Director, USAMRAA, 820 Chandler St, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5014

A -- EPIDERMOLYSIS BULLOSA RESEARCH SOL CBD-EBR-0505 DUE 071400 POC Craig D. Lebo, Contracting Officer, 301-619-2036 The U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) has been designated to execute approximately $900K to support research to improve the survivability of soldiers in chemically-contaminated environments. A primary requirement exists to develop effective antidotes, pretreatments, therapeutic compounds and diagnostics against vesicant injury. While significant progress has been achieved in identifying many of the mechanisms resulting in injury to tissue exposed to vesicant agent, work remains in determining the complete picture. One area of current interest involves the study of a genetic condition known as epidermolysis bullosa, in which blistering, often severe, is a sign of this condition. Epidermolysis bullosa has been identified as a model for blistering caused by vesicant agent, and research efforts exploring the mechanism of blister formation have direct relevance in understanding the mechanism of vesicant injury more completely. The development of treatment strategies for epidermolysisbullosa could also have a significant impact on the treatment of vesicant casualties. Proposals must provide a clear justification and military relevance. Direct relevance of the proposed research to vesicant injury/treatment must be established. Collaborations with Department of Defense medical researchers are encouraged. Proposals should be submitted according to general instructions contained in the Broad Agency Announcement 99-1 (see http://www- usamraa.army.mil). Pre-proposals are not required. Full proposals are due no later than 4:00 p.m. EST, 14 July 2000. Clearly mark proposals "Epidermolysis Bullosa." Send proposals to: Commander, U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, ATTN: MCMR-AAA, 820 Chandler Street, Fort Detrick, MD 21702-5014. Posted 05/05/00 (W-SN452017). (0126)

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