Funding Opportunity for Identification of Genetic and Genomic Variants by Next-Gen Sequencing in Non-human Animal Models (U01)

Greetings NIF/SciCrunch Community!

Check out this funding opportunity from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH.

“Identification of Genetic and Genomic Variants by Next-Gen Sequencing in Non-human Animal Models (U01) - See more at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-120.html#sthash.5RXMqC9J.dpuf ?

The next deadline is March 1, 2016

Research Scope and Objectives
This announcement encourages applications for projects aimed at the discovery of gene variants in outbred or selectively bred non-human animals through the use of Next-Gen Sequencing technologies. The proposed projects should be based on data demonstrating the relevance of the traits to drug abuse behaviors and processes of addiction. Investigators may employ previously selectively bred animals, re-derived strains, strains selected for some specific new phenotypes, beginning with a novel progenitor population, or an outbred population. Vulnerability phenotypes, for purposes of this FOA, are defined as individual differences that convey increased propensity to acquire, maintain or escalate to uncontrollable, compulsive drug intake, or increased vulnerability to relapse to drug seeking and drug-taking following a period of abstinence. Vulnerability phenotypes may be defined behaviorally or neurobiologically, must have demonstrated heritability, and be suitable for mapping in outbred or selectively bred strains. The following are examples of vulnerability phenotypes that have been characterized behaviorally which would be appropriate for study; however, this is not an inclusive listing and there may be others:

· High drug sensitivity, reactivity or preference

· Preference or sensitivity for non-drug rewards

· Somatic and affective drug withdrawal

· Novelty preference or novelty seeking

· Increased incentive motivation for reward-related stimuli

· Sensitivity to develop escalation of drug taking

· Impulsivity

· Poor cognitive flexibility (e.g., reversal learning, set shifting, etc.)

· Resistance to punishment during drug-seeking

· Persistent responding in the absence of drug

· Heightened relapse and reinstatement

· Enhanced stress reactivity

· Disrupted circadian rhythms

Vulnerability phenotypes that have been identified by individual differences in neurobiological substrate or mechanisms (structural, functional, chemical) that can be genetically mapped are also appropriate.

Mapping of genetic modifiers of vulnerability phenotypes in knockout or knock-in animals, i.e. identification of gene variants that modify a drug abuse associated phenotype when a knockout or knock-in animal or defined mutation is bred into a different genetic background, is also responsive to this FOA.

If you are interested in submitting an application for the March 1, 2016 deadline.”

Click below to apply!

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-15-120.html#sthash.5RXMqC9J.dpuf ?

Sincerely,

The SciCrunch/NIF Team