SMA Europe: Research in Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)

This new Call for SMA Projects will be open to any research project aimed at finding a therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) or at elucidating the basic pathophysiological processes of the disease. Priority will be given to projects concentrating on the following areas:
1. Understanding and Function of the SMN Complex as it relates to the development of SMA
2. Innovative Approaches for Therapy of SMA
3. Projects addressing bottlenecks impairing rapid translation from basic research to clinical trials including: Outcome measures and biomarker validation (physiological markers, pulmonary function, muscle mass quantification and function, CNS imaging etc),route of administration of potential therapeutics, including studies of inter-species differences in the Blood Brain Barrier.
4. Natural History of the early phase in Type I SMA
Two types of research grants will be awarded: Operating Grants & Postdoctoral Fellowship, each for up to €150,000. Awards are for up to 2 years. Under special circumstance may be longer.
http://www.sma-europe.eu/prj_details.php?id=6
http://www.afm-telethon.com/media/files/afm_telethon_6th_call_sma-europe_research_projects.pdf