by Louis V. DePaolo, Ph.D.
Chief, Reproductive Science Branch

Funding Opportunities in Epigenetics and Epigenomics
It is becoming increasingly clear that the underpinnings of many heritable diseases and disorders are due to factors beyond variation in the genetic blueprint. Rather, emerging data indicate the increased importance of heritable changes in gene expression without DNA sequence changes (e.g., epigenetics) as causative to disease susceptibility. In an attempt to stimulate research in this exciting area, the NIH has released five funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) as part of a Roadmap initiative on epigenetics and epigenomics. The application receipt dates are in February and March which does not give you much time to respond. Hopefully, some of you will have seen these announcements released in November before reading this Newsletter. The initiatives and links to these FOAs are as follows:

Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers (U01)/Application
Receipt Date: March 7, 2008
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-013.html)

Epigenomics Data Analysis and Coordination Center - EDACC (U01)/Application 
Receipt Date: March 7, 2008
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-014.html)

Staff Additions in the RSB
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Esther Eisenberg has joined our staff through an Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement with Vanderbilt University. She will spend three days per week in the RSB as Project Scientist for the Reproductive Medicine Network and as Director of a newly established program in Translational Reproductive Medicine. Dr. Eisenberg's experience in academic medicine is a welcomed addition to the branch, and we look forward to her participation in the oversight of these important clinical programs.

Additional FOAs from the RSB
The following FOAs have been issued to stimulate interdisciplinary research in the area of implantation biology, and to provide training opportunities in the reproductive sciences for Latin American scientists in the U.S. or Canada.

Interdisciplinary Research on Implantation
(R01)/Application Receipt Date: standard dates
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-445.html)

Americas Fellowship in Reproductive Sciences
(F05)/Application Receipt Date: December 8, 2008 and 2009
(http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-07-453.html)