RNA and the Brain

Since its establishment in 1989, the Azrieli Foundation has supported eight key priority areas, including basic and clinical biomedical research. Our goal is to advance discoveries and novel approaches that address the core of challenging issues in medicine and society, including for neurodevelopmental conditions.

We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Azrieli Science Grants Program, and the launch of our first Request for Applications (RFA): “RNA and the Brain”.

In this call for applications, we seek to support research projects that deepen our understanding of the molecular events “downstream of RNA transcription” that diversify gene expression and function in embryonic and early postnatal development of the nervous system. The emphasis will be on how these mechanisms contribute to normal nervous system development, physiological homeostasis and/or neural cell function, and how their dysfunction may contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders. Our long term vision is that discoveries made possible by this RFA could lead to the development of mechanism-based interventions that address the fundamental molecular features that underlie neurodevelopmental conditions.

Funding

Individual or team projects will be funded to a maximum of Cdn $150,000 per year for a maximum of three years. We expect to fund the top six applications, as determined by an external peer-review process.

Topic Eligibility

• Post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, including, for example, (but not limited to): RNA splicing, stability, and localization; circular RNA biogenesis and function; regulation of RNAs by miRNA and RNA binding proteins (RBP); composition and role of RNA-associated granules and bodies
• Regulation of protein translation, including (but not limited to): Ribosome elongation, termination and quality control; localization of protein translation; regulation of protein degradation; Phase separation of protein complexes
• Spatial and temporal regulation of the above post-transcriptional/post-translational mechanisms in neuronal development and/or associated neurodevelopmental conditions
• We will accept applications using any relevant model/experimental system, provided the focus is relevant to the nervous system