaps including approaches similar to those used by NCI's Unconventional Innovations Program, as well as funding collaborations with industry and other federal funding agencies. J ~ · International collaborations should be encouraged, but an approach for achieving such cooperation should be determined on a case by case basis.
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From page 196... ...
· The assessment should examine the impact of industry contracts or collaborations within large-scale research projects. Industry has many potential strengths to offer such projects, including efficiency and effective project management and staffing, but intellectual property issues represent a potential barrier to such collaborations.
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From page 197... ...
But if qualified individuals, especially at the doctoral level, are expected to participate in such undertakings, they must have sufficient incentives to take on the risks and responsibilities involved. In particular, effective administrative management and committed scientific leadership are crucial for meeting expected milestones on schedule and within budget; thus the success of a large-scale project is greatly dependent upon the skills and knowledge of the scientists and administrators who manage it, including those within the federal funding agencies.
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From page 198... ...
Since a primary goal of many large-scale biomedical research projects is to produce data and research tools, NIH should facilitate the sharing of data and the distribution of reagents to the extent feasible. Currently, NIH grants generally do not provide funds for this purpose, making it difficult for investigators to maintain reagents and share them with the research community.
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From page 199... ...
Thus, the committee recommends that such an assessment be undertaken, and that appropriate actions be taken based on the findings of the study. Recommendation 6: NIH should commission a study to examine systematically the ways in which licensing practices affect the availability of research tools produced by and used for large-scale biomedical research projects.
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From page 200... ...
The Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, or SNP, Consortium is a prime example of how effective these sectors can be when involved in a large-scale research projects. Industry in particular has many inherent strengths that could be brought to bear on large-scale biomedical research efforts, such as experience in coordinating and managing teams of scientists working toward a common goal.
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From page 201... ...
Now is the time to address the critical issues identified in this report in order to optimize future investments in large-scale endeavors, whatever they may be. The ultimate goal of biomedical research, both largeand small-scale, is to advance knowledge and provide society with useful innovations.
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