Release Date: May 11, 2011
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), on behalf of the NIH Roadmap Molecular Libraries Program
The purpose of this Notice is to change the contact
information for a Fast Track Program by which applicants with Assay Projects
that were designed for use in High Throughput Screening (HTS) can submit a
request for access to the HTS and probe development resources of the Common
Fund Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN).
The Roadmap Assay Development for High Throughput Screening (HTS) Program has
served as a key incubator funding the development of assay projects for HTS
that advance to the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network
(MLPCN; http://mli.nih.gov/mli/). The assays are then screened by a
participating Network Center against the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule
Repository (MLSMR; http://mlsmr.glpg.com/MLSMR_HomePage/), and promising small
molecule hits developed further as molecular probes. Projects funded in
the Assay Development for HTS Program are eligible for rapid entry into the
MLPCN when completed, via a Fast Track request for screening requiring a
technical review of projects by the Roadmap Molecular Libraries Project
Team. This technical review emphasizes project readiness and the need for
probes to the proposed target. Requests for MLPCN entry and screening are
reviewed by the Project Team on a monthly basis, and upon approval are
immediately assigned to a Network Screening Center for implementation.
The NIH has extended this Fast Track pathway to MLPCN entry to NIH
Investigator-initiated and Institute-sponsored projects and activities that
support the development of assay projects for HTS. To be eligible, a
project should meet the goals of the Assay Development for HTS Program, and
have embedded in its scientifically reviewed and funded research proposal the
development of assays (primary, secondary and counter-screening) for use in a
HTS and probe development project. The HTS project plan employing these
assays should be directed at the development of a unique molecular probe that
can be used to explore biochemical, cellular and physiological function.
Potential applicants should reference the project development guidelines
described in the announcement: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-182.html.
This announcement describes the specific requirements for development
of assay projects for HTS that determine eligibility for Fast Track entry
into the MLPCN. Investigators are asked to provide assay characterization
data, and to address the following technical feasibility questions: 1) Are the
proposed screening assays feasible in HTS format? 2) Is the screening plan
complete? 3) Are key reagents required for execution of the HTS project
available? 4) What is the current availability of pharmacological probes to the
proposed target, mechanism or phenotype? 5) Are pilot screening data available?
Collaboration activities between the Investigator and assigned Screening Center
will be agreed upon following acceptance of the HTS project, and may include
travel to the screening center, hit follow-up in the Investigators laboratory
using secondary and counter-screening assays developed by the Investigator as
part of the screening project, and the further preparation of reagents needed
for the HTS and requiring special expertise of the PI in production.
It is important to note that Fast Track applications constitute a request for
access to HTS resources of the MLPCN, and are not a request for direct funding.
Please refer to NOT-RM-09-020 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-RM-09-020.html) for the Data Release Policy for the Molecular Libraries Program.
For further information regarding eligibility for the Fast
Track Program, and information on preparing requests for MLPCN entry, please
contact:
Yong Yao, Ph.D.
NIH Common Fund Molecular Libraries Program
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7175, MSC 9641
Bethesda, MD 20892-964
Telephone: (301) 443-6102
Email: [email protected]
and Human Services (HHS)
