MDA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT

To: FSHD Working Group Members
From: Bill Moore, MDA Research Program Coordinator

Subj: GIFT RESTRICTED TO FSHD RESEARCH

To accommodate donors wishing to support a specific research project or the research of a particular investigator, some time ago the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) instituted a procedure whereby gifts could be channeled through the Association and be restricted for such purposes. The Association has recently been named beneficiary of a gift of some $50,000 restricted specifically for research targeted at identifying the gene defect for facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.

In keeping with the above-referenced policy, MDA is inviting applications from qualified investigators for projects with the specific aim of identifying the primary gene defect that results in FSHD. The gene responsible for FSHD has been localized to chromosome region 4q35. The goal of projects the Association is inviting will be to identify the specific gene or gene characteristic that results in FSHD.

Please address requests for a pre-proposal c/o my attention to MDA, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718. The pre-proposal form is also available on the MDA Web site at http://www.mda.org/research/guidelines.html. A full application will be sent upon receipt and review of the pre-proposal. The budget for such projects may realistically reflect what the Primary Investigator (PI) estimates would be required to advance the project. The Association is prepared to provide funding above the level of $50 thousand already earmarked for the project.