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NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 75 years: 1950-2025 75 years: 1950-2025
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  3. Research Programs & Contacts
  4. Translational Research
  5. Target Identification

Translational Research: Target Identification

One of the first steps in discovering a new therapeutic is identifying a specific molecular target or phenotypic readout for which there is sufficient evidence that it plays a key role in disease progression or symptomology. This may involve approaches utilizing transgenic animals, monitoring signal transduction networks in ex vivo human samples, or genetic studies.

Starting Points
  1. Unvalidated
    Target
    Target ID
    Putative
    Targets
  2. Target Assay
    Screening
    Hits and
    Starting Points
  3. Hit
    Hit to Lead
    Lead Series
  4. Lead
    Compound
    Lead
    Optimization
    Potential
    Therapeutic
    Leads
  5. Pre‑clinical
    Candidate
    Pre‑clinical
    Development
    Clinical
    Therapeutic
    Candidate
  6. Clinical
    Candidate
    Clinical
    Development
    Clinical Proof
    of Concept
  7. Licensing and
    Commercializa-
    tion Partners
    Market-ready
    Therapeutics
Outcomes and Resources

NIH Funding Opportunities

Related Resources

Staff Contacts

Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
Dr. Anna Sadusky

Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
Dr. Bonnie Burgess-Beusse

Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases
Dr. Yan Li

For disease area expertise, review the Research Programs and Contacts page.

Last Reviewed October 2024