Collaborate With NCATS

Experts in our Division of Preclinical Innovation actively seek collaborators on various research projects. As a research collaborator, we provide a highly skilled translational science workforce, state-of-the-art facilities and informatics capabilities, a strong commitment to team science, and access to innovative partnerships. Through this relationship, we can help our research partners accelerate science, maximize efficiency and conserve limited resources.

Find out how to collaborate with our intramural research team and learn more about the expertise and resources they can offer.

Early Translation

Using quantitative high-throughput screening, our experts identify promising compounds to engage novel targets. The center’s medicinal chemists work to improve potency, selectivity and pharmacokinetic properties needed for an in vitro/in vivo pharmacological probe of each novel target. NCATS experts then test these probes using induced pluripotent stem cells or 3-D bioprinting platforms, or in animal efficacy models. Early translation capabilities include:

• 3-D Tissue Bioprinting: Our experts are applying the techniques of 3-D bioprinting to develop tissue models that mimic the organization and physiology of cells in the tissues of living organisms, in a microplate format for drug screening. Contact Marc Ferrer, Ph.D., or Sam Michael to learn more about collaboration opportunities.
• Analytical Chemistry: Analytical chemistry experts support research throughout the Center, across NIH and with other partners. Primarily focused on small molecule analysis and purification, their state-of-the-art laboratory has a wide variety of instrumentation for medicinal, synthetic and analytical chemistry to support early-stage chemical development. Contact Chris LeClair, Ph.D., for more information.
• Assay Development and Screening Technology (ADST): ADST experts work to advance therapeutic development through research and development of innovative assay designs and chemical library screening methods. Contact Manju Swaroop to get started.
• Automation: Our automation experts maintain, operate and continuously improve a full range of laboratory instrumentation and processes, and support activities in high-throughput screening and assay development and optimization. Contact Sam Michael for more information.
• Chemistry Technology: Chemistry technology experts at NCATS develop small molecules and screening approaches that other scientists can use to pursue innovations in therapeutic development. NCATS supports innovative chemistry technology projects ranging from novel library design to inventive bioanalysis techniques. Contact Jennifer Kouznetsova to learn more about how to access program experts and resources.
• Compound Management: These experts provide follow-up and dose-response library-plating services for NCATS screening activities. Screening access to our compound libraries is provided through collaboration. Requests for new collaborations should be directed to Kelli M. Wilson, Ph.D.
• Early Translation Branch (ETB): ETB program staff offer biomedical researchers access to large-scale screening capacity and medicinal chemistry and informatics expertise to develop chemical probe molecules. These resources can help scientists study the functions of genes, cells and biochemical pathways. Collaborators also have access to assay development and high-throughput screening, chemistry and chemistry technology, automation, and informatics. To learn more and to obtain ETB probe molecules, contact Marc Ferrer, Ph.D.
• Functional Genomics Lab: The Functional Genomics Lab, administered by staff in our Division of Preclinical Innovation, is designed to help NIH investigators use the latest functional genomics technology to advance drug discovery and scientific knowledge about health and disease. NIH investigators can submit proposals to the Functional Genomics Lab. Contact Ken Cheng, Ph.D. for additional information.
• Informatics: Our informatics experts aim to transform raw numeric data obtained from large-scale experiments into actionable decisions in chemistry and biology by developing algorithms and software to disseminate research results to the broader community. Contact Ewy A. Mathé, Ph.D., to learn more.
• Stem Cell Translation Laboratory (SCTL): Through the SCTL, NCATS provides researchers across various disciplines and organizations with the ability to establish collaborations to advance the translation of regenerative medicine applications. NCATS seeks stem cell research collaborators from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and NIH intramural and extramural communities on an ongoing basis. Proposal receipt dates are July 1, November 1 and March 1. To learn more, contact Carlos A. Tristan, Ph.D.
• Toxicology in the 21st Century (Tox21): The goal of Tox21 is to develop more efficient and less time-consuming approaches to predict how chemicals may affect human health. Any investigator may propose the development of in vitro assays with toxicological relevance for high-throughput screening. Proposed assays must be compatible with the high-throughput screening guidelines described in the assay guidance criteria. To learn more, contact Menghang Xia, Ph.D.

Late-Stage Translation

NCATS staff can provide expertise that enables and accelerates Investigational New Drug (IND) applications. Investigators or companies who have identified promising small molecules, biologics or gene therapies can form joint project teams with NCATS’ Therapeutic Development Branch staff — including Bridging Interventional Development Gaps (BrIDGs) and Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) scientists — to develop IND-ready therapies for consideration by the Food and Drug Administration for clinical testing. Late-stage translation capabilities include:

• BrIDGs: NCATS assists researchers in advancing promising therapeutic agents through late-stage preclinical development toward Investigational New Drug applications and clinical testing. To discuss a potential collaboration with BrIDGs scientists, contact the TDB.
• TRND: Through this program, NCATS provides collaborators with access to significant in-kind resources and expertise in the preclinical and early clinical development of new therapeutics for rare conditions and neglected tropical diseases. To discuss a potential collaboration with TRND scientists, contact the TDB to learn more.

Training and Education

We aim to increase awareness and understanding of translational science through the development, demonstration and dissemination of educational and training resources to the larger biomedical research community. It also fosters a highly skilled, creative and diverse translational science workforce by developing and supporting innovative translational science training methods and programs. Access some of these resources:

• Assay Guidance Manual: Through this initiative, we provide best practices and training resources devoted to the successful development of robust, early-stage drug discovery assays. Contact Sarine Markossian, Ph.D. to learn more.
• Translational Science Training at NCATS: We provide a variety of onsite training opportunities for high school, undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral trainees. For more information, contact Amanda Vogel, Ph.D., M.P.H.

Collaborate on Other Intramural Projects

For more information on how to collaborate with us on other intramural research topics, contact Ann Knebel, Ph.D., RN.

To view existing project collaborations, visit the NIH Intramural Database and select “National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS)” in the “Select Institute or Center to search” drop-down menu.