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Request For Proposal NO.: NIMH-01-DN-0018
TITLE: "Mouse Neuroscience Phenotyping and Distributing Center”
OMB No.: 0990-0115
I. Background
With the elucidation of the complete draft sequence of the human
and other mammalian genomes, the next challenge is to conduct large-scale
functional analyses of these genomes to greatly enhance our understanding
of neurobiology. The laboratory mouse plays a pivotal role in human
functional genomics, insofar as mouse strains carrying mutations
have provided useful models for human diseases. RFA MH-99-007, “Mouse
Mutagenesis and Phenotyping: Nervous System and Behavior” was issued
in 1999 to establish neuroscience-focused facilities for large-scale,
efficient, whole-genome mutagenesis, in order to promote the systematic
and comprehensive functional analysis of neurobiological and behavioral
phenotypes in the mouse. Cooperative agreements for three large-scale
mutagenesis and phenotyping facilities that focus on abnormalities
in nervous system function and behavior (MH61915: PI, Joseph Takahashi
at Northwestern University; U01 MH61971: PI, Daniel Goldowitz at
University of Tennessee, Memphis; U01 NS41215: PI, Wayne Frankel
at Jackson Laboratory) were funded under the RFA, by NIMH and six
other NIH institutes (NINDS, NIDCD, NEI, NIA, NIAAA, NIDA). A major
goal of this initiative is to provide the scientific community with
new research resources, i.e., mutant animals, in a timely fashion.
The expected production of mutants generated by the three neuroscience-focused
mutagenesis facilities exceeds the capacity of existing mouse storage
and distribution facilities. In order to realize the full potential
for the scientific community of mutants produced in the three mutagenesis
facilities, NIMH shall establish a large-scale phenotyping and distribution
‘virtual’ center. This virtual center shall be comprised of a network
of investigators with expertise in different phenotypic domains,
database/bioinformatics experts who can construct a state-of-the-art
database in response to the needs of the neuroscience and behavioral
communities, and adequate capacity to maintain and distribute mutant
strains. The specific functions to be performed by this virtual
center include: (1) confirmatory phenotyping of various nervous
system functions and complex behaviors in mutant mice received from
the three mutagenesis facilities; (2) maintenance of mutant strains
as live animals, and cryopreserved materials (embryos or ovaries
and sperm); (3) wide distribution to the scientific community of
mutant strains in a very timely fashion; and (4) development and
curation of a public database of neuroscience-relevant phenotypic
information from mutant strains.
II. Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of this contract is to provide a mechanism by which
mutant mouse strains produced under the three mutagenesis facilities,
and the phenotypic information to characterize them, are widely
distributed to the scientific community. The contract shall also
support the development and curation of one database of neuroscience-relevant
phenotypic information that characterizes these mutant strains.
NOTE TO OFFERORS - THE NIMH RECOGNIZES THAT IT MAY BE NECESSARY
FOR TWO OR MORE ORGANIZATIONS TO TEAM TOGETHER IN ORDER TO SUBMIT
A PROPOSAL THAT WILL MEET ALL OF NIMH’S OBJECTIVES UNDER THIS REQUIREMENT.
The complete solicitation can be found at this web address: http://www.nimh.nih.gov/grants/rfpmouse0018.pdf.
For additional information about this RFP, please contact:
Robert D. Barnie
Contracting Officer
National Institute of Mental Health
Contracts Management Branch
6001 Exec. Blvd., Rm. 6107, MSC 9603
Bethesda, MD 20892-8030
Voice: 301-443-4116
Fax: 301-443-0501
Email: rb245s@nih.gov
Collect calls will not be accepted
DATE ISSUED: June 19, 2001
DATE DUE: November 9, 2001, 3:30 pm Eastern Time
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