National Cancer Institute, Research Contracts Branch, PSAS, 6120 Executive Blvd, EPS/Room 638, Bethesda, MD 20892-7227

B -- FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF GENES WHICH REGULATE EMBRYO LOGIC MORPHOGENESIS" SOL RFQ80077(NR) DUE 021898 POC Marsha Gorham, Purchasing Agent (301)402-4509 or Trish Haun, CO The National Cancer Institute (NCI) intends to procure services involving "Functional analysis of genes which regulate embryo logic morphogenesis" from Dr. Vladimir Knezevic, 3113 Hewitt Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20906. Background: The Laboratory of Pathology, Division of Clinical Sciences is attempting to identify genes and their protein products which accelerate, or retard, the process of cancer progression from normal cells to malignant cells. This research involves experimental manipulation of mouse and chicken embryos, the isolation and sequencing of genes which effect the pattern of morphogenesis, and the functional characterization of these genes in the tissue context. The goal is to study how the primitive endodermal layer functions as a signaling center for the induction of certain gastrulational organizer'-specific transcription factors in the embryonic epiblast layer. A further goal is to use embryo graft models to elucidate the mechanisms by which the regulation of message stability and transport in the embryo is achieved. This contract will provide support for a scientist with specialized expertise to conduct animal embryo tissue grafts and culture models to study tissue morphogenesis. Dr. Knezevic has developed a blastoderm culture system and has shown that activin and retinoic acid signals strongly synergize to induct expression of the key genesGnot1 and Gnot2. Using embryonic tissue grafts, Dr. Knezevic will engage in research evaluating the hypothesis that the primitive extra-embryonic endodermal layer functions as a signaling center for the induction of certain gastrulational organizer'-specific transcription factors in the embryonic epiblast layer. Dr. Knezevic is the only source known to NCI that can perform these services and this notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, if any interested party believes it can perform the above services, it may submit a statement of capabilities. Information furnished must be writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NCI to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Capability statement must be received in the contracting office within 15 days after the publication date of this notice. (0034)

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