Where We've Been Where We Are & Where We're Going
Michael F. Huerta, Ph.D.
Associate Director, NIMH
Pre-Human Brain Project
What we had:
- Informatics for sequence-related data
- Informatics for patient record data
What we lacked:
- Informatics for data at levels between sequences and patient records
- Understanding of the importance of informatics to neuroscience
- Understanding of the word "informatics"
Human Brain Project
Launched in 1993
What we hoped the HBP would do:
- Encourage informatics research for the full range of neuroscience data - from genes to systems
- Demonstrate the importance of informatics to neuroscience
- Develop the field of neuroinformatics
In 2006, last HBP grants will be awarded
What we have:
- Informatics research conducted across full range of neuroscience data - from genes to systems
- Clear understanding of the importance of informatics to neuroscience
- Neuroinformatics as a newly established and growing field
Moving neuroinformatics from incubator to mainstream research at NIH
Lots of opportunities in the mainstream
NIH Ongoing Funding Opportunities
- Neurotechnology Research, Development, and Enhancement
- Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology
- The Continued Development and Maintenance of Software
- Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing
- Bioengineering Research Grants
- Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants
- Bioengineering Research Partnerships
- Mentored Quantitative Research Career Development Award
- Unsolicited, Investigator-Initiated Applications
NIH Special Funding Opportunities
- Biomedical Informatics Research Network
- Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
- NIH Pediatric Database
- National Centers for Biomedical Computing
- Blueprint Neuroscience Information Framework
- Blueprint Neuroimaging Informatics Clearinghouse
NIH Forums for Discussion & Action
- BISTIC (trans-NIH informatics consortium)
- Database Issues Group
- Knowledge Environments Group
- BECON (trans-NIH bioengineering consortium)
- Blueprint Informatics Team (15 ICs & OD office)
- NCBC Project Team & Implementation Group
- Software & Data Integration Work Group
NIH Interactions with Investigators
Many of the forums for discussion and action and many of the major funding initiatives have annual or more frequent meetings, workshops, conferences, and symposia.
Many of you spend a lot of time in the greater D.C. area.
Next Steps for Neuroinformatics
- Informatics is key to advancing neuroscience
- Significant investments in neuroinformatics have resulted in tools and resources
- Different data, tools, and resources developed independently under different informatics frameworks
- Value of the investments increases as different data, tools, and resources interoperate
- Developing links across different informatics frameworks is essential - within and beyond the HBP
Linking Informatics Frameworks
- Linkage is an explicit and formal part of the BIRN and NCBC efforts
- Blueprint Informatics Team is exploring ways to facilitate links across independent projects (LINC)
- Plenary presentations will cover these
- NIH interested in laying the foundation for this through development of common knowledge environments
- National conference planned for August 2006
Knowledge Environments Conference
- Purpose — To elucidate strategies for developing, enhancing, and sustaining knowledge environments common to fields
- Common Knowledge Environments
- Depend on explicit understandings of concepts related to the data computed upon (e.g., term definitions, ontologies, data models, meta-data)
- Are necessary for interoperability of data, tools, & resources
- Are dynamic
- Require community acceptance
- Participants will include data generators, tool developers, and NIH scientific and science policy staff
- Strategies identified will be presented to leaders of trans-NIH informatics efforts-transform strategies to implementation plans
Conclusion
- Increasing interest in neuroinformatics research from NIH
- Increasing scientific and funding opportunities for neuroinformatics research
- Emerging NIH recognition of the need to make informatics tools and resources interoperable
