The overall goal of this award mechanism is to allow NF investigators to develop the skills and generate the preclinical data necessary to conduct clinical trials after completion of the research. Detailed descriptions of each of these mechanisms, submission requirements, and evaluation criteria can be found in the FY01 NFRP Program Announcement. This will be of broad interest to the research community. It is targeted toward those scientists who are interested in isolating genes that cause neurological disorders or affect their severity, whether they be single gene or more genetically complex disorders. The RFA could support family studies, linkage analysis, positional cloning, etc.
All testing is free of charge.
No laboratory tests will be performed as part of the study. Yale Child Study Center Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, Connecticut Tumor Growth Study Dr. Nancy Ratner at the University of Cincinnati requires neurofibromas from NF1 patients for an ongoing study of tumor growth factors, growth factor receptors, and signaling pathways in neurofibroma cells. To be enrolled in this study, tumors must be removed by the patients' own physician for medical reasons. The study requires sterile tumor tissue covered by and shipped in tissue culture medium, on wet ice. Plexiform or cutaneous neurofibromas can be used.