“Advanced Proteomics Program for Assessment of Disease Progression and Therapeutic and Clinical Outcomes.”
Vanderbilt Medical Center received funds in support of its program for early detection and prognosis of cancer and other diseases through the development and use of advanced proteomic mass spectrometry instruments and techniques. This program is a critical component of the NFGC. This project will enhance our ability to discover the patterns of proteins in human tissue and blood that can be used to: (1) identify diseases in very early stages, (2) predict the progression of diseases and the length of survival for individual patients, (3) predict those patients at increased risk of particular diseases, and (4) identify molecular targets for investigation of potential interventions.
One of the major goals of this project is the rapid integration of new mass spectrometry-related technologies and approaches into projects focused on the earlier detection of diseases and more effective means of monitoring the impact of therapeutic interventions on individual patients. A second goal is the development of expertise and technologies for the rapid detection and response to public health emergencies caused by threats such as biological and chemical agents. Over the longer range, the advanced proteomics program at Vanderbilt can provide expertise and training in the use of proteomic technologies for investigators from the Department of Defense and other government agencies focused on emergency health threats.