PAR-99-059: COURSES IN GENOMIC ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION AND ELSI RELATED RESEARCH

Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS)

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COURSES IN GENOMIC ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION AND ELSI RELATED RESEARCH Release Date: January 29, 1999 PA NUMBER: PAR-99-059 P.T. National Human Genome Research Institute This Program Announcement replaces PA-91-88, which appeared in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Vol. 20, No. 34, part I of II, September 13, 1991. PURPOSE The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) invites applications for support of short, advanced-level courses in genomic analysis and interpretation and in ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) research. Of particular interest are courses that emphasize new laboratory techniques in genetic and physical mapping, technology and theory related to studying sequence variation, DNA sequencing technology applicable to large-scale projects, informatics as it relates to the Human Genome Project (HGP), new technologies for interpretation of the genome, interdisciplinary training in principles of genomic analysis for non-biologists, and principles and methods of studying the ethical, legal and social issues relevant to the Human Genome Program for biologists. These courses are meant to enhance the skills of U.S. scientists and scholars who are interested in pursuing laboratory research that utilizes the data and materials generated by the HGP or scholarly research relevant to the goals of the HGP. HEALTHY PEOPLE 2000 The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention objectives of "Healthy People 2000,"a PHS-led national activity for setting priority areas. This PA, Courses in Genomic Analysis and Interpretation and ELSI-Related Research, is related to the priority area of human resource development. Potential applicants may obtain a copy of "Healthy People 2000" at: http://www.crisny.org/health/us/health7.html. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS Applications may be submitted by domestic public and private organizations, such as universities, colleges and research institutions. Foreign institutions are not eligible for support under this mechanism. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. MECHANISM OF SUPPORT Support for this program will be through the Continuing Education Training Grant mechanism (T15). Allowable costs include personnel, supplies, travel and per diem for faculty and other costs, such as printing, telephone, audio- visual, postage, recruitment materials, and funds for a limited number of scholarships. The indirect cost rate for T15 awards will be 8 percent, excluding equipment, tuition and fees. Although it is envisioned that applicant institutions will have the necessary equipment to support course offerings, the NHGRI will consider, on a limited basis, requests for equipment, if properly justified. Justification for equipment that is to be purchased rather than rented must be provided. It is also expected that the courses will be partially supported through registration fees paid for by participants. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES Background The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is currently engaged, along with several other federal, private, and international organizations, in a research program to characterize the human genome and the genomes of selected model organisms. This program, the Human Genome Project (HGP), has the following interrelated goals: the development of detailed maps and the determination of the complete nucleotide sequence of the human genome and the genomes of selected organisms, the development of efficient methods for identifying genes and their function, the development of the capability to collect, store, distribute and analyze the data and materials produced, the development of new technologies to achieve these goals, the examination of the ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genome research, and the development of training and career development programs to ensure that there will be adequately trained scientists to develop and utilize the products emanating from the HGP. The products of the HGP will be information and material resources, as well as new technologies, that will be available to the entire research community to facilitate further research leading to the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of disease, as well as to further understanding of human biology. Scholarly research will be the foundation for understanding the ELSI issues generated by genomics and genetics research. In 1990, the NIH and the Department of Energy (DOE) jointly published a plan that sets out specific goals to be achieved in the first five-year phase of the U.S. Human Genome Project. Anticipating the attainment of much of the initial set of goals, the NIH and DOE extended the original goals of the Human Genome Project. These goals are described in the article, New Five-Year Plan for the U.S. Human Genome Project, (Science, Vol. 262, pp. 43-46, October 1, 1993) and cover the years 1994-1998. In the Fall of 1998, the NIH and DOE published a new five year plan (Science, Vol. 282, p682, October 23, 1998, http://www.nhgri.nih.gov/98plan/). The development of technology for mapping and sequencing will continue to be areas of emphasis. New technological areas of interest will include the interpretation of genomic sequence, the study of sequence variation and the analysis of gene expression. For the Human Genome Project and the fields of genomics and ELSI research to develop effectively, it is desirable to disseminate technological advances and new information as rapidly as possible to scientists who would like to utilize the data and resources emanating from the Human Genome Project in their research. The development of many fields, such as molecular biology and genetics, has been facilitated by the availability of short, intensive, advanced-level courses. Properly designed courses in areas of relevance to genomic analysis and the related ELSI issues will be of similar utility to the development of the HGP itself and to the application of the information produced by the project. Scientific Objectives The goal of this Program Announcement is to stimulate the development of courses in subjects relevant to the Human Genome Project and appropriate to the broader scientific and scholarly community. The goal of each course should be to strengthen the capacity of U.S. scientists and scholars to use the resources generated by the Human Genome Project in their research. The courses should provide participants with up-to-date knowledge of the latest technological advances and information so that they can participate more effectively in the Human Genome Project or utilize the information and technology produced by the Human Genome Project in other areas of research. Although the NHGRI has already awarded grants for a number of courses, we are still interested in receiving applications for courses in all areas of genomic analysis and ELSI research. The following is a list of potential subjects for such courses and is not intended to be limiting, but to provide examples. o Laboratory techniques applicable to mapping studies, emphasizing the development and utilization of resources for genomic analysis. Examples include: new marker development techniques, particularly those that are amenable to automation, association studies and linkage analyses. Courses of this type should be addressed to practicing biologists who wish to learn new methodologies. o Laboratory methods using genomic technology for identifying expressed regions of the genome and assaying their products. Examples include: efficient methods of making cDNA libraries, new approaches to studying gene expression such as use of microarrays, and computational tools for identification of genes from genomic sequences. Courses of this type should be addressed to practicing biologists who wish to utilize a variety of technologies in order to understand how genes function. o Large-scale DNA sequencing, emphasizing analysis and discussion of problems to be solved, particular strategies, and the most up-to-date technology applicable to large-scale DNA sequencing. Large-scale sequencing courses should include: library resources, template preparation, sequencing, collection, assembly and preliminary analysis of sequence data, automation of these steps, and operations at large scale. These courses should be at an advanced level and designed for scientists who already have experience in some aspect of DNA sequencing. o Courses that introduce the principles of genome analysis to non-biological scientists such as mathematicians, statisticians, physicists, chemists, engineers, and computer and information scientists in order to stimulate the application of state-of-the-art methodologies, technologies and concepts to the development of high-throughput analytical strategies and devices, and to data management and analysis problems. These courses should describe current experimental, analytical, and data management methodology as an introduction to a review of current problems and future needs. These courses are designed to stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations between non-biology basic scientists, engineers, mathematical or computer scientists with the more traditional biologically-trained genome researchers. o Various aspects of informatics relevant to large-scale mapping and sequencing projects. Examples include: database design, data analysis for map and/or sequence assembly, data mining and data management. o Concepts and techniques relevant to the analysis of the ethical, legal and social implications of human genome research and their application to genomic data. Examples include courses designed to introduce scholars trained in the humanities, social sciences and the law to the science underlying genomic research or to introduce biologists and health professionals to legal, philosophical and social scientific approaches. Courses in the principles and methods of particular disciplines, such as insurance economics, patent law, etc., which are relevant to specific uses of new genetic knowledge are also encouraged. Faculty should consist of established investigators or scholars actively working in the area of instruction. Plans for the inclusion of individuals who are currently underrepresented in the field of genomic research, such as women, minorities and persons with disabilities should be addressed. Courses may range from a few days to a few weeks and may be offered annually, although other terms will be acceptable. Applicants may initially request support for two years. Course offerors are expected to be academic or research institutions experienced in training, however applications from for- profit institutions will also be considered. APPLICATION PROCEDURES Applications are to be submitted on the research grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) and will be accepted at the standard application deadlines as indicated in the application kit. Application kits are available at most institutional offices of sponsored research, from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone (301) 435-0714, email: [email protected], from the NIH web page: http://www.nih.gov/grants/forms.htm, and from the program director listed under INQUIRIES. The title and number of this program announcement must be typed in Section 2 on the face page of the application. The completed original application and three legible copies must be sent or delivered to: CENTER FOR SCIENTIFIC REVIEW NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH 6701 ROCKLEDGE DRIVE, ROOM 1040 - MSC 7710 BETHESDA, MD 20892-7710 BETHESDA, MD 20817 (for express/courier service) At the time of submission, two additional copies of the application must be sent to: Office of Scientific Review National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 609 Bethesda, MD 20892-6050 Review Criteria Applications will be reviewed for scientific and technical merit by the Genome Research Review Committee. As part of the initial merit review, all applications will receive a written critique and undergo a process in which only those applications deemed to have the highest scientific merit, generally the top half of applications under review, will be discussed and assigned a priority score. Following scientific and technical review, the applications will receive a second-level review by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research. Applications will be evaluated using the following review criteria: o Overall scientific and didactic merit, o Need for the course and effectiveness in disseminating information and new technological approaches/developments applicable to furthering the goals of the Human Genome Project, o Quality of the course content and adequacy of the syllabus, o Training, experience, and research competence of the faculty, o Criteria for selecting participants and those who may receive scholarships, o Plans for recruiting potential participants and for publicizing the availability of courses to the appropriate community of scholars and scientists, Special attention will be given to plans for the recruitment of women, minorities and individuals with disabilities, o Adequacy and availability of the institution"s facilities, including the library, and o Appropriateness of the requested budget for the proposed course. Subsequent to GRRC review, the applications will be considered by the National Advisory Council for Human Genome Research. Award Criteria Applications will compete for available funds with all other approved applications. The following will be considered in making funding decisions: o quality of the proposed project as determined by peer review, o extent to which the proposed course(s) will provide opportunities for scientists to learn how to use the latest tools and information produced by the Human Genome Project to facilitate their research, and availability of funds, INQUIRIES Inquiries are encouraged, particularly during the planning phase of the grant applications. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: Bettie J. Graham, Ph.D. Division of Extramural Research National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 614 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 496-7531 Email: [email protected] Direct inquiries regarding fiscal matters to: Ms. Jean Cahill Division of Extramural Research National Human Genome Research Institute Building 38A, Room 613 Bethesda, MD 20892 Telephone: (301) 402-0733 Email: [email protected] AUTHORITY AND REGULATIONS This program is described in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 93.172. Awards will be made under the authority of the Public Health Service Act, Sections 301 (Public Law 78-410, as amended 42 U.S.C. 241) and administered under PHS grants policies and Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 45 CFR Part 74. This program is not subject to the intergovernmental review requirement of Executive Order 12372 or to Health Systems Agency review. The PHS strongly encourages all grant recipients to provide a smoke-free workplace and promote the non-use of all tobacco products. In addition, Public Law 103-227, the Pro-Children Act of 1994, prohibits smoking in certain facilities (or in some cases, any portion of a facility) in which regular or routine education, library, day care, health care or early childhood development services are provided to children. This is consistent with the PHS mission to protect and advance the physical and mental health of the American People.

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