Notice of Intent to Publish a Request for Applications: Limited Competition for Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC) (U01)

Notice Number: NOT-DK-12-002

Release Date: November 3, 2011

NOT-DK-12-003

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) intends to promote a new initiative by publishing a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applications for a Data Coordinating Center (DCC) for the NIDDK Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (IBDGC). During its first ten years of existence, the IBDGC has been a major contributor to the identification of more than 100 susceptibility genes for IBD. However, there still remain many susceptibility genes to be identified, and the mechanisms by which variants of even the identified genes influence disease risk have barely begun to be understood. During its next funding period, the IBDGC will identify additional susceptibility genes and explore the individual and combined effects of risk variants on patterns of gene expression, metabolite abundance, and measures of immune system activity, and integrate these observations with studies of the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota, in order to advance our understanding of the mechanisms by which genetic variants influence the onset and course of IBD. The IBDGC may also elect to study patterns of chromatin modification and protein expression. The DCC will manage the data and biological sample collections generated by the IBDGC, and coordinate analyses of these data, and all of the operations of the IBDGC, by administering its Steering, Data Analysis, and other Committees.

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Eligible applicants are those who received an award for an application for a DCC submitted in response to RFA-DK-06-504, Announcement of a Limited Competition for the Continuation of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium (U01).

The FOA is expected to be published in the Winter of 2011/12 with an expected receipt date in Spring, 2012.

This FOA will utilize the U01 activity code. Details of the planned Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) are provided below.

This Notice encourages investigators with expertise and insights in genetics of IBD to begin to consider applying for this new FOA.

In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, mucosal immunology, intestinal microbiology, and bioinformatics will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering collaborating on this application.

Among the areas of research encouraged in this initiative are clinical gastroenterology, genomics, mucosal immunology, and intestinal microbiology research examining the mechanisms that underlie inflammatory bowel disease.

APPLICATIONS ARE NOT BEING SOLICITED AT THIS TIME.

Please direct all inquiries to:

Robert W. Karp, Ph.D.
Program Director, Genetics and Genomics
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, and Kidney Diseases
6707 Democracy Boulevard, Rm. 671, MSC 5450
Bethesda, MD 20892-5450 (US postal service express or regular mail)
Bethesda, MD 20817 (for express/courier service, non USPS service)
Telephone (301) 451-8875; FAX, (301) 480-8300
[email protected]