dkNET community events and announcements in October, 2026

Dear dkNET Community,

dkNET provides updates on activities of interest to the NIDDK-supported community. You could keep up to date on these activities through our Twitter feed @dkNET_info, through our Community Calendar, or through dkNET e-mail list. If you have an event or funding opportunities you'd like to advertise, please contact us info_at_dknet.org.

Events in October 2026

Oct. 01, 2026

Registration Open: The NIDDK Early Research Partnership Engagement Challenge

The NIDDK Early Research Partnership Engagement Challenge, in collaboration with the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), is designed to identify innovative, practical approaches that can strengthen engagement between researchers and relevant community partners before research plans are fully developed. The Challenge aims to advance research in NIDDK mission areas, such as diabetes, obesity, and kidney diseases, by strengthening meaningful partnerships from the earliest stages of research.

More information: https://www.nih.gov/challenges/niddk-early-research-partnership-engagement-challenge

Oct. 09, 2026
NIH Data Sharing and Reuse Seminar: Enabling Collaborative Genomic Studies with Privacy

The sensitive nature of genomic data poses major challenges for data sharing and collaboration in biomedicine. Traditional safeguards often lead to data silos, hindering large-scale analysis. In this seminar, Hyunghoon Cho will describe recent work on secure federated (SF) algorithms, which combine cryptography and distributed computation to enable collaborative genomics research without compromising privacy. He will showcase practical tools developed for key tasks, including genome-wide association studies (Nature Genetics, 2025) and inference of genetic relatedness (Genome Research, 2024). He will also discuss ongoing efforts to deploy these methods across large-scale biobanks and highlight broader opportunities for privacy-enhancing technologies in biomedical data sharing.

Speaker: Hyunghoon (Hoon) Cho, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science and of Computer Science at Yale University. He received his PhD in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT in 2019, following his MS and BS with Honors in Computer Science from Stanford University. His research focuses on overcoming computational challenges in analyzing massive and distributed biomedical data, developing modern tools based on applied cryptography and machine learning. He is particularly interested in building privacy-preserving, scalable AI and mathematical models to uncover insights from complex genomic data. He is a recipient of the NIH Director's Early Independence Award.

More information: https://datascience.nih.gov/news/october-data-sharing-and-reuse-seminar-2026

Oct. 19-23, 2026
Training: Isotope Tracers in Metabolic Research: Principles and Practice of Kinetic Analysis

This course provides introductory and comprehensive information on performing metabolic studies using tracers labeled with radioactive or stable isotopes in humans, animals, and cells. It is designed for beginners as well as experienced researchers who wish to expand their capabilities to address more sophisticated problems. The faculty has expertise in a wide variety of applications and methodologies.

Techniques are taught for investigating whole-body metabolism, metabolite balance across organs, intracellular flux rates, and pathway regulation in humans, animals, and cells. Basic aspects of modeling and specific applications to carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism and energy balance will be covered. Theoretical and practical topics related to sample analysis by mass spectrometry and NMR will also be discussed, including calculations for determining isotopic enrichment and basic kinetic parameters. Attendees will have opportunities to discuss their research projects in one-on-one mentoring sessions with faculty. Registration deadline: September 21, 2026.

Location: Nashville, TN, USA

More information: https://www.isotopetracercourse.com/

Oct. 23, 2026
dkNET Webinar: A Hormone Cell Atlas Maps the Human Endocrine System at Cellular Resolution

Join the dkNET webinar on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM PT.

Presenter: Lijiang Fei, PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge

Abstract:

Hormones act across tissues and organs to coordinate physiological functions. Inspired by the Human Cell Atlas, researchers analyzed the expression of 379 hormone and receptor genes in a transcriptomic dataset comprising 14 million single cells and nuclei across 47 human tissues. Using hormone2cell, they mapped putative hormone-producing and hormone-receiving cell types, defining tissue-specific and cross-tissue endocrine signatures.

The study predicted nonclassical sites of hormone expression, including secretin in plasmacytoid dendritic cells, inferred convergent hormone action and endocrine feedback loops, and identified cell populations potentially involved in monogenic endocrine disorders. Through cross-tissue integration of adipocyte datasets, the researchers also uncovered dynamic endocrine programs across depots, within adipocyte subtypes, and throughout adipogenic differentiation. The Hormone Cell Atlas (hormonecellatlas.org.uk) provides a comprehensive framework for investigating the impact of hormones on health and disease.

Three key questions the Hormone Cell Atlas can answer:

1. How widespread are hormone production and reception across human tissues and cell types?

2. How can single-cell transcriptomic data be used to quantify the hormone-producing and hormone-receiving potential of individual cell types?

3. Can a cross-tissue atlas reveal previously unrecognized sources and targets of hormone signaling?

Dial-in information: Register for the webinar

Oct. 27-29, 2026
2026 ADA Diabetes Technology Meeting

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) is partnering with the Diabetes Technology Society (DTS) to host the 26th Annual Diabetes Technology Meeting from October 27-29, 2026. The meeting will take place at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City and bring together researchers and professionals to explore advances in diabetes technology.

Location: Washington, DC, USA

More information: https://professional.diabetes.org/meetings

Funding Opportunities Information and Deadlines in October 2026

Oct. 20, 2026
HIRN Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: SPARKS Award

The Human Islet Research Network (HIRN) is pleased to announce the SPARKS Award, a new funding opportunity designed to support outstanding, innovative research ideas that advance the mission of HIRN. HIRN brings investigators together across disciplines, institutions, and consortia to accelerate progress in type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. The SPARKS Award is a direct reinvestment in the HIRN network, providing an opportunity to pursue new questions, collaborations, and insights generated by the community. The goal is to capture promising ideas developed within HIRN and fund them efficiently when resources allow. Collaborative project proposals are welcome, and the contact PI must be a current HIRN member.

More information: https://hirnetwork.org/funding_announcement/sparks