What is meant by transformative research for the Epigenomics of Disease RFA?
Transformative is defined in this RFA as having a substantial impact on our understanding of the etiology, progression, or severity of a specific disease, or a disease-related process or condition, by creating a new paradigm or challenging an existing one. To determine whether your project has the potential to be transformative, consider the current state of the field of disease research which you are addressing. For example, knowledge of the epigenetics/epigenomics of cancer is much better developed than for most other diseases. In contrast, little is known about the epigenomic contributions to abnormal child development, aging, brain and psychiatric disorders, metabolic dysregulation, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders. Thus, a study that may transform the understanding of these diseases may not have the same impact in cancer research. The potential impact of the proposed research must be substantial with regard to the scientific community affected and state of understanding of
