MCI-BCM Sponsored Target Screening Award
MCI-BCM Sponsored Target Screening Award supports investigators screening validated male contraceptive targets to identify small-molecule hits toward safe, reversible, non-hormonal contraception.
Funder: Male Contraceptive Initiative
Due Dates: Rolling (applications accepted until award resources are exhausted) | September 1, 2021 (opening date)
Funding Amounts: Sponsored screening of one contraceptive target per award; no direct funds; up to 5 awards expected
Summary: Supports screening of validated male contraceptive targets at Baylor College of Medicine to identify small-molecule hits.
Key Information: Investigators must supply purified protein and test identified hits using established assays.
Description
Male Contraceptive Initiative (MCI), in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), provides investigators access to DNA-Encoded Chemistry Technology (DEC-Tec) screening facilities in Dr. Martin Matzuk’s laboratory and BCM’s Center for Drug Discovery. The award supports screening of validated male contraceptive targets for small-molecule inhibitors, with the goal of identifying “hit” molecules that bind to a target of interest. It advances MCI’s mission to develop safe, effective, reversible, non-hormonal male contraception.
Ideal projects involve protein targets that are readily expressed and purified, established in vitro assays for measuring inhibitory activity, and plans to develop hits into lead compounds or attract follow-up funding. Sponsored activities focus on screening and hit identification; subsequent hit refinement and in vivo studies are outside this announcement’s scope.
