Optimization of Small Molecule Probes for the Nervous System (R21)

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Purpose. This FOA issued by participating institutes of the National Institutes of Health, encourages research grant applications from institutions/ organizations that propose to develop new small molecule probes for investigating biological function in the nervous system via the application of advanced medicinal chemistry and the biological testing of compounds. Eligible investigators will have identified probe candidates via screening of small molecule collections, using in vitro assays of biological activity developed to interrogate these collections, and be able to show that the structural features of these small molecules are related to their biological activity. Proposals should nominate small molecule probe candidates from distinct structural series for the further, iterative design and testing of analogues in structure-activity relationship studies, using in vitro assays of biological function adapted to the medium throughput screening requirements of this work. These studies should have the goal of developing a small molecule probe possessing the attributes (eg: affinity, selectivity, activity) required for its use in future pharmacological studies proposed by the investigator. Applicants are strongly encouraged to utilize publicly available cheminformatic capabilities for the acquisition of compounds, and semi-custom synthesis of analogues. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will use the NIH Exploratory/Developmental (R21) grant mechanism. In the near future, NINDS expects to publish two additional FOAs of identical scientific scope that encourage applications under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) (R43) grant mechanism and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) (R41) grant mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary. The total amount awarded and the number of awards will depend upon the mechanism, numbers, quality, duration, and costs of the applications received.

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