The NIST NCI Biomarker Validation work is funded through an Interagency Agreement that focuses on validation and technology development related to promising early cancer detection tests with many different technologies.

• The NIST-NCI (National Cancer Institute) Biomarker Validation work is funded through an Interagency Agreement. This effort focuses on validation and technology development related to promising early cancer detection tests. NIST is one of ~25 collaborating laboratories of the Early Detection Research Network (EDRN). Activities in this area include: (1) validation of mtDNA sequence for lung cancer detection via capillary and MitoChip sequencing; and (2) technology development related to telomerase detection. In addition, a telomerase standard is being developed. NIST is also developing a standard for testing of HER2, including the application of nanomaterials such as quantum dots for use in FISH quantitation of HER2 gene copy numbers. http://www.cstl.nist.gov/biotech/DNATechologies/Diagnostics&Detection_Netwk.htm

• J. P. Jakupciak, W. Wang, M. E. Markowitz, D. Ally, S. Srivastava, A. Maitra, P.E. Barker, D. Sidransky, C. D. O'Connell, “ Mitochondrial DNA as a Cancer Biomarker” . Journal of Molecular Diagnostics 2005, 7, 258-267.
• J. P. Jakupciak, P.E. Barker, W.Wang, S. Srivastava , D.H. Atha, "Preparation and Characterization of Candidate Reference Materials for Telomerase Assays" Clinical Chemistry (in press)..
• Y. Xiao and P. E. Barker, “ Semiconductor Nanocrystal Probes for Human Metaphase Chromosomes ”, Nucleic Acids Res. 2004, 32, E28.
• J. P. Jakupciak, W. Wang, P.E. Barker, S. Srivastava, and D.H.Atha, "Analytical Validation of Telomerase Activity for Cancer Early Detection" , Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, 2004, 6, 157-165.
• NCI's Early Detection Research Network: http://www3.cancer.gov/prevention/cbrg/edrn/