This Phase II SBIR project will complete development of geographic boundary analysis software for the evaluation of spatial relationships among oncogenes, the environment, and cancer. Boundaries are the edges of homogeneous areas or are zones of rapid change in a variable's value, and are of fundamental scientific interest in fields such as population genetics, exposure assessment, and cancer epidemiology. Examples include borders of health, water, and political districts; features such as rivers and roads; edges of pollution plumes; ecotones; and zones of rapid change in health outcomes such as cancer mortality. During Phase I, investigators developed prototype software (GEM) and User Manual. The prototype was evaluated by a panel of experts and applied to detect zones of rapid change in cancer mortality in Illinois. These results firmly demonstrate project feasibility, and Phase II will build on them to accomplish five objectives: 1) Refine the software in response to expert panel's critique; 2) Conduct applied studies for inclusion in the User Manual; 3) Assess the statistical power of boundary statistics; 4) Implement fuzzy boundary statistics; and 5) Prepare educational materials for university courses. Accomplishment of these aims will provide the educational foundation and tools needed to explore boundary-generating phenomena.

Proposed Commercial Applications

NOT AVAILABLE

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase II (R44)
Project #
5R44CA069864-03
Application #
2895480
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-HUD-3 (03))
Program Officer
Choudhry, Jawahar
Project Start
1997-05-01
Project End
2001-06-30
Budget Start
1999-07-02
Budget End
2001-06-30
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Biomedware
Department
Type
DUNS #
City
Ann Arbor
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48103