DIRECTOR, USAMRAA, MCMR-AAA, BLDG 820, FORT DETRICK, FREDERICK MD 21702-5014

A -- ARMY WILL SUPPORT NEUROFIBROMATOSIS RESEARCH PROGRAM SOL 074&&&-9609-0001 POC Craig D. Lebo, 301-619-2036 (Site Code DAMD17) Army Will Support Neurofibromatosis Research Program The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) will issue a Broad Agency Announcement in early September to solicit proposals for neurofibromatosis research. The 1996 Defense Appropriation Act provides $6.4 million for the Department of Defense Neurofibromatosis Research Program to fund research across a broad spectrum of disciplines for up to three years. The USAMRMC encourages participation by women and minority individuals and institutions. The overall goal of the program is to promote basic and clinical research directed toward the understanding and treatment of neurofibromatosis. The program will emphasize scientifically meritorious research which fosters new directions and addresses neglected issues. Specific emphasis areas within basic research include, but are not limited to: Studies on the normal function of neurofibromatosis NF-1 and NF-2 proteins; Studies investigating how abnormal function or lack of function in these proteins leads to pathogenesis; Delineation of genotype- phenotype correlations among the relevant neurofibromatosis genes. Specific emphasis areas within clinical research include, but are not limited to: Pre-clinical/clinical trials of treatments for complications of NF-1 and NF-2; Development of technologies that improve the ability to assess outcomes; Studies that improve the ability to diagnose neurofibromatosis and predict prognosis; Development of new modalities for non-invasive diagnosis. Additionally, provisions have been made to encourage new investigators to enter the field of neurofibromatosis research through post-doctoral and traineeships with outstanding researchers. The post-doctoral traineeship will be nested within the award to the principal investigator, and no awards will be made directly to the trainee. A two-tiered system will be used to evaluate the proposals consisting of scientific peer review and a programmatic review. While scientific merit is an important criterion for award, proposals that receive high scientific merit scores in peer review are judged to have low programmatic relevance are likely to be rejected for funding. Therefore, scientifically excellent studies that directly address the unique focus and goals of this program are most likely to receive funding support. To obtain a copy of the announcement, write to: Commander, USAMRMC, Attn: MRMC-PLF (BAA-NFRP), Fort Detrick, Frederick, MD 21702-5024, call (301) 682-5501, or fax (301) 682-5521. An electronic copy will be posted on or before 30 August 1996 on the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Home Page at: http//MRMC-www.army.mil. (0248)

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