The Office of

• Biomedical Research Store (2580 MSRB II): The Store will be open for business until 2:30 PM December 24. The Store will reopen at 8:15AM on Thursday, January 2. The deadline for special orders to be placed will be at 12:00 Noon on Thursday, December 19.
• DNA Sequencing Core (2568 MSRB II): Services from the DNA Sequencing Core will not be available after 2:30 PM Tuesday, December 24. The Core will reopen at 8:30 AM Thursday, January 2.To receive results before the December 24 closing, please check the Core’s web site for notice of turnaround times and any holiday deadlines: http://seqcore.brcf.med.umich.edu/.
• Transgenic Animal Model Core (2578 MSRB II) & Protein Structure Core (2552/2558/2574 MSRB II): Services from these Cores will not be available after 2:30 PM Tuesday, December 24. The Cores will reopen at 9:00 AM Thursday, January 2.
• Flow Cytometry Core (7416 Cancer and Geriatrics Center): The Flow Core will be closed December 25 and January 1 and will operate with slightly reduced capacity from December 26 through December 28. In addition, the Flow lab will be running reduced hours (9-5) during the week between 12/25 and 1/2. Experiments should be scheduled in advance as usual. Since the week before Christmas tends to be very busy, investigators who wish to have experiments performed during that time (December 16-20) should schedule their experiments as soon as possible.
• NMR Core (1553 CC Little): Contact Scott Woehler, Ph.D., (763-9284) for the schedule.
• Biosafety Level 3 (BL3) Core (3566 MSRB II): Contact Steven King, Ph.D., (763-4859) for the schedule.

Funding Opportunities

Aging Pilot Grant
Internal Deadline: February 10, 2003
The University of Michigan Geriatrics Center and the Institute of Gerontology announce the availability of funds to support pilot/feasibility research in the Biology of Aging and in Geriatrics. The National Institute on Aging via the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center provides funding for the pilot project grants. Proposals may involve biomedical science, health services research, clinical physiology and pathophysiology, behavioral and social science research, or investigations into the basic biology of aging.
The Pepper Center has a particular interest in studies that propose to develop interventions, or intervention-related methods, that show promise for improving the health and independence of elderly people. The Shock Center is particularly interested in proposals that address fundamental questions in cell and molecular biology of aging.
Support is available for two kinds of applicants: (a) faculty members at a rank of Assistant Professor or below; or (b) faculty members at any rank who propose a collaboration between two laboratories, one of which has not previously carried out research in aging. Individual awards are for one year and will not exceed $35,000. Successful applicants are also eligible to make use of resources provided by the Research Resource Cores available within the Shock and Pepper Center programs. Contact: Karen Earl, kearl@umich.edu or 6-8198, Geriatrics, for complete details and application forms.

Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Funding
Internal Deadline: January 2, 2003
As the result of a very generous gift, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMCCC) is pleased to announce the availability of funds to support innovative research projects that will advance understanding of the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer and/or improve its prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Research on colorectal cancer survivors would also be welcome. At present, the UMCCC expects to award funding to one to three applicants. Applications are limited to one year of support, with a budget of up to $15,000 that can be used for personnel, supplies, small equipment purchase, or other reasonable costs (e.g., animal purchase and maintenance or core laboratory usage). The deadline for receipt of applications by the Cancer Center is 4 PM on January 2, 2003. Click here for complete details and application form. Contact: Ginny Schneider at 6-9603 or ginnysch@umich.edu.

Bioinformatics Pilot Grant Competition
Internal Deadline: January 3, 2003
The University of Michigan Bioinformatics Program announces the availability of funds to support collaborative research in bioinformatics. Pilot research grants in bioinformatics are intended to support the development of bioinformatics fundamentals, to expand its scope of applications, to foster future external funding of grants and program projects in bioinformatics, and to contribute to the development of a strength in bioinformatics at the University of Michigan. Proposals that deal with the development of widely applicable methods and global approaches are particularly encouraged. Collaboration is essential and preferably will involve investigators in different disciplines or sub-disciplines. Collaborations between biological and computational (including mathematics, engineering, statistics, chemistry, physics) scientists are viewed as particularly likely to initiate new areas of bioinformatics research at UM. Eligible investigators include members of the university’s regular instructional and research track faculty and Pfizer employees who are collaborating with a University investigator. Proposals are requested to involve 2-4 investigators. Awards up to $75,000 will be made for a period of one year. Funding provided by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. Contact: Michelle Overholser, mshukait@umich.edu or 615-5510.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Biological Psychiatry
Internal Deadline: December 9, 2002
The UM Medical School has been invited to submit one application for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 3 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to promising physicians (M.D. or D.O.) who wish to conduct original research in an academic environment. Applicants must demonstrate a strong career interest in academic research in biological psychiatry. Deadline for submission of application to Pfizer is January 10, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV on the nominee, and a nominating letter from the department chair. Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by December 9, 2002. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Pain Medicine
Internal Deadline: December 16, 2002
The U-M Medical School has been invited to submit one proposal for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 2 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to promising physicians who wish to conduct original research in an academic environment with a career interest in pain medicine. Deadline for submission of a proposal to Pfizer is January 15, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV, and a nominating letter from the department chair. Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by December 16, 2002. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Rheumatology/Immunology Internal Deadline: January 3, 2003
The U-M Medical School has been invited to submit one proposal for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 3 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to promising physicians who wish to conduct original research in an academic environment with a career interest in rheumatology/immunology. Deadline for submission of a proposal to Pfizer is January 24, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV, and a nominating letter from the department chair. Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by January 3, 2003. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Cardiovascular Medicine Internal Deadline: January 3, 2003
The U-M Medical School has been invited to submit one proposal for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 3 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. This Fellowship Program is designed to provide training opportunities for physician-scientists who wish to pursue basic biomedical research in an academic setting. Deadline for submission of a proposal to Pfizer is January 24, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV, and a nominating letter from the department chair. Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by January 3, 2003. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu.

Pfizer Postdoctoral Fellowship Grants in Infectious Diseases
Internal Deadline: January 24, 2003 The U-M Medical School has been invited to submit one application for this grant competition. Grants of $65,000 per year for 3 years are provided to the sponsoring medical school on behalf of the Fellow. The purpose of this initiative is to provide support to promising physicians who wish to conduct original research in an academic environment. Applicants must demonstrate a strong career interest in academic research in infectious diseases. Deadline for submission of an application to Pfizer is February 24, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee, submit the following: a 1-2 page research summary, a CV, and a nominating letter from the department chair. Submit all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624 by January 24, 2003. Contact: Denise Swayze, 763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu.

Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards
Deadline: February 3, 2003
The purpose of the Lasker Awards is to recognize and honor individuals who have made significant contributions in basic or clinical research in diseases that are the main cause of death and disability. The Awards are intended to recognize contributions that have opened new fields of research advancing novel concepts or their applications in a particular biomedical discipline. These advances may consist of a specific contribution or a long series of contributions that demonstrate the nominee's significant leadership towards the development of research concepts or their clinical application. Each award consists of an honorarium, a citation and an inscribed statuette of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, symbolizing victory over death and disease. The 2003 Awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony given by the Foundation in New York City. Three Awards are available to nominees:

• Basic Medical Research Award ($50,000) This Award honors the scientist or scientists who have made fundamental investigations that open new areas of biomedical science.
• Clinical Medical Research Award ($50,000) This Award honors the scientist or scientists whose contributions, directly or indirectly, have led to the improvement of the clinical management or treatment of patients and to the alleviation or elimination of one of the major medical causes of disability or death.
• Special Achievement Award in Medical Science ($25,000) This Award honors a scientist whose contributions to research are of unique magnitude and immeasurable influence on the course of science, health, or medicine and whose professional career has engendered within the biomedical community the deepest feelings of awe and respect. (This award will be given at the discretion of the Foundation in 2004.)

Mary Woodard Lasker Public Service Award
Deadline: February 3, 2003
The Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation invites nominations for their Public Service Award in support of medical research and the health sciences. The Award will honor exceptional individuals whose public service has profoundly enlarged the possibilities for medical research and the health sciences and their intended consequences. Nominees must meet at least one of the following criteria: 1) show extraordinary dedication to the purposes of medical research and/or the health sciences extending beyond job performance expectations; 2) exceptional fundraising or philanthropy in support of research, or health and technology initiatives against disease;
3) unqualified success at creating important institutional or legislative changes, or knowledge contributions that speed the progress against disease and disability;
4) compelling evidence of dramatically influencing the attitudes, expectations and understandings of leaders or the public toward medical research, medical practice, or the health sciences. Awards may be given to individuals, organizations or institutions. The winner will be presented at the Albert Lasker Medical Research Awards Program in New York City. Nomination forms may be downloaded from the Foundation website.

Fetzer Institute Research into End of Life and the Dying Process Deadline: January 10, 2003 (Letters of Intent)
The Fetzer Institute is a private operating foundation that supports research, education, and service programs, which explore the integral relationships among body, mind, and spirit. The Institute is currently accepting proposals from public or private nonprofit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, or research institutions for research toward understanding and improving quality of life at the end of life. Through the program, $1.3 million in funding is available for individual research projects ranging in duration from one to two years. The principal investigator on the research project must have a doctoral degree and sufficient training and experience to accomplish the proposed work. Empirical research that links biological, clinical, and/or social sciences with philosophical, ethical, and religious understanding is encouraged. Preference will be given to innovative, interdisciplinary collaboration. For the full RFP, visit the Fetzer Institute website.

SjÖgren's Syndrome Foundation Research Fellowships
Deadline: February 1, 2003 The SjÖgren's Syndrome Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of two research fellowships to a M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., or D.M.D seeking postdoctoral training in research related to SjÖgren's syndrome. The Foundation places a high priority on clinical or basic research into the cause, prevention, detection, treatment, and cure of SjÖgren's syndrome. The fellowships are funded at $35,000 annually and are renewable for one year beyond the initial year.

The American Syringomyelia Alliance Project (ASAP) Research Grants Deadline: February 15, 2002
Grants up to $50,000 are available. ASAP encourages proposals in the following areas:

• Central pain mechanisms in the spinal cord
• Presentation, symptomatology, and etiology of children with non-Chiari thoraco-lumbar syrinxes
• Mechanisms surrounding the formation, progression, and recession of syrinxes
• Mechanisms by which syrinxes fill, pre- and post- surgery, investigation in these areas by cross-disciplinary medical/engineering teams are welcomed
• Quantitative analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid system
• Natural history of untreated syringomyelia
• Investigations of endocrine and immunological abnormalities
• Outcome analysis (quality of life, degree of residual handicap, or long-term health problems of surgically treated patients > 5 years post-op).

See the Alliance Project website for complete details.

Bishop Fellows Program
Deadline: February 21, 2003
The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Foundation (STFM) introduces the Bishop Fellows Program. The F. Marian Bishop Charitable Trust supports this program. The year-long fellowship prepares senior family medicine faculty to assume positions of grater responsibility in academic medicine. The program includes the use of formal educational programs, mentorships, and self-development to nurture the skill set necessary for successful leaders who can articulate a new vision for the medical profession. The program seeks STFM members who are mid-career family medicine educators. Candidates should possess significant medical school administrative leadership experience (division chief, department head/chair, associate dean, center director, etc.) in administration of personnel, finance, curriculum management, clinical practice, etc. Contact Denise Swayze (dswayze@umich.edu) or 763-4086, Office of Research and Graduate Studies for a faxed copy of the program nomination packet.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for Distinguished Achievement in Metabolic Research
Deadline: March 6, 2003
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company calls for nominations for their Distinguished Achievement in Metabolic Research Award. The award of $50,000 and a silver commemorative medallion will be presented to a scientist who has made an outstanding contribution to progress in metabolic research, including diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, osteoporosis, or age-related diseases, either in laboratory or clinical studies. For detailed information, nomination procedures and an official nomination form, click here.