Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies Program (IMAT)

The Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) Program is aimed at the inception, development, integration, and application of novel and emerging technologies in the support of cancer research, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention. The IMAT Program is part of a broader technology development initiative within the NCI to harness specific technologies in the fight against cancer. This initiative underscores the desire of NCI to develop and integrate novel and emerging technologies in support of cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. In the research continuum of discovery, development, and delivery, the IMAT Program accelerates development and delivery. This specific program will therefore serve as the discovery tool of a larger NCI technology initiative by soliciting and funding highly innovative, high-risk and cancer-relevant technology development projects associated with the molecular analysis of cancer.

Examples of technologies supported through the IMAT Program include those that:

• Detect alterations and instabilities of genomic DNA
• Measure the expression of genes and gene products
• Analyze and detect gene and/or cellular products including post-translational modification and function of proteins
• Involve drug delivery technologies and approaches to enable faster and more accurate delivery of molecular and cellular labels and drugs to and within cells for research and treatment with the overall goals being speed, accuracy, and biocompatibility
• Assay or interrogate the function of major genes, proteins, and signal transduction networks involved in cancer

For more information about IMAT, visit http://innovation.cancer.gov.