<tt><tt>The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (http://www.michaeljfox.org/ ) has announced the launch of its 2008
Target Validation effort. Through this annual program, the foundation will
support projects designed to validate the therapeutic potential of
scientific discoveries, pushing them one step closer to possible
pharmaceutical industry investment and clinical trials.

Target Validation 2008 specifically seeks investigator-initiated
applications to demonstrate that modulation of a specific cellular target
(such as a gene or protein) results in a PD-relevant therapeutic response
in an appropriate whole-animal mammalian model of PD. Of particular
interest are targets whose manipulation holds the potential to treat the
symptoms of PD, including both "motor" and "non-motor" symptoms. Also of
interest are targets that could be used to protect or restore
degenerating neurons, as well as those that can treat complications of current
PD treatments.

Applications may be submitted by U.S. and non-U.S. entities, public and
private nonprofit entities (such as universities, colleges, hospitals,
laboratories, units of state and local governments), and eligible
agencies of the federal government and for-profit entities. Post-doctoral
students or fellows are not eligible to apply as principal investigators
for this Request for Applications.

MJFF will commit a minimum of $2 million to this initiative and
intends to fund multiple proposals. Applicants may request a project period
of up to two years and a total budget of $250,000.

The complete RFA is available at the Michael J. Fox Foundation Web
site.

RFP Link:
http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/pnd/10009831/michaeljfox</tt></tt>