Informing Systems Biology through Genetic Variation:The Genes, Environment and Health Initiative (R21)

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Purpose.The National Institute of Mental Health on behalf of the NIH Genes, Environment and Health Initiative encourages studies in systems biology that expand on findings from Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and other genetics/genomic approachesto identify and characterize the molecular elements of the larger dynamic networks and their perturbations underlying complex human disease.Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the role of transcripts of unknown function as regulatory elements in molecular networks for complex disorders; identification of likely molecular candidates and functional variants using systems biology approaches; bioinformatics studies to identify molecular elements and pathways relevant to complex diseases using results from GWAS studies; studies that elucidate the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the molecular pathophysiology of complex human diseases.Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) award mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. The NIH has committed $2 million total costs in FY 2009 to fund 4-8 applications in response to this FOA.

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