Introduction 
The MMPC (www.mmpc.org) is a resource to provide services to the community of scientists who use mice to study diabetes, obesity, diabetic complications, and other metabolic diseases. The MMPC comprises six Centers that are housed at academic institutions, staffed by experts in state-of-the-art technology. Researchers can ship mice to one of the Centers and obtain on a fee-for-service basis a range of complex exams used to characterize mouse metabolism, blood composition including hormones, energy balance and physical activity, eating and exercise, insulin resistance, organ function, metabolic fluxes and morphology, physiology, histology and measures of diabetic complications in heart, kidney, vasculature, eye, etc. Many tests are done in living animals and are designed to elucidate subtle to complex traits that would define models of metabolic disease.

DCC/MMPC Summer Student Opportunities in 2011

As part of the mission of the DCC and MMPC, data generated from both consortia is deposited in a shared database. The exact nature of how the data can be used by the scientific community is an area of interest. Therefore, the DCC and MMPC are accepting applications from investigators to fund students during the summer to mine the data currently deposited in the shared database or in combination with other relevant databases. The idea is for students to develop a thought experiment asking biological questions about diabetes, obesity, diabetic complications, or other metabolic diseases or specific animal models and use the DCC/MMPC sites to generate data and/or provide analyses. Examples of possible research questions include:

  • How well do plasma glucose levels correlate with measurements of organ (dys)function across various mouse strains?
  • Is glucose homeostasis disturbed in all animal models where elements of the AMPK pathway are altered in the liver?
  • What molecular pathways affect liver function measured as hepatic glucose production?
  • Do animal models showing kidney histopathology reminiscent of diabetic nephropathy also exhibit identifiable neuropathy?
  • Are certain mouse strains more susceptible to certain diabetic complications?

Successful applicants will be provided with a $3000 stipend.

Current members of the DCC and MMPC are eligible to serve as mentors. International institutions and organizations are eligible for support.

Applications are due Thursday, May 31, 2012 for July 1, 2012, start dates.


For instructions on how to submit a Summer Student Application to the DCC/MMPC web portal please click the following link: Funding Program Application Submission Basic Training (PDF)
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Introduction 
Applicants may request up to $3,000 Total Costs for one year. The number of awards will depend upon the number, quality, duration, and cost of the applications received.

Awards will be made as subcontracts from the DCC/MMPC Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit (CBU) at the Georgia Health Sciences University and not directly by the NIH.
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Review 
Each submitted proposal will be assigned to at least two reviewers with expertise in the area of a proposal. Final funding decisions will be made by the NIH.
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Timetable for DCC Summer Student Project Selection 
MAY 15, 2011 RFA posted on NIH website, DCC website, MMPC websites, and notification of the postings is sent to all US academic and research institutions.
MAY 31, 2011 Grants Submitted to CBU (Dr. Richard McIndoe, CA 4127, Georgia Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia, 30912)
JULY 1, 2011 Start date for DCC/MMPC Summer Student Funding
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Application & Eligibility 

The application is the standard PHS 398 form including face, abstract, biographical and other support pages (up to 4 pages), and research plan. The research plan should include the following sections:

  1. Specific Aims,
  2. Background and Significance,
  3. Research Design
  4. Literature Cited,
  5. Letter of Support from Mentor and Training Plan

(Sections A-C is limited to 3 PAGES).

NOTE: Applicants should submit one (1) paper copy to the DCC CBU at the address listed below, plus submit an electronic version of the application via the DCC website (PDF format only please).

Eligible Organizations: Public/State Controlled Institution of Higher Education; Private Institution of Higher Education; Hispanic-serving Institution; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Nonprofit with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Nonprofit without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institution of Higher Education); Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entity; Small Business; For-Profit Organization (Other than Small Business); State Government; Regional Organization; U.S. Territory or Possession; Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribal Government (Other than Federally Recognized); Indian/Native American Tribally Designated Organization; Eligible agencies of the Federal government; Faith-based or community based organizations.

Eligible Project Directors/Principal Investigators: Individuals with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry-out the proposed research are invited to work with their institution to develop an application for support. Individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups as well as individuals with disabilities are always encouraged to apply for NIH support. Young investigators are encouraged to apply.
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Progress Report 

A written summary of progress is due no later than two months following the completion of the funding period. It should include any identified “gaps” in the data and suggestions regarding what types of data and metadata would be needed to improve the utility of the database.
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Contact Information 

Questions, letters of intent and applications should be sent to the DCC/MMPC Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit (CBU) (Dr. Richard McIndoe, Director).
Richard McIndoe, Ph.D. (Coordinator)
Coordinating and Bioinformatics Unit
Georgia Health Sciences University
Center for Biotechnology and Genomic Medicine
1120 15th Street, CA4124
Augusta, GA 30912-4810
Phone: 706-721-3542
Fax: 706-721-3688
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