Notice of Opportunity for Fast Track Entry of Assay Projects for High Throughput Screening into the NIH Roadmap Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network


Notice Number: NOT-RM-11-018

Key Dates

Release Date: May 11, 2011

Related Notices

NOT-RM-09-011

Issued by

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), on behalf of the NIH Roadmap Molecular Libraries Program

Purpose

The purpose of this Notice is to change the contact information for a Fast Track Program by which applicants with Assay Projects that were designed for use in High Throughput Screening (HTS) can submit a request for access to the HTS and probe development resources of the Common Fund Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN). 

The Roadmap Assay Development for High Throughput Screening (HTS) Program has served as a key incubator funding the development of assay projects for HTS that advance to the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN; http://mli.nih.gov/mli/). The assays are then screened by a participating Network Center against the Molecular Libraries Small Molecule Repository (MLSMR; http://mlsmr.glpg.com/MLSMR_HomePage/), and promising small molecule hits developed further as molecular probes.  Projects funded in the Assay Development for HTS Program are eligible for rapid entry into the MLPCN when completed, via a Fast Track request for screening requiring a technical review of projects by the Roadmap Molecular Libraries Project Team.  This technical review emphasizes project readiness and the need for probes to the proposed target.  Requests for MLPCN entry and screening are reviewed by the Project Team on a monthly basis, and upon approval are immediately assigned to a Network Screening Center for implementation. 

The NIH has extended this Fast Track pathway to MLPCN entry to NIH Investigator-initiated and Institute-sponsored projects and activities that support the development of assay projects for HTS.  To be eligible, a project should meet the goals of the Assay Development for HTS Program, and have embedded in its scientifically reviewed and funded research proposal the development of assays (primary, secondary and counter-screening) for use in a HTS and probe development project.  The HTS project plan employing these assays should be directed at the development of a unique molecular probe that can be used to explore biochemical, cellular and physiological function.  Potential applicants should reference the project development guidelines described in the announcement: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-182.html. This announcement describes the specific requirements for development of assay projects for HTS that determine eligibility for Fast Track entry into the MLPCN.  Investigators are asked to provide assay characterization data, and to address the following technical feasibility questions: 1) Are the proposed screening assays feasible in HTS format? 2) Is the screening plan complete? 3) Are key reagents required for execution of the HTS project available? 4) What is the current availability of pharmacological probes to the proposed target, mechanism or phenotype? 5) Are pilot screening data available? Collaboration activities between the Investigator and assigned Screening Center will be agreed upon following acceptance of the HTS project, and may include travel to the screening center, hit follow-up in the Investigators laboratory using secondary and counter-screening assays developed by the Investigator as part of the screening project, and the further preparation of reagents needed for the HTS and requiring special expertise of the PI in production.

It is important to note that Fast Track applications constitute a request for access to HTS resources of the MLPCN, and are not a request for direct funding.

Data Sharing

Please refer to NOT-RM-09-020 (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-RM-09-020.html) for the Data Release Policy for the Molecular Libraries Program.

Inquiries

For further information regarding eligibility for the Fast Track Program, and information on preparing requests for MLPCN entry, please contact:

Yong Yao, Ph.D.
NIH Common Fund Molecular Libraries Program
Division of Neuroscience and Basic Behavioral Science
National Institute of Mental Health
6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 7175, MSC 9641
Bethesda, MD 20892-964
Telephone: (301) 443-6102
Email: yyao@mail.nih.gov