Molecular Targets Program

The primary work unit supported by the MTP is the intramural Project Team. More specifically, within the CCR the MTP provides the leadership and infrastructure for the organization of a series of "CCR Interdisciplinary Project Teams" to enhance and expedite molecular target validation, and molecularly targeted drug discovery initiatives of the CCR, NCI.

Each MTP Project Team typically comprises at least one senior member from one or more appropriate MTP Research focus areas. At least one Principal Investigator from the respective collaborating NCI Lab(s) or Branch(es) will serve as a team member. A Project Manager from the MTP will also be assigned to each Project Team. The Team may further include at least one postdoctoral fellow, as well as technical staff, from the MTP and/or the collaborating unit(s). A typical Project Team may comprise a total of about 5-6 individuals, depending on the expertise needed, the scope of the particular project, the number of active Project Teams and the available staff pool at any given time. Project Team membership may vary from time to time according to the immediate goal of the Project Team (e.g., assay development, lead isolation, biological investigation, etc.) and the stage of progress of the project.

Project Team members meet together frequently to review and document the Team's activities, and plan and assign further actions. The Team's work may be conducted predominantly within the MTP and/or the collaborating unit(s)' laboratory space. The Project Manager is responsible for documenting the Team's planning and progress.

Project Team senior staff will confer regularly with the Program Director, to review overall progress, and to identify and recommend resolution of common obstacles to project advancement. Individual Project Teams may be disbanded under advisement of the Program Director and Steering Committee, due to project completion, technical intractability or re-prioritization.