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Data Sharing

Communicating new discoveries and sharing resources, including data and physical material generated as part of the NCI Alliance for Nanotechnology in Cancer, is of critical importance to realize the full potential of nanotechnology for the good of cancer patients. Regular communication and sharing of information needs to occur at three basic levels:

  • Among institutions and investigators participating in the research activities within a given Center of Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (CCNEs);
  • Among the CCNEs and other programs that compose the Alliance; and
  • Among the greater research and development communities outside the Alliance.

Research goals can only be reached by achieving advances at each level of collaboration and data sharing. Therefore, it is critical that a well-organized system of data sharing be established both within and outside the Alliance to achieve not only the free exchange of data and materials for research purposes, but also the translation of research into commercially viable therapeutics and diagnostics to treat patients.

To address the challenges of data sharing, NCI has participated in the development of nanomaterial data sharing resources and opportunities for the research community to discuss data sharing and define standards for nanotechnology.

Data Sharing Tools

Cancer Nanotechnology Laboratory (caNanoLab) Data Portal
The caNanoLab is a web portal designed to facilitate sharing of well–characterized biomedical nanomaterial data in the research community.

Nanomaterial Registry
The Nanomaterial Registry is a free web-based resource launched by Research Triangle Institute International, organizes and evaluates the biological and environmental implications of well-characterized nanomaterials from publicly available resources.

National Cancer Informatics Program Nanotechnology Working Group (NCIP Nano WG)
The NCIP Nano WG was established to work closely with the nanotechnology research community to develop and encourage adoption of a shared informatics infrastructure that describes the physicochemical properties, biological interactions, and environmental interactions of nanomaterials. The NCIP Nano WG is comprised of over 20 active participants from academia, government and industry.

caNanoLab and Data Sharing Updates

caNanoLab 3.0 launched enhancements to improve usability – learn more about planned enhancements on caNanoLab Release Notes and provide feedback on the caNanoLab Usability Discussion Forum. August 2022

caNanoLab 2.4 launched enhancements to improve usability – learn more about planned enhancements on caNanoLab Release Notes and provide feedback on the caNanoLab Usability Discussion Forum. 
December 2021 

caNanoLab 2.0 launched with enhancements to improve usability-learn more about planned enhancements and provide feedback on the caNanoLab Usability Discussion Forum
December 2014

The Nanomaterial Registry and caNanoLab were highlighted as comprehensive NIH nanotechnology public repositories in Nature Nanotechnology article on checklist for life sciences "Joining the reproducibility initiative."
December 2014

caNanoLab provides nanomaterial research text for Data Sharing Plans applicable to NIH research grant applications
September 2014

caNanoLab is listed as a recommended data repository for Scientific Data, a new online journal launched by Nature's publishers that issues peer–reviewed descriptions of scientifically valuable datasets
May 2014

The Nanomaterial Registry provides text for Data Management Plans applicable to NIH or NSF research grant applications
May 2014

Data Sharing Publications

Nanocuration workflows: Establishing best practices for identifying, inputting, and sharing data to inform decisions on nanomaterials
Powers et al, Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2015, Sep 4;6:1860-71

The Nanomaterial Data Curation Initiative: A collaborative approach to assessing, evaluating, and advancing the state of the field
Hendren et al, Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2015, Aug 18;6:1752-62

Experiences in supporting the structured collection of cancer nanotechnology data using caNanoLab
Morris et al, Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology, 2015, Jul 21;6:1580-93

caNanoLab: data sharing to expedite the use of nanotechnology in biomedicine
Sharon Gaheen et al, Computational Science & Discovery, 2013, 6 014010

The Nanomaterial Registry: facilitating the sharing and analysis of data in the diverse nanomaterial community
Ostraat ML et al, International Journal of Nanomedicine, 2013:8 (Suppl 1) 7-13.

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