National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

B -- IDENTIFY GENES INVOLVED IN MIGRATION OF CELLS DURING EMBRYOGENESIS SOL RFQ90094(NR) DUE 051099 POC Marsha Gorham (301)402-4509 & Todd Cole, Contracting Officer The National Cancer Institutes plans to procure services from Dr. Roberto Di Lauro, Stazione Zoologia Villa Commu, Naples, Italy to provide services to identify genes involved in migration of cells during embryogenesis. Dr. Roberto Di Lauro is an undisputed leader in the field of thyroid gene expression, particularly, in studies on the development of the thyroid. His accomplishments span a very large area, including: 1) studies on regulation of gene expression in the thyroid, 2) studies on thyroid development, and most recently, discovery of defects in transcription factors in two hereditary forms of thyroid disease. Dr. Di Lauro is also an expert in studies on thyroid development in differentiation. He has identified specific transcription factors which are required for thyroid development, including: TTF-1, TTF-2 and PAX-8. Dr. Di Lauro's recent work has centered around how mice targeted in the locus encoding the transcription factor TTF-2 show a defective migration of the thyroid anlage. NCI researchers require Dr. Di Lauro's expertise, assistance and model (for TTF-1, TTF-2 and PAX-8) to identify genes involved in the migration of cells during embryogenesis thrown isolating cells of the thyroid anlage from wild type and knock-out mice and constructing differential libraries. The isolation of cells will be attempted either by LCM, developed at the NIH, or by expressing the human Il-2 receptor antibody developed in the Laboratory of Molecular Biology of the NCI. Specific expression of the human Il-2 receptor shall be achieved by knock-in the locus encoding TTF-2. Heterozygous mice shall be used as a source of normal cells and hormozygous mice as a source of migration-defective cells. Dr. Dilauro's expertise, as described above, is required to assist in the isolation of these cells. Since Dr. Di Lauro has an established model with significant experience in encoding and gene identification, he is the only source known to NCI that can provide these services. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirements, it may submit a statement of capabilities. The capability statement and any other information must be in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can fully meet this requirement. Capability statements must be received in the contracting office by 11:00 p.m. EST, on May 10, 1999. If you have any questions, please contact Marsha Gorham, Purchasing Agent on (301)402-4509. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Posted 04/22/99 (W-SN323153). (0112)

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