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Request for Proposals
The Biomolecular Interaction Technologies Center (BITC) is soliciting research proposals for funding. BITC is a National Science Foundation Industry/University Cooperative Research Center established to carry out research in coordination with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. The NSF IUCRC program provides support for BITC administrative expenses. The BITC grants program is funded by industrial membership fees. For information about BITC, its member companies, and a list of funded projects, go to the Web site: www.bitc.unh.edu.
Research proposals should deal with methods based preferably on first principles that can be used to quantitate the binding interaction between molecular species, specifically protein-protein interactions (including monoclonal antibodies), small molecule drug-protein interactions and drug-lipid interactions. The development of new instruments and methods, novel molecular tools such as new fluorescent probes and their applications, or the refinement of existing equipment or techniques will be considered. The objective should be the use of the instrument or method on a routine basis for either molecular screening or as an analytical technique in research relevant to drug discovery or development.
Areas of interest: 1) high-throughput binding assays; 2) more robust software for data acquisition analysis; and 3) improved methods for characterizing binding of membrane proteins. Technologies of particular interest include but are not restricted to: total internal reflection fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, high-throughput calorimetry, surface plasmon spectroscopies, atomic force microscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, analytical electrophoresis, analytical ultracentrifugation, light scattering, circular dichroism, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
Researchers at academic institutions are eligible to apply. The research must be conducted within the U.S. Awards typically range from $15,000 to $50,000 per year; project duration is typically two years. Researchers are encouraged to cite BITC support in proposals for funding from other sources, to use BITC funds to leverage grants and other funding opportunities, to support a portion of an instrument development project, or to support a graduate student or postdoctoral appointment. Institution overhead fees are held at 10% at the request of the NSF IUCRC program.
Submit a proposal via email as either an RTF or Word document, or as a PDF (deadline below). Proposals must be received by June 1st, 2012 and include a description of the project, estimated cost, duration, and credentials of the principal investigator. Email to: Dr. Thomas M. Laue, bitc.unh@unh.edu.
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