Task Force on Strategic Research Direction

This report is an outcome of the Basic Science Subgroup’s teleconference discussions and consolidates the topic descriptions written by Subgroup members. The key topics identified by the Basic Science Subgroup are: ### Scope This topic includes systems biology, information theory, computational biology, gene-gene interactions, gene-environment interactions, postgenomic areas such as phenotypic characterization of living systems and proteomics, biomarkers for atherosclerotic CVD and congestive heart failure (CHF), image analysis, genetic factors predisposing individuals to CVD/stroke or decreasing risk, registries of patients/biological samples, application of gene chip technology to stroke, and complex physiological systems. ### Introduction Sequencing of the human genome and other recent developments in science provide new tools that promise to change dramatically—some would say to revolutionize—basic science approaches to many aspects of health, particularly CVD. To use these tools effectively, however, will require the application of the rapidly developing, interrelated fields of systems biology, information theory, and computational biology. It is possible to imagine a day when knowledge of an individual’s genetic or proteomic makeup, in conjunction with more sophisticated knowledge of gene-environment interactions and other advances such as new imaging techniques, will allow individually based screening protocols, individualized presymptomatic lifestyle and dietary counseling, individualized presymptomatic prophylactic medication use, and individualized therapies. These approaches will serve to lower dramatically the incidence and severity of obesity, hypertension, atherosclerosis, CHF, and stroke, and will provide more effective, individualized therapies to those who still develop these disorders. ### Subcategories of Research Among the ways that these tools will inform our approach to cardiovascular health and disease is the achievement of a much more sophisticated understanding of the actions of single genes. Importantly, a greater contribution will come from …