A platform for sharing biological networks to improve cancer research
Official title: The Network Data Exchange - a Network Commons for Biologists
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11055449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to make an online tool better for scientists who study cancer, helping them share and analyze important biological information that could lead to better treatments for patients like you.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $871,603 |
| NIH project number | 5U24CA269436-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals diagnosed with various types of cancer, as the findings may enhance understanding and treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not involved in biomedical research may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the Network Data Exchange (NDEx), an online platform where scientists can find, share, and distribute biological networks. By maintaining and scaling NDEx, the project aims to support a growing community of researchers analyzing complex biomedical datasets, particularly in cancer biology. The platform integrates with popular data science tools and provides access to a vast repository of biological networks, which can help in understanding the molecular diversity of tumors. Patients may benefit indirectly as this research could lead to improved cancer treatments through better data analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to advancements in cancer treatment by enabling more effective analysis of biological data.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research in data sharing and network analysis has shown success in enhancing cancer research, indicating that this approach is promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pratt, Dexter — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pratt, Dexter
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.