Notice about Strategic Open Call (August 2008)July 25, 2008 (Vancouver, BC) - On August 15, 2008, PrioNet will announce its Strategic Open Call (Open Call III). This open call relates to three new, integrated research themes reflective of PrioNet’s updated strategic plan. PrioNet proposes effective prion disease risk management as the central goal and value of the network as it moves forward. True and comprehensive prion risk management will be predicated on the understanding of the risk posed by prion infections, including their enormous cost burden, propensity to contaminate environments, poorly understood biology, and distressing facility to emerge and re-emerge in sporadic, genetic, and infectious manifestations across the animal kingdom.
These new research themes are organized around crucial changes in prion priorities in Canada and require a collaborative, multidisciplinary network approach involving both basic and social scientists to advance effective prion risk assessment and management for Canada.
Projects for PrioNet’s Open Call III must demonstrate all of the following components:
· Multi-disciplinary collaborations involving multi-provincial participation and/or international participation
· Knowledge translation and exchange activities
· Highly qualified personnel development
· Formalized partnerships
The new integrated research themes are:
I. Prion Ecology - This theme addresses the impact that prion contamination has on bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and chronic wasting disease (CWD)-affected environments. In particular, continuing issues from the BSE crisis will be addressed to improve the worldwide perception and brand visibility of Canadian beef. Examples of potential project areas for this theme may be: BSE monitoring and control, policy and mandated management of BSE, or CWD environmental management.
II. Prion Biology - This theme addresses the fundamental science that remains to be explained, including understanding the novel and bizarre nature of prion infection, the significance of prion disease strains, the seeming “spontaneous generation” of prions in humans and cattle, and the chemical biology of prions to provide clues for diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Some of the most noticeable gaps include understanding the neuropathological, immunological, and biochemical characterization of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). Examples of potential project areas for this theme may be: propagation and pathogenesis of prions, biomarkers of prion disease treatments, prion strains and de novo prion diseases.
III. Prion Preparedness and Prevention - This theme represents a key impact to prevent or effectively manage prion disease risks in Canada. For example, a growing problem is posed by CWD which is spreading geographically and among species. In the absence of effective control strategies, the entire North American herd of cervids including deer, moose, elk, and, potentially, caribou is at risk, with vulnerable communities such as First Nations or hunters also at risk. Examples of potential project areas for this theme may be: novel cross-species prion transmission, solutions to the management of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and its variants, or socioeconomic impacts of TSE-affected communities and vulnerable communities.
PrioNet will work proactively in collaboration with investigators to develop letters of intent. This open call will target larger, two-year projects (April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2011) that will address deriving socioeconomic benefits to Canada with clear milestones and deliverables focused on outcomes.
Complete details related to the open call will be available on August 15, 2008. Letters-of-intent will be due September 15, 2008.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle Wong, PhD
Manager, Scientific Affairs & Training | | PrioNet Canada | tel: 604-222-3608
e-mail: mwong@prionetcanada.ca |
Last Updated: 7/25/2008 12:28:30 PM
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