JP2@CU.NIH.GOV (01/10/90)
Following is the Human Genome Program Announcement for training- both
training grants (T32), individual fellowships (F32)and senior fellowships (F33).
If you are interested in training grants you should contact Dr. Mark Guyer
at (301) 496-7531 or gy4@nihcu.bitnet and for individual fellowships
Dr. Bettie Graham at (301)496-7531 or b2g@nihcu.bitnet.
** ONGOING PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS **
NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS IN GENOMIC ANALYSIS
P.T. 22, 44; K.W. 0720005, 1215018
Office of Human Genome Research
Application Receipt Dates: January 10, May 10, September 10
The Office of Human Genome Research (OHGR) announces a new set of research
training programs that are intended to foster the development of highly
qualified scientists who are: (1) able to integrate mathematical, physical,
chemical, engineering, and/or computer-based methods with those of molecular
biology and genetics; and (2) able to use those interdisciplinary skills to
develop research programs in the mapping and determination of the DNA sequence
of the human genome and the genomes of other organisms, as well as in the
analysis and application of the resulting data. This research training will
be supported through predoctoral institutional training grants (T32),
individual postdoctoral fellowships (F32), and senior fellowships (F33).
BACKGROUND
The National Institutes of Health is currently engaged, along with several
other federal, private, and international organizations, in a research program
designed to characterize the human genome and the genomes of selected model
organisms. This endeavor, known as the Human Genome Initiative, has several
interrelated goals: the construction of a high resolution genetic linkage map
of the human; the development of physical maps of the human genome and the
genomes of selected model organisms; the determination of the complete
nucleotide sequence of human DNA and the DNA of several model organisms; the
development of the ability to collect, store, distribute, and analyze the data
that accrues from these activities; and the development of appropriate new
technologies to achieve these goals.
The aim of the genome program is to produce a set of research resources,
including information, materials, methodologies and instruments. It is
expected that these resources will significantly improve the ability of
scientists to study basic biological phenomena, to determine the genetic
aspects of human disease, and to develop methods of diagnosing and treating
such disease.
To achieve the goals of the genome program, there are many biological and
technological research problems that need to be solved. Attaining the
solutions to these problems will require that the research methods of the
biological sciences be augmented and complemented by the approaches and
methods of sciences such as physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry,
and engineering. However, it is widely perceived that there is a critical
shortage of scientists with the appropriate skills to bring such
multidisciplinary approaches to the necessary research. The intent of the new
research training program in genomic analysis is to develop and support
institutional programs that provide research training which emphasizes the
importance of joint application of one or more of these other sciences with
biological approaches, in investigation of those areas of biomedical research
relevant to the broad field of genomic analysis.
INSTITUTIONAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS - PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH TRAINING
The goal of PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH TRAINING in genome research is to develop
scientists with the skills to carry out independent research programs that:
(1) address the basic and applied issues which will arise in the process of
attaining the goals of the Human Genome Initiative, and (2) seek to use the
information developed as a result of the Human Genome Program to solve
important biomedical research problems. Genome training grants should be
designed to provide an interdisciplinary training program, in which students
are prepared with a deep understanding of how the methods and principles of
one or more nonbiological sciences can interact with those of biology to allow
investigation of research problems related to genomic analysis. Such programs
should be capable of attracting students with different backgrounds and should
Vol. 18, No. 25, July 21, 1989 - Page 5
have sufficient flexibility to provide the appropriate training to individual
candidates. For example, for individuals whose undergraduate background was
not in the biological sciences, genome-related training should include special
course-work to provide a working background in biological sciences prior to
beginning laboratory research. Conversely, by including faculty who provide
strength in fields such as chemistry, computer science, etc., individuals who
enter with a background in the biological sciences should be provided with
opportunities for training in the broader areas that will allow them to become
scientists able to address the needs of genome research.
Although the immediate objectives of the genome training program are framed in
terms of addressing the goals of the Human Genome Initiative, such training
should also have broader goals. The most successful programs will be those
that train skilled scientists able to develop independent research programs
that will not only be useful in attaining the goals of the Human Genome
Initiative, but will then be able to utilize the resources developed through
that program to address important biological research questions. Thus, it is
essential that the students who are supported under this program receive
thorough training in modern biomedical research. The interdisciplinary
training envisioned in the predoctoral component of this initiative must
follow fundamentally sound undergraduate preparation in biology, computer
science, applied mathematics, chemistry, physics, or engineering. In other
words, the new training program in genome research is designed to allow
trainees access to broad research opportunities across disciplinary and
departmental lines, while not sacrificing the standards of depth and
creativity characteristic of the best Ph.D. and postdoctoral programs of
individual departments. One way to achieve the desired breadth would be
cooperative involvement of faculty members from several departments as
research mentors.
The stipend level for PREDOCTORAL trainees is $8,500 per annum. In addition,
the applicant institution may request up to $1,500 per year for each
predoctoral trainee to use for essential direct support costs to the training
program. Tuition support for each trainee may be requested in accordance with
amounts charged to other graduate students. Indirect costs will be paid at 8
percent of total allowable direct costs, or actual costs, whichever is less.
Institutional training grants are made for project periods of up to 5 years
and are renewable. However, no single predoctoral trainee may receive more
than 5 years of support unless a specific waiver is obtained.
Applications will be evaluated for merit by a special study section
constituted by the OHGR for the purpose of reviewing training grant
applications. The following criteria will be considered: the proposed
research training objectives and program design; the qualifications and
commitment of participating faculty, including previous training record that
includes those from minority groups underrepresented in the
biomedical/behavioral sciences; the ability to attract high caliber trainees;
the availability of research support; the extent of the institutional
commitment; and the available facilities. Following assessment of the quality
of the proposed training and assignment of priority scores indicative of the
merit, the initial review group will comment on each applicant's plans for
attracting individuals from underrepresented minority groups and in training
them for research careers.
Site visits may be conducted as part of the review process. However,
applicants should present a complete and well-justified written proposal and
not depend on site visits to amplify their applications.
Subsequent to OHGR study section review, applications will be reviewed by a
National Advisory Council. Among the information the Council will consider is
the initial review group's comments on the recruitment of individuals from
underrepresented minority groups into the training program.
INDIVIDUAL NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS in genome research are intended to provide
interdisciplinary training at the post-graduate level. Individuals trained in
mathematics, computer science, chemistry, physics, or engineering, who desire
to augment their skills in those fields with training in biological science
with the goal of pursuing genome research would be appropriate candidates for
such support. Conversely, biologists who wish to acquire research training in
biocomputation, instrumentation, biophysics or other areas related to genome
research would also be appropriate candidates for individual postdoctoral
fellowships in genome analysis.
The stipend level for the individual postdoctoral fellowships ranges from
$17,000 to $31,500, depending on the number of years of relevant experience
Vol. 18, No. 25, July 21, 1989 - Page 6
subsequent to the award of the doctoral degree. In addition, the training
institution may request an institutional allowance of up to $3,000 per year
for supplies, equipment, travel, tuition, fees, insurance, and other
training-related expenses. Individual postdoctoral fellowships are made for
project periods of up to 3 years.
SENIOR FELLOWSHIPS are be available for experienced investigators in the
biological, computer, mathematical, physical, engineering, or chemical
sciences who wish to acquire experience/training in new areas. It is expected
that senior fellows will subsequently use this training to develop and broaden
their research programs to include projects related to genome analysis. This
program is envisioned as one way in which to allow a scientist from outside
biology to acquire the biological expertise necessary to allow him or her to
become involved in, and contribute to, the genome project. This mechanism can
also be used by a biologist to acquire experience in some non-biological field
that will broaden the scope of her or his research program.
The stipend level currently is $30,000 per annum for project periods of up to
two years. The institution at which the training will take place may request
an institutional allowance up to $3,000 per year for support of supplies,
equipment, travel, tuition, fees, insurance, and other training-related costs.
Additional details about the policies, payback provisions and review
procedures governing the institutional predoctoral training grant, the
postdoctoral fellowship, the senior fellowship and can be found in the
National Research Service Awards Guidelines, published in the NIH Guide for
Grants and Contract, Vol. 13, No.1, January 6, 1984.
Application material is available from the university business office or from
the Office of Grants Inquiries, Division of Research Grants, National
Institutes of Health, Westwood Building, Room 449, Bethesda, Maryland 20892.
Receipt dates for applications for all awards described in this announcement
are January 10, May 10, and September 10, annually.
PUBLIC BRIEFING ON THE NATIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE AWARDS IN GENOMIC ANALYSIS
Applicants are encouraged to discuss the proposed applications with the OHGR
staff prior to submission. In addition, the Office of Human Genome Research
will host a meeting with prospective training grant applicants on September
25, 1989, in Wilson Hall, Building, 1, on the NIH campus from 10:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m. For further information, please contact:
Dr. Mark Guyer
Office of Human Genome Research
Shannon Building, Room 203
National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Telephone: (301) 496-0844
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------GY4@CU.NIH.GOV (01/13/90)
Dr. Shirrif, Whose genome will be sequenced? is a question commonly asked about the Human Genome Initiative. The answer is: No one's. The first complete human genome sequence will be a composite of sequences from many sources, most of these being cell lines that will be created during the project or have existed in laboratories all over the world for some time. The sequence will thus be a generic sequence and not that of any individual. It has been suggested that, due to the great amount of sequence variation between individuals, a single sequence would not be representative of humans in general. While it is true that much valuable insight will come from comparing many different human sequences, in fact the critical regions of human DNA are known to be highly conserved between individuals, as they are between different species, and a single complete reference sequence will provide a standard against which others can be compared. DNA regions of particular interest, such as genes involved in genetic disease, will be sequenced from many individuals in the course of research on those diseases (supported by many sources other than the Human Genome Program). Mark Guyer Assistant Director for Program Coordination National Center for Human Genome Research Date: Thu, 11 Jan 90 14:00:00 PST From: shirriff@sprite.Berkeley.EDU (Ken Shirriff) Message-Id: <9001112200.AA787994@sprite.Berkeley.EDU> To: JP2@CU.NIH.GOV Subject: Re: Human Genome Program Announcement for training Newsgroups: bionet.molbio.genome-program In-Reply-To: <9001101530.AA01092@alw.nih.gov> Organization: University of California, Berkeley Cc: I have a question about the Human Genome Program. Presumably all researchers will be mapping the same human genome. So who will be the person whose genome gets mapped? Ken Shirriff shirriff@sprite.Berkeley.EDU