Chicago Core for Biomarkers in Population-Based Aging Research (CCBAR) at the NIA Center on Demography and Economics of Aging at NORC and the University of Chicago
The goal of CCBAR is to foster an interdisciplinary research
community and to establish a means of exchanging rapidly evolving ideas
related to biomarker collection in population-based health
research.
The three main activities of CCBAR are:
1) an annual conference series;
2) an interactive website; and
3) The Biomarker Core Interdisciplinary Workshop Series.
Annual Conferences
CCBAR organizes and hosts an annual conference series including
biomedical
and social researchers from around the country with expertise or
interest in biomarker collection. This series of two-day sessions
provide a unique opportunity to facilitate an ongoing
dialogue and establish a network of scientists actively engaged in
biomarker collection in population-based research on aging.
Topics covered in the conferences include: 1) updates on the most
recent
technological developments in the collection of biomarkers of disease,
cognition, function, and medication use among older adults; 2)
integrating social and biological data in multilevel, integrated
analyses, including exploration of the most useful theoretical and
statistical models; 3) ethical issues of privacy and reporting; and 4)
the practicalities of collecting biomarkers from older adults who may
have some physical or cognitive impairment. The conferences are
documented in annual "proceedings" which are disseminated via the
website (see below).
CCBAR Website
The CCBAR interactive website serves as a central resource for
collecting, monitoring, and disseminating the most recent developments
regarding biomarker data collection in population-based aging
research. CCBAR works to link researchers and provide a virtual
biomarker research community, establishing a means of exchanging
rapidly evolving ideas related to all aspects of biomarker collection
in population-based research. Questions that the website may
address include: 1) When should biomarkers be considered for inclusion
in population-based aging research?; 2) What principles justify the use
of biomarkers?; 3) What methods of collecting biomarkers are available
and under what circumstances are these methods best applied?; 4) What
are the best methods for analytically integrating sociodemographic data
with biological data?; 5) How can the integration of biomarkers in
population research enhance understanding of health and improve health
outcomes?; and 6) What are the human subjects implications for
conducting biomarker research in the population setting?
The Biomarker Core Interdisciplinary Workshop Series
With the understanding that health is a complex construct dependent
on psychological, social, cultural, biological and environmental
factors, the goal of The Biomarker Core Interdisciplinary Workshop
Series is to promote an interdisciplinary approach to the study of
health in aging populations. Through monthly meetings including
senior researchers from a broad range of disciplines, we hope to
promote a discourse that will help to develop and advance our
understanding of interdisciplinary theoretical approaches, methodology,
and analysis in order to optimize the study of health and aging.
Included in this discourse are an exploration of both the challenges
and opportunities to enhance interdisciplinary research both in Chicago
and in the larger scientific community. These meetings are
complemented by a series of smaller meetings that will provide
practical training for junior social and biological scientists in the
interdisciplinary research and analysis of aging. Through these
smaller meetings we also hope to develop a working curriculum for
others interested in interdisciplinary training in health and aging.