title: An analysis of the NIH-supported sickle cell disease research portfolio.
abstract: Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited blood disorder is due to a single amino acid substitution on the beta chain of hemoglobin, and is characterized by anemia, severe infections, acute and chronic pain, and multi-organ damage. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is dedicated to support basic, translational and clinical science research to improve care and ultimately, to find a cure for SCD that causes such suffering. This report provides a detailed analysis of grants funded by the NIH for SCD research in Fiscal Years 2007 through 2013. During this period, the NIH supported 247 de novo grants totaling $272,210,367 that address various aspects of SCD. 83% of these funds supported research project grants investigating the following 5 scientific themes: Pathology of Sickle Red Blood Cells; Globin Gene Expression; Adhesion and Vascular Dysfunction; Neurological Complications and Organ-specific Dysfunction; and Pain Management and Intervention. The remaining 17% of total funds supported career development and training grants; Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) grants; large Center grants; and Conference grants. Further analysis showed that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is the largest funder of SCD research within NIH with 67% of total grants, contributing 77% of total funds; followed by the National Institute for Digestive Diseases and Kidney (NIDDK) that is funding 19% of grants, contributing 13% of total funds. The remaining 14% of grants totaling 10% of the funds were supported by all other NIH Institutes/Centers (ICs) combined. In summary, the NIH is using multiple funding mechanisms to support a sickle cell disease research agenda that is intended to advance the detection, treatment, and cure of this debilitating genetic disease.
authors.affiliation: Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Nara
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gavini
authors.affiliation: Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: W Keith
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Hoots
authors.affiliation: Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Mensah
authors.affiliation: Division of Blood Diseases and Resources, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Electronic address: hanspalm@nhlbi.nih.gov.
authors.forename: Manjit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanspal
mesh_terms: D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000191:economics* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005381:Financing, Organized / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015870:Gene Expression; D005914:Globins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D054555:National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.) / Q000191:economics*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D059408:Pain Management / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D018581:Technology Transfer; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005914:Globins
keywords: Grant mechanisms; National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (U.S.); Research Projects Grants; Sickle cell disease