Illuminating the Druggable Genome (IDG) Program Pilot Projects Investigating Understudied G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Ion Channels, and Protein Kinases

The goal of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the Common Fund Program "Illuminating the Druggable Genome" (IDG; https://commonfund.nih.gov/idg/index) is to solicit applications for pilot projects on IDG-eligible understudied proteins (non-olfactory GPCRs, protein kinases, and ion channels) in order to study them beyond what the IDG’s Centers can accomplish and to validate and demonstrate the utility of IDG-generated reagents, data, and approaches. Awards will support the generation of additional data and tools around understudied protein(s) identified by the IDG Program to elucidate the function of these proteins in the context of human disease. Outcomes such as generated tools and data collection by these projects will enhance the overall goals of the IDG Program by expanding the resources available for the scientific community, increasing awareness of the IDG Program through use of IDG-generated resources, and/or extending the characterization of IDG-eligible proteins. The overall goal of the IDG Program is to catalyze research in areas of biology that are currently understudied but that have high potential to impact human health by (1) identifying biochemical, cellular, or animal model phenotypes for understudied proteins from druggable gene families, (2) enabling further investigation of those proteins by providing reagents and tools, and (3) generating, maintaining, and facilitating the use of a minable knowledge base. Letter of Intent Due Date: June 15, 2022