Notice Number: NOT-CA-05-011

Key Dates
Release Date: January 28, 2005

Purpose
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has established the Nanotechnology Characterization Laboratory (NCL) (http://ncl.cancer.gov) at its NCI-Frederick facility to provide critical infrastructure support to NCI's Alliance in Nanotechnology for Cancer (http://nano.cancer.gov). Working in concert with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the intent of the NCL is to accelerate the transition of basic nano-biotechnology research into clinical applications.

The NCL performs pre-clinical efficacy and toxicity testing of nanoparticles and other nanoconstructs and facilitates regulatory review of nanotechnology intended for cancer therapies and diagnostics. As part of its assay cascade, the NCL will characterize nanoparticles' physical attributes, their in vitro biological properties, and their in vivo compatibility using animal models. The time required to characterize nanomaterial from receipt through the in vivo phase is anticipated to be 18 months. NCL data will be provided to the originating investigator for support of an investigator-held IND application and subsequent clinical trials.

The NCL is actively soliciting existing nanotechnology strategies for characterization. Desired constructs include, but are not limited to, nano-scaled particles and devices that incorporate image contrast agents, cancer therapeutics, and/or targeting receptors or ligands. Researchers from academia, industry and government are eligible to submit proposals to the NCL. A panel consisting of scientists from NCL, NCI, the pharmaceutical industry, NIST, FDA, and the nanotechnology industry will review and evaluate the proposals. Selected nanoconstructs will be characterized by the NCL at no cost to the submitting investigator. Initial applications are accepted quarterly, with due dates on the first business day of March, June, September, and December, and should be emailed to NCLwp@ncifcrf.gov.

Detailed information on the NCL services and instructions for preparing proposals to submit nanomaterials may be found at http://ncl.cancer.gov.

Weekly TOC for this Announcement
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices

	Office of Extramural Research (OER)			National Institutes of Health (NIH) 9000 Rockville Pike Bethesda, Maryland 20892			Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
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