Division of Basic and Translational Sciences
We are seeking Concept Clearance for a Request for Applications (RFA) for Specialized Centers that will stimulate contemporary research in the following four areas: Craniofacial Biology, Orofacial Pain, Oral Infectious Diseases (with the exclusion of HIV infections), and Salivary Gland Biology including Sjögren’s Syndrome, all of which are critical to the mission of the NIDCR. These Specialized Centers will replace the currently existing Comprehensive Oral Health Research Centers of Discovery (COHRCDs) supported by the NIDCR. These COHRCDs were established to encompass a full range of activities including basic, translational and applied research with behavioral, health services and clinical research components relating to a relevant theme selected by the Principal Investigator and her/his collaborators. Although the COHRCDs have been, and continue to be, effective; the required scope of activities has somewhat restricted the scientific depth into which many individual projects could delve.
With the completion of the Human Genome Project and the rapidly escalating development of new sensitive high-throughput technologies, it is an opportune time for the NIDCR to issue a RFA requesting that the efforts of research investigators be concentrated on basic research in the four areas specified above through a Specialized Centers program designed to make optimal use of recent scientific and technological advances. Each Specialized Center may focus on any aspect of the four areas noted such as exploration of the molecular basis of normal and aberrant craniofacial development and restoration/regeneration of the relevant structures; the molecular and genetic basis of cognitive neuroscience related to the origin and persistence of orofacial pain; the molecular basis of microbial and/or host involvement in the initiation, progression and intervention of infections affecting the oral cavity; and molecular and genetic aspects of salivary gland biology, pathology and restitution of function. Each Specialized Center must be comprised of at least three basic science projects that are tightly integrated as well as appropriate cores. Since it is becoming increasingly apparent that major strides are resulting from collaborations between individuals with expertise in different fields, multidisciplinary research within each Specialized Center is essential. Each project within each Specialized Center will be expected to utilize state of the art approaches including, but not limited to, genomics, proteomics, biomimetics, tissue engineering, or the utilization of stem cells.