Continuation and Expansion of the National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank for Translational Research (U24)

The National Mesothelioma Virtual Bank (NMVB) was established in 2006 to serve as a resource for malignant mesothelioma research. This funding opportunity will advance biomedical research for malignant mesothelioma by adding more biospecimens together with demographic data and clinical data. The virtual registry and tissue bank also serve as a virtual repository and offer a library of biospecimens and data that investigators can use and share, including genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. The key aspects of this opportunity include: • Helping identify early signs of disease • Supporting the development of biomarkers that show disease stage and prognosis • Helping develop new or improved treatment options • Expanding the NMVB and improving its ability to be a resource for both biomedical researchers and the clinical science community focused on malignant mesothelioma research