Funding News - Applications Requested for Research on the Biology of RNA Interference

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) requests grant applications for research to improve uptake, stability, processing, and delivery of RNA interference specific to target tissues and specific cell types.  This announcement is made together with 6 other components of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).*

RNA interference (RNAi) is an effective post-transcriptional strategy for silencing genes.  The purpose of this initiative is to stimulate research to understand uptake and processing of RNAi by target tissues; to assess stability, half-life, and off-target effects in target tissues; and to determine optimal delivery methods for uptake by the target tissues.

Areas of research interest include, but are not limited to, studies to:  determine stability and half-life of RNAi and its potential toxicity in cells and tissues; elucidate delivery and uptake processes in target tissues and cells; develop chemical modifications that will allow or regulate distribution; determine off-target effects in target tissues and cells; develop chemical modifications that will minimize off-target effects; and identify chemical modifications that will enhance the pharmacokinetic properties of small interfering RNA (siRNA).

LETTERS OF INTENT RECEIPT DATE:  December 21, 2005.

APPLICATION RECEIPT DATE:  January 18, 2006.

For more information, potential applicants should contact  Dr. Danilo Tagle, Program Director, Neurogenetics Cluster, NINDS, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 2133, Bethesda, MD  20892; telephone:  301-496-5745; fax:  301-402-1501; e-mail:  dt39y@nih.gov.

*For a full list of supporting NIH components and a more detailed description of this RFA, please visit the NIH web site at:   http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HL-05-019.html.