Notice Number: NOT-GM-15-116

Key Dates
Release Date: June 12, 2015
Response Date: July 20, 2015

Issued by
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Purpose

This is a time-sensitive Request for Information (RFI) directed at obtaining input to assist the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) on the topic of research into the structure determination of membrane proteins and large macromolecular assemblies. NIGMS would like the input of the scientific community to assess the need for improved tools and development of emerging methods for membrane protein and large macromolecular assembly structure determination for more effective understanding of their structure and function.

Background

Membrane proteins and large macromolecular assemblies are important targets for understanding cell function and for drug discovery, but their characterization presents unique technical challenges. Please comment on the most effective methods for determination of membrane protein and large macromolecular assembly structures and/or the need for new tools to aid in structure determination of these proteins or protein complexes.

Information Requested

NIGMS invites input on topics related to the structure determination of membrane proteins and large molecular assemblies as described below. Of interest are ideas about novel approaches, possible collaborative efforts, and strategies to accelerate progress in this area that will be of scientific and public health impact.

Areas of possible comment include but are not limited to:

• Challenges and opportunities in the structure determination of membrane proteins and large multiprotein complexes.
• Comments on what can be accomplished by a single investigator and what can be accomplished by a multi-investigator program for research in this area.
• The need for development of new tools or technologies that would improve the quality or throughput of membrane protein structure determination.
• Further suggestions relating to this topic.

How to Submit a Response

Responses to the RFI will be accepted until July 20, 2015. Respondents will not receive individualized feedback. No basis for claims against the United States government shall arise as a result of a response to this request for information or from the Unites States government’s use of such information.

All comments must be submitted via email as text or as an attached electronic document. Microsoft Word documents are preferred. Please submit your response to: NIGMSMembraneProteinRFI.

Response to this RFI is voluntary. All interested parties are invited to respond. Any personal identifiers (e.g., names, addresses, email addresses) will be removed when responses are compiled. Only the de-identified comments will be used. Proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should not be included in your response. The United States government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).

This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the United States government to provide support for any ideas identified in response to it. Please note that the United States government will not pay for the preparation of any information submitted or for its use of that information. Responses will be compiled and shared internally with staff from the NIGMS and with scientific working groups convened by these bodies as appropriate. In all cases where responses are shared, the names of the respondents will be withheld.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Ward Smith, Ph.D.
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Telephone: 301-443-9375
Email: ward.smith@nih.gov