Ataxia Research at the U of M

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC) has become a world leader with scientists from many disciplines collaborating with one another on ataxia research.

• University of Minnesota scientists are credited with identifying four genes linked to specific forms of hereditary ataxia.
  
  
• We are studying a diverse patient population which provides researchers with valuable insights and data needed to make accurate diagnoses.
  
  
• Our diverse patient base helps provide the collective information necessary to develop treatments and medications for patients with both hereditary and non-hereditary ataxia.
  
  
• The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center is beginning to explore new therapies and treatments that may be applied to neurodegenerative diseases like ataxia.
  
  

Announcement of request for research proposals

BOB ALLISON ATAXIA RESEARCH CENTER

ANNOUNCEMENT OF REQUEST FOR
RESEARCH PROPOSALS
FROM UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA FACULTY

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center (BAARC), an affiliate of the Minnesota Medical Foundation, is pleased to announce the 2008 Request for Research Proposals. Applications are being accepted until the deadline of noon on Monday March 10, 2008. These research grants are for new and existing innovative studies that focus on the cause, pathogenesis and novel therapies or treatments to be applied to ataxia. This year a particular interest will be to fund proposals on Friedreich’s ataxia. Submission of applications is restricted to University of Minnesota Faculty.

Grants are offered in two categories: 1) seed grants assist investigators in the early or pilot phase of their studies and 2) bridge grants provide additional support for ongoing research that has encountered a funding lapse. BAARC is allocating $300,000 for grants and expects to award grants with a maximum budget of $75,000. The aim is for grantees to use this support to secure future multi-year funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other significant funding sources. Grants are awarded for one year only. A final progress report is required.

The format for applications will follow the Minnesota Medical Foundation application for faculty research grants and will be electronic (MANDATORY). NOTE - If you intend to submit an application, you must notify Shirlyn Terrell at terre002@umn.edu prior to submission. Applications received without prior notification of intent will not be accepted.

Deadline for applications is noon on Monday, March 10, 2008.

For more information on grant policies, guidelines, and an application, please visit the Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center website at www.mmf.umn.edu/ataxia under Ataxia Research at the University of Minnesota; look for Faculty Research Grants. If you intend to submit a grant, please notify Shirlyn Terrell at terre002@umn.edu.

Related links
Application (Microsoft Word)
Grant policies and guidelines (Microsoft Word)

Medical Faculty Research Grants

The Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center is pleased to announce the 2005 recipients of BAARC grants:

H. Brent Clark, M.D., Ph.D.
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology
Project Title: Neuropathology Core for the Study of Ataxia and Movement Disorders

Timothy J. Ebner, M.D., P.D.
Department of Neuroscience
Project Title: Functional Characterization of Cerebellar Cortical Circuitry in SCA1 and SCA8 Mouse Models

Christopher Gomez, M.D., Ph.D
Department of Neurology
Project Title: SCA6-Specific Toxicity of an Endogenous Calcium Channel Protein Fragment

Walter C. Low, Ph.D.
Department of Neurosurgery
Project Title: Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells into the Cerebellar Cells in Experimental Ataxia

Laura P. W. Ranum, Ph.D.
Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development
Project Title: Molecular Genetics of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 5 (SCA5)

About Research Grants

Research grants are offered primarily as "seed monies" to assist investigators in the early or pilot phase of their studies and as additional support for ongoing research. Awards will generally range between $50,000 and $75,000. It is hoped that successful grantees will use these monies to further develop their research so as to be successful in securing future multi-year funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other significant funding sources. Grants are awarded for one year only. A final progress report (Microsoft Word) is required.

For more information, contact:

Cassidy Titcomb
Director of Development for Neurosciences
Bob Allison Ataxia Research Center
612-626-3186
c.titcomb@mmf.umn.edu

Shannon Birge Laudon
Assistant to Neurosciences
612-626-3186
s.birge@mmf.umn.edu