Technologies for closing DNA sequence gaps and improving methods for obtaining the sequence of difficult-to-sequence regions. (Fellowships, Grants, & Awards).

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) invites applications to develop strategies and technologies for obtaining DNA sequence in the gaps that, due to limitations in available cloning and sequencing technology, will remain in essentially finished genomic sequence. Such gaps may arise from an inability to done a region in any available vector system or to obtain sequence from all or part of an available clone. Such gaps have been encountered in every large genome sequencing effort to date. NHGRI encourages the development of novel approaches to allow completion of the DNA sequence within the gaps left by current sequencing methods and to improve the efficiency of sequencing in genomic regions that have proved difficult to sequence.

The large-scale sequencing centers have provided lists of clones containing regions with gaps or DNA that was difficult to sequence, posted at http://www. nhgri.nih.gov/About_NHGRI/Der/gapPA.html. Investigators applying for this program announcement (PA) may use this information to find clones on which they may develop and demonstrate their strategy/technology. This PA is limited to proposals to develop and obtain proof of principle for new technologies.

Approximately $2 million is available for funding, and 5-10 awards may be made during the first year of the program, contingent upon the availability of funds and receipt of a sufficient number of high-quality applications. The anticipated award dates are 1 December 2001, 1 April 2002, and 1 July 2002. This PA will be in effect for three years; additional announcements to continue this program may be issued in the future.

Applications are to be submitted on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98) and submitted by the standard deadlines as indicated in the application kit. This form is available online at http:// grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/phs398/phs398.html. Applicants planning to submit an investigator-initiated new (type 1), competing continuation (type 2), competing supplement, or any amended/revised version of the preceding grant application types requesting $500,000 or more in direct costs for any year must contact the institute program staff before submitting the application, i.e., as plans for the study are being developed. The applicant must also obtain agreement from the institute staff that the institute will accept the application for consideration, and identify, in a cover letter, the staff member and institute who agreed to accept assignment of the application. More information on this PA is available online at http://grants.nih. gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAS-00-112.html.

Contact: Jane Peterson, NHGRI, 31 Center Drive, Room B2B07, Building 31, MSC 2033, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA, 301-496-7531, fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Reference: PA No. PAS-00-112