Studies of Antimicrobial and Prebiotic Activity of Oligosaccharides (R01)

The summary for the Studies of Antimicrobial and Prebiotic Activity of Oligosaccharides (R01) grant is detailed below. This summary states who is eligible for the grant, how much grant money will be awarded, current and past deadlines, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) numbers, and a sampling of similar government grants. Verify the accuracy of the data FederalGrants.com provides by visiting the webpage noted in the Link to Full Announcement section or by contacting the appropriate person listed as the Grant Announcement Contact. If any section is incomplete, please visit the website for the National Institutes of Health, which is the U.S. government agency offering this grant.

Studies of Antimicrobial and Prebiotic Activity of Oligosaccharides (R01): Purpose. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, solicits Research Project Grant (R01) applications from institutions/organizations that propose to elucidate the antimicrobial and prebiotic activities of oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates. The goal of this FOA is to stimulate research on how oligosaccharides prevent enteric infections and to develop a new class of antimicrobial therapy to prevent or treat enteric bacterial or viral infections. A key step in reaching this goal is to develop biosynthetic means of producing large enough quantities of oligosaccharides with antimicrobial properties for preclinical tolerance and safety studies and for safety and clinical testing in populations that are exposed to gastrointestinal pathogens. This FOA should also stimulate research on the expression of genes in the host that determine oligosaccharide assembly and linkage. This line of research should lead to a better understanding of the how oligosaccharide binding sites for specific enteric pathogens are synthesized, packaged, transported, and incorporated into the cell membrane of the enterocyte. By knowing more about oligosaccharide structures of pathogen binding sites on the surface of the enterocyte, it may be possible to predict which individuals are susceptible to specific bacterial and viral infections and to develop antimicrobial agents based on oligosaccharide structural mimicry of these pathogen binding sites. This FOA should also encourage research on oligosaccharides that stimulate the proliferation of beneficial intestinal bacteria and the production of short-chain fatty acids, thereby serving to reduce the incidence and severity of enteric infections. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of various oligosaccharides on the function of the intestinal immune system are also encouraged. Mechanism of Support. This FOA will utilize the NIH Research Project Grant (R01) award mechanism. Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards. $2,500,000 has been set aside in total direct costs to fund this initiative in FY 2009. It is anticipated that 5-8 awards will be made. Awards issued under this FOA are contingent upon the availability of funds and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious applications. 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. Eligible Institutions/Organizations. Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Small Business; Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity (Foreign Organization); Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Eligible agencies of the Federal government; Faith-based or community based organizations. Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators (PDs/PIs). Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution/organization to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Number of Applications. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each application is scientifically distinct. Renewals and Resubmissions. At this time, it is not known if competing renewal (formerly competing continuation ) applications will be accepted and/or if this FOA will be reissued. Applicants may submit a resubmission application, but such application must include an Introduction addressing the previous peer review critique (Summary Statement). Number of PDs/PIs. More than one PD/PI, or multiple PDs/PIs, may be designated on the application.