Rigor and Reproducibility for Biomarkers in Type 1 Diabetes Clinical Research

The main goal of this initiative is to establish a consortium with the overarching goal to advance the systematic identification, rigorous evaluation, validation, and assays harmonization of biomarkers that are critical to the prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Despite significant advances in T1D research, there remains an urgent need for reliable and reproducible biomarkers that can capture the complexity of autoimmune processes, metabolic dysregulation, and individual patient variability. This initiative will leverage state-of-the-art methodologies in clinical chemistry, genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, immunophenotyping, and imaging, coupled with longitudinal patient cohorts and mining of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Within this consortium major efforts will be devoted to: 1) Harmonize established assays for biomarkers such as HbA1c and c-peptide, making sure that these assays are performed in a rigorous and reproducible manner in the clinical research community and in clinical practice. For this purpose, reference methods and materials will use a metrology approach and will be made available to the community; 2) Identify and validate other biomarkers that can be used for the prevention, diagnosis, and clinical management of T1D. It has been reported that the assays for several biomarkers routinely used in clinical research such as glucagon, amylin, chromogranin, insulin, pro-insulin and other pro-hormones are not reproducible across platforms or laboratories. For this purpose, this consortium will ensure that all assays for biomarkers routinely used in clinical research and for newly identified biomarkers are rigorously validated and assessed for reproducibility across several laboratories following a metrology approach.

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions).

The major elements in evaluating proposals include assessments of: (1) The scientific merit and general significance of the proposed study and its objectives; (2) the technical adequacy of the experimental design and approach; (3) the competency of the proposed investigator or group to successfully pursue the project; (4) the adequacy of the available and proposed facilities and resources; (5) the necessity of the budget components requested in relation to the proposed project; and (6) the relevance and importance to announced program objectives. The following criteria will be used in considering the scientific and technical merit of SBIR/STTR Phase I grant applications: (1) The soundness and technical merit of the proposed approach; (2) the qualifications of the proposed principal investigator, supporting staff, and consultants; (3) the technological innovation of the proposed research; (4) the potential of the proposed research for commercial application; (5) the appropriateness of the budget requested; (6) the adequacy and suitability of the facilities and research environment; and (7) where applicable, the adequacy of assurances detailing the proposed means for (a) safeguarding human or animal subjects, and/or (b) protecting against or minimizing any adverse effect on the environment. Phase II grant applications will be reviewed based upon the following criteria: (1) The degree to which the Phase I objectives were met and feasibility demonstrated; (2) the scientific...