Gates Foundation - Grand Challenges: Gut Function Biomarkers - letters of inquiry

The goal of this opportunity is to identify and validate biomarkers of gut function to improve the health and development of children in the developing world. This funding initiative is intended to identify a promising biomarker or a biomarker signature that accurately reflects physical and physiological properties of the structural and/or functional integrity of the gut—especially the ileum or small bowel. Topic Areas of Interest:
1: Investigation and validation of factors involved in retaining healthy gut lineages or normal barrier functions and intestinal permeability.
2: Studies on and discovery of markers associated with epithelial injury and repair or acute inflammation, such as matrix metalloproteinases, kinases, caspases, cytokines, eicosanoids, hormones, or other molecules that could be definitively traced back to gut pathogenesis or dysfunction.
3: Examination and discovery of markers indicating the functional status of the gut’s ability to absorb, transport, and secrete major nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fatty acids.
4: Analysis and identification of hormonal markers involved in autonomic, neuroendocrine functions of the digestive system relevant to gut function or dysfunction.
5: Elucidation of systemic markers that influence or are associated with linear growth or cognitive development in children where the markers have purported or well?defined linkages to malnutrition or gut health.
Funding: $1.5M over 2 years. The foundation will fund up to $9M in this program,
http://www.grandchallenges.org/biomarkers/Pages/Gut_Function_Biomarkers.aspx
http://www.grandchallenges.org/GCGHDocs/Gut_Function_Biomarkers_Rules_and_Guidelines.pdf