[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 123]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-24687]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institute of Health


Translational Research Working Group Public Comment Period

AGENCY: National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health 
(NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: The Translational Research Working Group (TRWG), a broad panel 
including advocates, researchers from academia, industry 
representatives, and government officials, was established in early 
2005 to evaluate the status of the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) 
intramural and extramural investment in translational research in order 
to develop recommendations on ways to coordinate and optimally 
integrate activities. The TRWG is also charged with developing 
implementation strategies that will enable the scientific community and 
NCI leadership to appropriately prioritize its translational research 
opportunities. Recommendations will be made to the National Cancer 
Advisory Board by early 2007. To assist in its future planning efforts, 
TRWG is asking public stakeholders in the translational research 
enterprise for feedback on some of the key questions facing the panel 
and insights on how to proceed.

DATES: The TRWG public comment period will run from December 20, 2005 
to January 20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted electronically at the TRWG Web 
site: http://www.cancer.gov/trwg/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The National Cancer Institute is committed to speeding the 
development of new diagnostic tests, cancer treatments, and other 
interventions that benefit people with cancer and people at risk for 
cancer. Such development relies on strong translational research 
collaborations between basic and clinical scientists to generate novel 
approaches. Currently, NCI supports a variety of projects that build 
this bridge between basic science and patient care.
    Over the next year, the Translational Research Working Group (TRWG) 
will review NCI's current intramural and extramural translational 
research portfolio (within the scope of the TRWG mission), facilitate 
broad community input, invite public comment, and recommend ways to 
improve and integrate efforts. The ultimate goal is to accelerate 
progress toward improving the health of the nation and cancer patient 
outcomes.

Request for Comments

    To better understand the different viewpoints in the cancer 
research community, and to develop and reflect a common understanding 
about the challenges and opportunities in translational research, TRWG 
seeks input on six important areas:
     Barriers to/Incentives for Translational Research.
     Prioritization.
     Funding.
     System Organization.
     Facilities/Technologies.
     Manpower/Training.

    Dated: December 22, 2005.
Ernest Hawk,
Director, Office of Centers, Training and Resources, National Cancer 
Institute, National Institutes of Health.
[FR Doc. 05-24687 Filed 12-30-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4140-01-M