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Grants REQUEST
FOR APPLICATIONS Dysautonomia
Foundation Inc. Familial
Dysautonomia (FD) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by
altered intrauterine development of the autonomic and sensory nervous
system. The disorder is progressive and neuronal survival also may be
compromised. Patients
with FD have trouble swallowing liquids, do not produce overflow tears,
and become hypotensive when they stand. They are relatively insensitive to
pain and experience dramatic fluctuations in blood pressure and body
temperature. They suffer episodic autonomic crises of vomiting, retching,
and extremely high blood pressure (J. Ped. 110:946-948, 1987). Mutations
in the IKAP gene were recently shown to cause FD. In over 95% of patients,
a single intronic base substitution that affects the splicing of the IKAP
transcript was identified (Am. J. Hum. Genet. 68:598-605 and 753-758,
2001). This splicing alteration may be tissue (i.e., neuron) specific. The
molecular/cellular mechanisms causing FD are not understood. The
Dysautonomia Foundation is accepting applications for research grants to
determine: 1.
The function of the IKAP protein, and identification of interactive
proteins, both upstream and downstream 2.
How the loss of IKAP function affects cellular function and
survival 3.
The control of tissue-specific splicing/expression and its
potential correction 4.
The role of IKAP in the development and maintenance of the
autonomic and sensory nervous system 5.
The effect of IKAP “knock-outs and/or knock-ins” in mouse
models 6.
Novel therapeutic strategies for FD Application
Procedure Grants
will be made by the Dysautonomia Foundation for a two-year period for up
to $100,000/year. Support of a postdoctoral fellow will also be
considered. Grants will be renewable depending on productivity. Funded
researchers will be expected to freely share reagents developed from these
research grants with other Dysautonomia Foundation-funded investigators
and to attend an annual meeting to present and discuss their results. Please
submit a five-page proposal (not including figures or references)
detailing the proposed project, along with the CVs of the Principal and
Co-Investigators to the: Dysautonomia
Foundation Inc. 633
Third Avenue, 12th Floot New
York, NY 10017-6706 Fax
(212) 682-7625 Email
dys212@aol.com The
application must be submitted by either post, fax or email on or before
October 31, 2001. The awards will be announced on December 15, 2001. For
additional information, please contact the Dysauytonomia Foundation at
(212) 949-6644, fax (212) 682-7625, or email
dys212@aol.com. |