June 2003 | VOL. 6 | www.McGowan.pitt.edu

Institute Director Alan J. Russell, PhD has announced the formation of the McGowan Center for Pre-Clinical Studies, and the selection of Stephen Badylak,PhD, DVM, MD as the Center Director. Dr. Badylak joined the Institutein January 2003, and has extensive experience in these design and operation of stat-of-the-art pre-clinical study programs. The McGowan Institute is recognized around the world for the substantial accomplishments in pre-clinical studies related to cardiac therapy and particularly artificial hearts. The Institute’s research programs have broadened to beyond cardiac care and now encompass artificial organs, cellular therapy and tissue engineering.

As a result of the significant increase in scope, encompassing all aspects of regenerative medicine, the Institute is broadening and strengthening our pre-clinical studies team to ensure that all aspects of regenerative medicine are addressed as effectively and efficiently as the cardiac care area has been addressed to date. The McGowan Institute is committed to establishing a world-class center that facilitates and expedites the movement of all regenerative medicine technologies into clinical practice.

 

The McGowan Institute was pleased to introduce Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Sam Smith to the Institute's programs on May 28, 2003. Majority Leader Smith toured the Institute laboratories in the McGowan Building and Bridgeside Point. In the limited time that was available, he saw research in the pre-clinical trials program, artificial lung development, bioartificial liver, bioreactors and tissue engineering.

In the past four years, the Commonwealth has invested nearly $3.5 million in funding for seed projects at the Institute and provided an additional $3.25 million toward the construction of the McGowan Building. It was important for Mr. Smith to see the progress that has been made as a result of the Commonwealth’s investment. Our data shows that for every dollar of Commonwealth investment that provides seed funding, Institute faculty have been able to derive over ten dollars of Federal research support.

 

The 2002-2003 Seminar Series concluded on May 29, 2003. The Seminars are cosponsored by the Department of Bioengineering, the McGowan Institute and the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative. Under the leadership of Lars Gilbertson, Ph.D. the weekly seminars brought to campus speakers with many interests and backgrounds, but all whom are preeminent in their fields. The 29 seminars that were presented in 2002-2003 have provided significant opportunities for students and faculty to interact with national and international experts. This is the second year that Dr. Gilbertson has chaired the seminar program. In appreciation of his contributions, Dr. Russell presented Lars with a plaque recognizing his contributions to the development and implementation of the seminar program. One of the innovations implemented by Lars is the capture of seminar presentations on video so that they can be viewed by faculty at a later time. From the 2002-2003 seminars, 9 presentations are available on the McGowan Institute Intranet.

The 2003-2004 Seminar Series will begin in September and is chaired by Dr. Kacey Marra. Dr. Marra has already identified many exciting speakers for the Fall. The new schedule will be published in August.

 

GENE THERAPY MAY BE A CURE FOR POST-RADICAL PROSTATECTOMY ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

A team led by Michael Chancellor, M.D., director of neurourology at UPMC and professor of urology at the School of Medicine reported that gene therapy may not only be a feasible, but also may be an ideal treatment for neuropathic erectile dysfunction (ED). Neuropathic ED results from damage to the nerves essential to achieving and maintaining an erection and is experienced by 79.6 percent of men who undergo radical prostatectomies. Results of the study were presented at the 2003 annual meeting of the American Urological Association (AUA).

"While radical prostatectomy can be a cure for early stage prostate cancer in a large percentage of patients, there are a number of risks and side effects that patients must consider when deciding on whether to have the surgery or not - one of those being the high likelihood of experiencing erectile dysfunction." said Dr. Chancellor. In addition to studying the use of gene therapy to treat post-radical prostatectomy ED, the team is also investigating the potential of using muscle derived stem cells to regenerate the peripheral nerves often damaged by radical prostatectomy.

GAMMA KNIFE RADIOSURGERY PROVIDES LONG-TERM CONTROL OF BENIGN BRAIN TUMORS

Douglas Kondziolka, M.D and his colleagues have reported that treating benign brain tumors with gamma knife radiosurgery has resulted in long-term tumor control in 95 percent of patients; the results of the study were presented at the quadrennial meeting of the American Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery in New York.

"Stereotactic radiosurgery using the gamma knife provided high rates of tumor growth control, often with tumor regression, and low morbidity rates for patients with benign intracranial tumors when evaluated over the long term; said Douglas Kondziolka, M.D., principal investigator in the study and professor of neurological surgery and radiation oncology, vice chairman of education in the department of neurological surgery and co-director of the Center for Image-Guided Neurosurgery."

For additional details, please click here.

WESTERN PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE & CLINIC FEATURED ON OnQ MAGAZINE

The Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC) was featured during the first week of May on WQED-TV shows OnQ Magazine and Black Horizons. The coverage was in conjunction with National Mental Health Awareness Month. The spots focused on depression in its many forms. WPIC is the country’s leading center for depression treatment.

"Pittsburgh has one of the country's most established centers in depression treatment and research, but relatively few people in this region really know what a tremendous resource they have in their own backyard," said David J. Kupfer, M.D., Thomas Detre professor and chair, department of psychiatry. "This series on WQED gives us an opportunity to showcase the depth of our clinical and research programs.

GRANT RECEIVED FUNCTIONAL TISSUE ENGINEERING FOR STRESS INCONTINENCE

Michael S. Sacks received a $1,351,000 grant for Functional Tissue Engineering for Stress Incontinence from the National Institutes of Health. The research is being conducted in collaboration with Michael B. Chancellor. Using techniques developed in his laboratory, Sacks plans to mount a systematic in-vitro and in-vivo physiological and biomechanical analysis of muscle stem cell-based tissue engineering treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

 

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AWARDED NIH GRANT

Dan Debrah, a senior undergraduate bioengineering student, has been awarded a National Institutes of Health research fellowship for $8,000. His research effort will focus on the effects of relaxin, a pregnancy-associated hormone, on systemic vascular mechanical properties (especially arterial compliance) in conscious rats. He will also evaluate mechanical properties of isolated vessels from these rates in an in-vitro setup. This research project is in collaboration with Magee-Women's Research Institute. Debrah is mentored by Sanjeev G. Shroff and Kirk Conrad.

BEST POSTER AWARD TO MARASCALCO

Phil Marascalco, Bioengineering PhD candidate who is working with Marina Kameneva, PhD received the "Best poster" award at the First Annual Richard L. Simmons Lecture in Surgical Science and Department of Surgery Research Day (May 2003) . Phil's poster title was: "Effects of Blood Soluble Drag-Reducing Polymers on Hemodynamics and Hemorheology in Normal and Diabetic Rats"

Questions - Contact Lindsay Rodzwicz, Pre-Award Grants Administrator of the McGowan Institute at rodzwiczlj@msx.upmc.edu or 412-235-5157.

 

Title: Program Project Grant for Diabetes Research

Program Number: 71050

Establish Date: 11/13/2002

Contact: Dr. Daniel Jang
Attention: Letter of Intent
120 Wall Street
19th Floor
New York,NY 10005-4001

Tel: 212-479-7580

Email: djang@jdrf.org

Program URL: http://www.jdrf.org/research/appprog.php

Deadline: 9/1/2003

Deadline Note: Applicants must first submit a letter of intent. Letters of intent may be submitted at any time. Applicants will be notified within six weeks of receipt of letter whether to submit a full application and proposal. The deadlines for full applications are February 3, 2003 and September 1, 2003.

Synopsis: The sponsor awards grants intended to support collaborative investigations that lead to or address questions of clinical relevance that will impact the treatment or prevention of type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Objectives: Program projects must have a central theme that is highly relevant to the sponsor's research emphasis areas and clearly defined goals that can be achieved within the three-year period. Component projects should be interactive and will generally have interdependent outcomes. An overall Program Project principal investigator is required to coordinate and manage the Program to achieve its objectives.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent and have a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, company, or other research facility. Applications may be submitted by domestic and foreign non-profit organizations, public and private, such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. Ordinarily, for-profit organizations will not be considered, except under special circumstances. There are no citizenship requirements and racial/ethnic minority individuals, women, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as Principal Investigators.

 

Title: Correlative Studies Using Specimens from Multi-Institutional Prevention and Treatment Trials

Program Number: 72509

Establish Date: 2/4/2003

CFDA #s: 93.393, 93.394, 93.395.

Federal Contact: Dr. Roy Wu
Clinical Grants & Contracts Branch,
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis
Executive Plaza North, Rm. 7009,
6130 Executive Boulevard Bethesda,MD 20892-7432

Tel:301-496-8866

Fax:301-480-4663

Email: wur@ctep.nci.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-064.html

Deadline(s): 6/1/2003, 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004, 10/1/2004, and 2/1/2005

Deadline Note: This program expires on March 1, 2005, unless reissued.

PA-03-064
Objectives: The following are the program objectives: to provide investigators with support for correlative studies using trial related tumor specimens to compare genetic variations and molecular changes from cell nucleus, cytosol, cell surface and extracellular matrix to tumorigenesis and progression, drug resistance, therapeutic effectiveness of interventions, and various patients' clinical outcomes; to decipher valuable information from these tumor specimens and to discover new cancer interventions by utilizing these tumor tissue resources and accumulated clinical trial results/outcomes for better cancer risk assessment, early detection and prediction for response to various cancer therapies and prevention; and to promote translational research and foster collaborations and interactions between basic researchers and clinical investigators from academia, private industry and non-profit organizations to perform correlative studies to ensure that new findings will be rapidly translated into clinical practice. The objectives of this program are to foster collaborations and interactions between basic researchers, private industry, and clinical investigators to perform clinical translational research on promising predictive and prognostic markers. These studies should focus on clinical correlative or mechanistic studies that will be useful for cancer risk assessment, early detection, prognosis, and predicting response to therapy and to prevention interventions. These studies should focus on correlations between biologic features of tissue specimens collected from the NCI Cooperative Groups or other large multi-institutional clinical trials and patient outcomes.Some examples of therapeutic laboratory correlates may include but are not limited to: phenotypic or genotypic alterations which appear to correlate with the development of therapy resistance; loss or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes related to prognosis; analysis of basal membrane factors or genes related to tumor invasion and metastases; studies of chromosomal rearrangements or deletions that may be used for risk assessment, early detection, or prognosis; correlation of tumor growth factors or oncogenes with response to therapies during cancer progression; alterations in cell cycle control; characterization of immune response with association to new immunotherapies for prevention or treatment; evaluation of serum or tumor biomarkers for risk assessment, early detection, or prognosis; analyses of expression of cellular receptors for growth factors or differentiating agents; defining and targeting specific signal transduction pathways and populations of cells for therapy; analysis of in vitro response of tumor cells to growth factors/differentiating agents; and evaluating accessible sites for precancerous changes occurring in less accessible sites, for instance the oral cavity as a surrogate site for the lung in smokers.

 

Title: Exploratory/Developmental (R21) Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG)

Program Number: 72264

Establish Date: 1/23/2003

Federal Contact: Houston Baker, Ph.D.
6130 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda, MD 20892-7412
Tel:301-594-9117

Fax:301-480-3507

Email:bakerhou@mail.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-058.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004, 10/1/2004, 2/1/2005, 6/1/2005, 10/1/2005

Deadline Note: This program expires on January 1, 2006, unless reissued. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute will accept applications for the June 1, 2003 deadline only, after which it will no longer participate in this program.

Objectives: Research can explore approaches and concepts new to a particular substantive area; research and development of new technologies, techniques or methods; or initial research and development of data upon which significant future research may be built. The objective is to invite applications in exploratory or developmental bioengineering research (EBRG). The EBRG can support: innovative, high-risk research, for which preliminary results have not yet been obtained; exploration of new approaches or concepts to a particular substantive area; research and development of new technologies, techniques or methods; or initial research and development of data upon which significant future research may be built. The EBRG will support exploratory or developmental bioengineering research that is not appropriate for the R01 grant mechanism. The EBRG is appropriate for early stages of research or for investigating new ideas where risk is high but potential significance is also high and where the research needed to make a decision about proceeding to a larger scale R01 effort is moderate. Bioengineering is defined as follows: integrates physical, chemical, or mathematical sciences and engineering principles for the study of biology, medicine, behavior, or health. A few examples of bioengineering areas of relevance are identified below. This list is illustrative only; it is not intended to be exclusive: development of molecular probes for imaging of structure or function; development of new imaging modalities; development of organ culture systems; development of biomaterials or engineered tissues; development or evaluation of prostheses; development of medical implants, biomembranes, or sensors; development of tools for robotic or non-invasive surgery; development of microarrays or other tools for genomics; development of combinatorial or other techniques for high-throughput screening; development of techniques for bioprocessing; research on the biomechanics of tissue injury or repair, and standing or walking; research on the interactions between biomaterials and living systems; research on drug, gene, or cellular therapeutic delivery systems; and research on the interaction of magnetic or other fields with biological systems.

CFDA #s: 93.286, 93.287, 93.394, 93.395, 93.396, 93.306, 93.867, 93.172, 93.837, 93.838, 93.839, 93.866, 93.273, 93.855, 93.856, 93.846, 93.864, 93.865, 93.929, 93.279, 93.173, 93.121, 93.847, 93.848, 93.849, 93.113, 93.821, 93.859, 93.862, 93.242, 93.853, 93.361, 93.879.

 

Title: High-Impact Pilot Studies in Cancer Biology

Program Number: 71550

Establish Date: 12/10/2002

Federal Contact: Dr. Barbara A. Spalholz
Division of Cancer Biology
EPN 5034
Bethesda,MD 20892-7396
Tel:301-496-7028

Fax:301-402-1037

Email: bs62d@nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-041.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004 and 10/1/2004

Deadline Note: This program expires on December 31, 2004, unless reissued.

PA-03-041
Objectives: Appropriate projects would be those that could lead to a breakthrough in understanding of the cancer process, significantly challenge accepted paradigms on cancer mechanisms, or reveal novel targets for therapeutic exploration. Proposals must be relevant to the sponsor's mission with potential to have high impact on understanding of basic cancer biology. High impact is defined as having the potential for precedent-setting significance. Examples of appropriate research areas include, but are not restricted to, how variations in genes combine with the cellular environment to cause cancer; development of new experimental models that parallel human cancer-related pathways and processes; and exploration of new molecular pathways important in cancer biology particularly those that could realistically lead to novel targets for therapeutic development. An important goal of this program is to accelerate basic cancer biology research that could greatly benefit all aspects of cancer research.

Eligibility: Applications will be accepted from newly independent or established investigators, however, these grants are not intended to support or supplement ongoing funded research.

 

Title: Quick-Trials for Novel Cancer Therapies

Program Number: 53900

Establish Date: 2/1/2000

Federal Contact: Dr. Roy Wu
Clinical Grants & Contracts Branch,
Cancer Therapy Evaluation Program
Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, Executive Plaza
North, Rm. 7009
6130 Executive Boulevard
Bethesda,MD 20892-7432

Tel:301-496-8866

Fax:301-480-4663

Email:wur@ctep.nci.nih.gov

URL:http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-005.html

Deadline(s): 8/11/2003, 12/9/2003, 4/9/2004 and 8/9/2004

Deadline Note: This program expires on August 10, 2004, unless reissued.

PAR-03-005
Objectives: The focus is on translational research in new agent development to ensure the timely exploitation of new cancer therapeutic approaches including the development of new cancer prevention agents. Awards support exploratory translational and clinical research studies involving cancer prevention, chemotherapy and rapid development and application of novel clinical cancer therapies including image guided therapeutic procedures. This program will support scientific, technological, clinical and logistical needs in novel cancer therapy development.

Eligibility: An application may include one or more institutions (e.g., individual institutions, consortia, cancer centers) with established clinical, laboratory, and statistical resources.

 

Title: Research on Ethical Issues in Human Studies

Program Number: 48669

Establish Date: 4/7/1999

Federal Contact: Della M. Hann, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Research
Building 1, Room 152
Bethesda,MD 20892

Tel: 301-402-2725

Fax: 301-402-3469

Email: hannd@od.nih.gov

Program URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-103.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004 and 10/1/2004

Deadline Note: This program expires in April 2005, unless reissued.

PA-99-079
Objectives: The purpose of this program announcement is to solicit research addressing the ethical challenges of involving human participants in research in order to inform and optimize protections for human participation in research. Interdisciplinary and collaborative projects are encouraged, particularly those involving clinical researchers, ethicists, and behavioral/social scientists. Examples of the types of topics that would be appropriate for applications submitted under this announcement include, but are not limited to, the following: Minimizing Risks in Human Research; Issues in Informed Consent; and Oversight of Research and Research Data.

Eligibility: New investigators are encouraged to apply.

 

Title: Integrated Biomedical Technology Research Resources for Proteomics and Glycomics

Program Number: 68915

Establish Date: 7/29/2002

Federal Contact: Douglas M. Sheeley, Sc.D.
Division of Biomedical Technology
6705 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7965
Bethesda,MD 20892-7965

Tel:301-435-0755

Fax:301-480-3659

Email:sheeleyd@ncrr.nih.gov

Program URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-132.html

Deadline(s): 9/1/2003 and 10/1/2003

Deadline Note: Although not required, and not binding, the sponsor requests a letter of intent. Letter of intent receipt dates are September 1, January 1, and May 1. The corresponding application receipt dates are October 1, February 1, and June 1. This program expires on November 1, 2003, unless reissued.

PA-02-132
Objectives: The sponsor provides support to foster the development of improved technologies and methods for proteomics and glycomics research by sponsoring integrated Biomedical Technology Research Resources through the P41 mechanism. These integrated Research Resources will develop a range of innovative analytical tools and methods, and apply these tools to biologically significant problems. The Research Resources will also provide broad access to these integrated technologies through collaboration, service, training, and dissemination activities. While some responses to this program announcement will concentrate on core proteomics technologies, those with special expertise in analytical glycobiology are encouraged. Proposed integrated research resource centers should focus on the core technological and methodological problems of proteomics. Regardless of the specific experimental approaches taken in proteomics experiments, a common theme in this field is the need for synergy among three principal domains: biological competencies; analytical chemistry; and computational tools. These domains should each inform the development of tools and methods in their counterpart areas. Within the broad scope of proteomics, there are perhaps five types of questions that are addressed in some form: identification of individual proteins, recognition of protein interactions; relative quantitation to distinguish differential expression of proteins; characterization of post-translational modifications; and formulation of models based on results from components one through four. Glycobiology-focused proteomics, or glycomics, requires the development of novel approaches and tools directed at the special challenges of glycobiology. Strategies for separation, profiling, quantitation, and detailed characterization of carbohydrate structures are central challenges. Bioinformatics tools are needed for data handling and reduction, correlation of carbohydrate and protein information, recognizing shifts in glycoprotein microheterogeneity, and model building. Synthesis, three-dimensional structural analysis, and a variety of other carbohydrate-specific analytical tools may prove necessary to varying degrees, depending on the global strategies adopted and thematic focus of a center. Providing biomedical investigators access to a Resource's technology constitutes the service activity. Plans for training activities must be submitted. Plans for dissemination of the Resource's technology, expertise or accomplishments must be submitted.

Eligibility: Eligible applicants are domestic for-profit or non-profit organizations, public or private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories, units of state and local governments, and eligible agencies of the federal government. Foreign institutions may be included as subcontracts. It is not absolutely required that all participating investigators and laboratories be collocated either at a single institution or in the same local geographic area. A minimum of three technological research projects constitutes the core section of the application. Resource Center staff should continuously develop new, significant applications of the resource technology in the biomedical sciences through high-quality collaborative research projects that are closely related to core technology development.

 

Program Number: 60507

Title: NCRR--Strategies for Germ-Line Modification in the Rat

Establish Date: 4/10/2001

Federal Contact: John D. Harding, Ph.D.
Division of Comparative Medicine
6705 Rockledge Drive
Suite 6050, MSC 7965
Bethesda,MD 20892-7965

Tel:301-435-0776

Fax:301-480-3819

Email:hardingj@ncrr.nih.gov

URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-01-077.html

Deadline(s): 9/1/2003 and 10/1/2003

Deadline Note: Although not required, and not binding, prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent. Letter of intent receipt dates are September 1, 2001, September 1, 2002, and September 1, 2003. The corresponding application receipt dates are October 1, 2001, October 1, 2002, and October 1, 2003.

PAR-01-077
Objectives: Development of rat embryonic stem cell (ESC) technology by modification of current techniques or development of new approaches will meet the needs of researchers using the rat to study human health and disease. This initiative is designed for rat models only and should not include human subjects or tissues. Some illustrative examples of research topics that could be addressed under this program announcement are:

• strategies for culturing pluripotent rat ESCs to allow genetic manipulation and to create rats with germ-line transmission of genetic modifications.
• development of alternative technologies to create null mutations or gene replacement in the rat.
• development of cost-effective NT procedures in the rat.
• studies that demonstrate mutation transfer to rat stem cells or other cells for transfer into embryos or germ cells.
• methods for targeting engineered introns into rat chromosomal DNA to support the study of gene function.

CFDA #s: 93.306, 93.396, 93.837, 93.865, 93.853, 93.866, 93.279.

 

Title: NCRR--Technology Development for Biomedical Applications:Phased Innovation Award (R21/R33)

Program Number: 40183

Establish Date: 4/1/1998

Federal Contact: Gregory K. Farber, Ph.D.
Biomedical Technology
One Rockledge Centre, Room 6152
6705 Rockledge Drive MSC 7965
Bethesda,MD 20892-7965

Tel: 301-435-0755

Fax: 301-480-3659

Email: farberg@ncrr.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-02-091.html

Deadline(s): 6/1/2003 and 10/1/2003

Deadline Note: This program expires on March 1, 2005, unless reissued.

Objectives: The proposed research may involve conceptualization, design, fabrication, and/or testing of new instruments or devices. Applications to develop new experimental techniques and protocols using existing instrumentation are also welcome. Applications to develop new software are also invited, but this does not include most proposals in the area of medical informatics. It is expected that applications in any of these areas will have broad application to biomedical research. The overall objective of these applications for new instruments, techniques, or software should be the development of more powerful and more precise technology for biomedical research. NCRR and NIBIB are especially interested in proposals in the areas of biomedical engineering, technologies for the study of structure and function of biological systems at all levels of complexity, and biomedical imaging. The NHGRI is interested in supporting technological advances in the following areas of research: genomic sequencing; human sequence variation (e.g., genotyping); functional genomics; comparative genomics; and bioinformatics and computational biology related to the other topic areas. The highest priority is for technologies that will support comprehensive analyses of entire genomes or their products in cells and tissues. The primary intent is to stimulate the development of new techniques for biomedical research that will allow scientists to achieve the biomedical breakthroughs of tomorrow. High risk applications are encouraged, and the innovative nature of the application will be part of the review criteria. For some high risk applications, it may be appropriate to use the R21 mechanism to generate preliminary data.

CFDA #s: 93.371, 93.286, 93.287.

Title: Novel Approaches to Enhance Animal Stem Cell Research

Program Number: 69163

Establish Date: 8/12/2002

Federal Contact: John D. Harding, Ph.D.
Division of Comparative Medicine
6705 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6050, MSC 7965
Bethesda,MD 20892-7965

Tel:301-435-0744

Fax:301-480-3819

Email: hardingj@ncrr.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-147.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003 and 2/1/2004

Deadline Note: This program expires on May 31, 2004 unless reissued.

PA-02-147
Objectives: Research to isolate, characterize and identify totipotent and multipotent stem cells from nonhuman biomedical research animal models, as well as to generate reagents and techniques to characterize and separate those stem cells from other cell types is encouraged. Innovative approaches to the problems of making multipotent stem cells available from a variety of nonhuman sources, and to creating reagents that will identify those stem cells across species and allow for separation of multipotent stem cells from differentiated cell types, will be stressed. This initiative will support the isolation and characterization of embryonic and other multipotent stem cells in a variety of nonhuman animal species. Examples of research areas appropriate to this announcement include, but are not limited to: projects to expand the number of nonhuman animal model systems in which embryonic stem cells are available; projects to identify, isolate, culture and characterize multipotent stem cell populations derived from nonhuman embryonic stem cells.; projects to identify, isolate, culture and characterize multipotent stem cells from post-fetal tissue types; projects to generate and use panels of markers for stem cell attributes common across species for use in characterization and isolation of stem cells in a range of animal species or tissues; and projects to create universal methods of culture to maintain the undifferentiated state of embryonic or other characterized, multipotential stem cells across nonhuman animal species. Projects supported by the NCRR are intended to generate research tools, reagents or multipotential stem cells of utility to research on a broad range of tissue or cell types and of interest to more than one categorical or disease-oriented Institute or Center of the National Institutes of Health. Projects that will focus on research on tissues or disease processes specific to the mission of an Institute or Center should be directed to the respective Institute or Center. The research should clearly expand the usefulness of nonhuman animal model systems by generating multipotential stem cells appropriate to those systems and tools that will allow for further research on those stem cells.

CFDA #s: 93.306, 93.396, 93.867, 93.839, 93.287, 93.864, 93.849, 93.242, 93.853, 93.866, 93.173, 93.279.

 

Title: NHLBI Innovative Research Grant Program

Program Number: 70903

Establish Date: 11/6/2002

Federal Contact: David A. Lathrop, Ph.D.
Division of Heart And Vascular Diseases
6701 Rockledge Drive, Room 9186 (MSC 7940)
Bethesda,MD 20892-7940

Tel:301-435-0504

Fax:301-480-1454

Email: LathropD@nhlbi.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-015.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004, 10/1/2004, 2/1/2005, 6/1/2005, 10/1/2005, 2/1/2006, 6/1/2006 and 10/1/2006

Deadline Note: This program expires on October 1, 2006, unless reissued.

PA-03-015
Objectives: Applications are expected to focus on new research that is innovative and potentially of high impact. Studies must include human subjects and make use of existing data sets or biological specimen collections. Awards made in this program may be used to support the addition and analyses of elements of existing data sets and specimen collections. The goal is to facilitate performance of short term projects that explore innovative approaches not readily supported by other funding mechanisms and that require the use of existing data sets or existing collections of biological specimens. The program is intended to encourage investigation of exciting new ideas by relaxing the stringent need for preliminary data and demonstration of concept feasibility. The program encourages both new and experienced investigators to explore new collaborations and approaches that address promising, yet underdeveloped, research topics and therapeutic approaches while employing existing data sets or existing biological specimen collections. The program focuses on support of research activities that are not easily, or currently, supported by other NIH funding mechanisms and that require use of existing data sets or existing biological specimen collections. Activities that promote the formation of new research collaborations and explore new approaches and test imaginative new ideas while providing preliminary data to demonstrate concept feasibility are especially encouraged. For the purposes of this Program Announcement, grant applications will be allowed in either of the two areas defined below as they relate to heart, lung, blood, and sleep research: studies to analyze existing data sets to explore new hypotheses; and studies employing existing biological specimens to test new hypotheses.

Eligibility: Establishment of new collaborations is strongly encouraged. Applications from new investigators are particularly encouraged. An applicant may not submit more than one application per receipt date, and a Principal Investigator cannot have more than one concurrent grant award under the aegis of this program.

CFDA #s: 93.837, 93.838, 93.839.

 

Title: NHLBI--Animal Models of Organ-Specific Tolerance for Heart and
Lung Transplantation

Program Number: 64690

Establish Date: 1/25/2002

Federal Contact: Judith Massicot-Fisher, PhD
Division of Heart and Vascular Disease
Rockledge II, Room 9184
Bethesda,MD 20892-7940

Tel: 301-435-0528

Fax: 302-480-1454

Email: Massicoj@nih.gov

Program URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-02-044.html

Deadline(s): 10/1/2003, 2/1/2004, 6/1/2004, 10/1/2004 and 2/1/2005

Deadline Note: The program will expire on March 1, 2005, unless reissued.

PA-02-044
Objectives: The long-range goal is to provide animal models that may be used for preclinical studies of immune tolerance induction, specifically in heart or lung studies, and improve the long-term quality of life and survival of recipients of heart and lung transplants. This program seeks to encourage multidisciplinary research that will focus on elucidating methods and mechanisms of antigen-specific tolerance induction and maintenance in clinically relevant animal transplant models. Both small and large animal models are appropriate for studies investigating tolerance in the lung. Heart studies should use only large animal models. Human studies are not appropriate.
Specific examples of areas of research interest may include, but are not restricted to, the following:
--definition and manipulation of specific immune pathways involved in the induction and maintenance of antigen-specific tolerance, including: co-stimulatory pathways, cytokine modulation, the role of adhesion molecules, and leukocyte migration.
--identification of allo-reactive lymphocytes subsets and their correlation with functions such as inflammation, homing and migration.
--determination and validation of biomarkers of antigen-specific immune tolerance.
--studies of the genetics of tolerance induction and long-term maintenance of tolerance.
--elucidation of the molecular, biochemical and cellular mechanisms involved in the loss of antigen-specific tolerance.
--use of very young animals to determine whether it is easier to induce tolerance in a young animal before the immune system is mature.

CFDA #s: 93.837, 93.838.

 

Title: NHLBI--Pathogenesis and Treatment of Lymphedema

Program Number: 59071

Establish Date: 12/18/2000

Federal Contact: Henry Chang, M.D.
Division of Blood Diseases and Resources
6701 Rockledge Drive
MSC 7950
Bethesda,MD 20892-7950

Tel: 301-435-0067

Fax: 301-480-1060

Email: changh@nih.gov

Program URL: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-01-035.html

Deadline: 10/1/2003

Deadline Note: Application receipt dates are February 1, June 1, and October 1. This program expires on December 31, 2003, unless reissued.

PA-01-035
Objectives: The purpose of this program announcement is to stimulate research on the biology of the lymphatic system, and to characterize at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and intact organism levels, the pathophysiologic mechanisms that cause the disease, and to discover new therapeutic interventions. The scope of this research includes developmental biology and genetics of the lymphatic system to identify and characterize genes important for its organization and regulation. Such knowledge will help to improve early diagnosis of affected individuals, the choice and timing of treatment, and genetic counseling. Research is also needed on the pathophysiology of the disorders of skin and subcutaneous tissue secondary to chronic lymphedema, and lymphedema which results from cancers and cancer treatment, with an ultimate goal to develop more targeted and effective therapies. The NHLBI, NICHD, NIAMS, and NCI are interested in approaches that will identify the developmental, molecular, and cellular defects that contribute to lymphedema as well as the development of effective therapeutic interventions to treat both primary and secondary lymphedemas.

CFDA #s: 93.837, 93.839, 93.865, 93.846, 93.396.

 

Title: NCRR High End Instrumentation Program

RFA Number: RR-03-009

Release Date: May 29, 2003

Federal Contact: Marjorie A. Tingle, PhD
Program Director
High End Instrumentation Grant Program
National Center for Research Resources
1 Democracy Building, Room 958
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874

Telephone: 301-435-0772

Fax: 301-480-3659

Email: HEI@mail.nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-03-009.html

Deadline: Letter of Intent Receipt Date – August 15, 2003

Application Receipt Date -- September 19, 2003

OBJECTIVES: With advances in technological development, biomedical scientists require ever more powerful tools for their research. As new instruments with enhanced performance become available, their importance for research increases along with the costs. Although the Shared Instrumentation Grant Program (SIG) provides a cost-effective mechanism for groups of NIH supported investigators to obtain commercially available equipment costing between $100,000 and $500,000, there is a continuing need for an NIH program that provides expensive, high-end instruments to the broad community of basic and clinical scientists. To meet the demands of the community,the NCRR initiated this HEI program in FY 2002 to support expensive, high-end instruments.

CFDA#: 93.389

 

Title: Tools for Collaborations that Involve Data Sharing

PA Number: PAR-03-134

Release Date: June 4, 2003

Federal Contact: Gregory Farber, PhD
Division of Biomedical Technology
National Center for Research Resources
6701 Democracy Boulevard, MSC 4874
Bethesda, MD 20892-4874

Telephone: 301-435-0778

Fax: 301-480-3659

Email: gf48a@nih.gov

URL: http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-03-134.html

Deadline: Letter of Intent Receipt Dates -- August 15, 2003 and June 15, 2004

Application Receipt Dates -- September 15, 2003 and July 15, 2004

Objectives:Great opportunities are possible as researchers combine rapidly improving information technology and the new availability of data with team and collaborative approaches that enable handling larger scale problems. Understanding these trends, the National Center for Research Resources convened a workshop in September 2002 (http://www.ncrr.nih.gov/biotech/collabmtg2002.asp). Members of that workshop were charged to review the state and future directions of collaboratories and associated technologies. They were asked to focus on opportunities created by the newly data rich environment of biomedical research.

Workshop participants concluded that collaboratories focused on data can enable cross-disciplinary work, allow scientific activities to scale to a natural level (not being limited by physical constraints), promote greater data integration and access, build stronger research communities, and broaden the engagement in science beyond the traditional community. Collectively, these advances will drive the digitally enabled translational medicine of the future. Furthermore, the tools and techniques that are developed may help in addressing some of the management issues common to many large NIH or NSF supported projects.

This PA invites proposals to develop collaborative tools and techniques that creatively manage and analyze large amounts of data that are generated during research and need to be shared among several (or many) groups. Until recently, data were generated in a single laboratory and served as the basis for publications in the peer-reviewed literature. While that pathway still exists, in the developing data rich environment a second pathway is emerging that is likely to become important. In this second pathway, the raw data generated by the initial laboratory are used by a second laboratory to make new discoveries that, in all likelihood, would not have otherwise been made.

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A program of the University of Pittsburgh and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center