Relevant to CHEAR Core FOA

What are the analytical capabilities of CHEAR, and is there a list of exposures CHEAR can measure?

• CHEAR has an extensive list of analytical capabilities which includes targeted analysis of specific exposures, untargeted (metabolomics) analyses, and biological response indicators. CHEAR is in the process of tabulating those offerings and performing quality assurance testing to validate and harmonize our capabilities. We anticipate publishing a list of services on the CHEAR web site prior to the time we begin accepting applications from the CHEAR user community. As a starting point, you can assume that CHEAR will have the capability of measuring the majority of targeted analytes CDC measures for NHANES as well as others.

Who is eligible to use CHEAR, and how do we access the resource?

• CHEAR will accept applications for analysis from any studies of Children’s Health that have been supported by NIH extramural grants. Other eligibility criteria include that the samples must be human biological specimens, that the investigator applying have status to compete for NIH funding, and that the study have appropriate consent and IRB approval for the analysis that CHEAR will conduct. The application and review process is under development and is expected to be released in the summer of 2016.

What services will CHEAR provide to ECHO through the ECHO CHEAR Core?

• During the UG3 phase, the CHEAR labs will support the feasibility assessment of conducting exposure analysis on the samples provided without cost to the UG3. It is expected that during the UG3 phase the CHEAR and ECHO steering committees will develop a standardized set of common analytes that will be measured on samples from the UH3 phase; this decision will be based on a combination of factors including the analytical capabilities of CHEAR, the scientific rationale for the analyses, and the cost of the analysis.

Do we need to include a budget for analyses by CHEAR or for environmental exposures in our ECHO Pediatric Cohort RFA (RFA-OD-16-004) application?

• In the UG3 phase, applicants should budget for analysis of exposures which are central to their hypotheses. During the UG3 phase, CHEAR will support limited analysis to support feasibility assessment without cost. For instance, if a UG3 is proposing to assess an association between pesticide exposures and neurological development, CHEAR will support the analysis of a small number (10 to 20) of urine samples to demonstrate feasibility, but will not be able to support the analysis of large numbers (hundreds) of samples to verify the association.
• In the UH3 phase, CHEAR will support the analysis of the agreed upon common measures (Core Elements) for all samples without costs. Additional analytes may be measured beyond this set, but UH3 investigators will need to include a budget for such analysis.

Will ECHO investigators need to apply for access to CHEAR?

• CHEAR is dedicating analytical capacity to ECHO – the ECHO CHEAR Core. There will be a streamlined process for ECHO investigators that focuses on clarifying issues related to sample numbers and analytical needs as well as consent/IRB approvals.

Other than the analysis through the CHEAR Labs, what role will the CHEAR Data Center and Coordinating Center have in ECHO?

• It is anticipated that the ECHO investigators will be supported by the ECHO Data Analysis Center and Coordinating Center. The CHEAR Data Center and Coordinating Center will receive funds to coordinate with the ECHO Data Analysis Center and Coordinating Center for activities and at a level of support to be determined.

Where can I learn more about CHEAR?

• For more information on CHEAR, please visit https://chearprogram.org.