dkNET community events and announcements in October, 2019
- 04:09pm October 7, 2019
- Ko-Wei Lin
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.
dkNET NewsMore than 59 research tools have been added to dkNET this month, including:
- ExPASy ABCD database (RRID:SCR_017401) is a manually curated repository of sequenced antibodies, developed by Geneva Antibody Facility at University of Geneva, in collaboration with CALIPHO and Swiss Prot groups at SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics. It is a database that provides a list of sequenced antibodies with their known targets. Each antibody is assigned a unique ID number that can be used in academic publications to increase reproducibility of experiments.
- Glimma (RRID:SCR_017389) is a software package for interactive graphics for gene expression analysis. It generates interactive visualizations for analysis of RNA-sequencing data.
- CoMeTa Website (RRID:SCR_017357) is an interactive database of miRNA targets and miRNA-regulated gene networks to integrate expression data from hundreds of cellular and tissue conditions. It includes CoMeTa corank lists and additional targets for all of human miRNAs, their associated pathways resulting from COOL analysis, and miRNA communities with their corresponding enriched functional categories. It is searchable by miRNA, target gene, or biological function of interest, and represents a unique resource to gain insight into miRNA-controlled gene networks and functions.
- miRTarBase (RRID:SCR_017355) is a web-based manually curated experimentally validated database of microRNA-Target interactions. Collection of MTIs data validated experimentally by reporter assays, western blot, or microarray experiments with overexpression or knockdown of miRNAs.
- miRpathDB (RRID:SCR_017356) contains a collection of single miRNAs that regulate pathways, gene ontologies and other categories, hence complementing available miRNA target enrichment programs, tailored for miRNA sets. It contains a new dictionary on microRNAs and target pathways. It is a database to augment available target pathway web-servers by providing researches access to information on which pathways are regulated by miRNA, which miRNAs target pathway and how specific regulations are.
- PathwayNet (RRID:SCR_017353) is a web user interface for interaction predictions of human gene networks and integrative analysis of user data types that takes advantage of data from diverse tissue and cell-lineage origins. It predicts the presence of functional association and interaction type among human genes or its protein products on the whole genome scale. It is used to analyze experimental genes in the context of interaction networks.
Events in October, 2019
Oct. 02, 2019
Scholarship Deadline: Keystone Symposia - Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ (J6)
Recent years have seen great strides in understanding pancreatic endocrine islet cells. Spurred by new and emerging technologies, we are making discoveries about the impact of genetic variation on islet cells; how islet cell subpopulations differ; communication between islet cells and with the local environment, including components of the immune system; and how these interact to effect islet loss and dysfunction. A more integrated understanding of these processes will lead to important insights into diabetes and its treatment. Connecting researchers in the complimentary fields of genomics, immunology, islet cell function, and single-cell biology will be crucial to realizing this. One of the goals of this Keystone conference is to promote greater integration in our approaches to studying islet biology - spanning from genes, to single cells, to islets as micro-organs, and to the interaction of these with their local environment. Conference participants will learn about new methods and technological approaches among islet-biology investigators. This conference will also help to facilitate the development of new collaborations among attendees. We anticipate that this conference will highlight the challenges and potential new solutions in bringing integrated approaches to islet biology for the advancement of diabetes-related knowledge. Location: Santa Fe, NM, USA
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=web.meeting.program&meetingid=1707
Oct. 02, 2019
Scholarship deadline: Keystone Symposia - Diabetes: Glucose Control and Beyond (J5)
Modern technology has created a favorable climate for the “perfect metabolic storm”. Triggered by lifestyle habits that promote overnutrition and inactivity, Westernized societies are experiencing epidemic rates of obesity and its attendant co-morbidities. Foremost among these is type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is projected to reach a global prevalence of 10% by the year 2045. This grim epidemiological forecast has inspired intense efforts to unravel the molecular mechanisms that link positive energy balance to glucose intolerance and metabolic decline. This Diabetes meeting will assemble international leaders and rising stars in diverse biomedical disciplines with common interests in understanding and combatting cardiometabolic diseases. The program showcases new insights into the molecular underpinnings of obesity-induced dysfunction of the major peripheral organs that coordinate energy flux and glucose control: skeletal and cardiac muscles, the pancreas, adipose tissue, the liver and gut. Thematic emphasis will center on nutrient sensing and signaling, inter-organ crosstalk, mechanisms of insulin resistance, mitochondrial bioenergetics, islet biology and genetics of diabetes. A major goal of the meeting is to provide a forum that encourages interactions between basic and translational scientists at all career levels to critically evaluate recent advances and current controversies. Opportunities for interdisciplinary interactions will be further enhanced by the concurrent meeting on Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ. This meeting will consider metabolism in relation to islet function, in addition to studies of islet cell plasticity and differentiation. Location: Santa Fe, NM, USA
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=web.meeting.program&meetingid=1706
NIDDK Workshop: Uncovering the Hidden Burden of Benign Genitourinary Conditions
The purpose of the workshop is to convene an interdisciplinary group of researchers and health professionals—including urologists and urogynecologists working in traditional benign urologic condition (BUC) silos, primary care providers, measurement and data scientists, basic scientists, economists, policy experts, public health professionals, and others—to answer key questions, including the following: What data are needed to understand the hidden burden of BUCs? How can these data be captured in a feasible manner to build a complete picture of the burden of BUCs? Are new tools needed for the data capture? Location: Bethesda, MD, USA
More information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2019/uncovering-the-hidden-burden-of-benign-genitourinary-conditions
Oct. 15-18, 2019
The 13th European Nutrition Conference, Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) 2019
The Nutrition Society in cooperation with The Nutrition Society Irish Section are pleased, as hosts, to invite you to the 13th European Nutrition Conference, Federation of European Nutrition Societies (FENS) 2019 in Dublin, Ireland. The conference will take place from 15 – 18 October 2019 in the Convention Centre Dublin, Ireland in the heart of Dublin city. The FENS European Nutrition Conference is held once every four years, and is the premier European meeting in its field. The theme for the 2019 conference is “Malnutrition in an Obese World: European Perspectives”. Location: Dublin, Ireland
More information: http://www.fens2019.org
Nature Conference: Advances in Metabolic Communication
The coordination of nutrient sensing and energy metabolism is essential for the maintenance of cellular and organismal homeostasis. To achieve this finely tuned regulation, metabolic information must be communicated among cells, tissues and organs. The goal of this conference is to bring together experts from diverse fields to discuss recent advances in understanding how signaling pathways in one organelle, cell or tissue may influence metabolic functions in other cellular compartments, cells and organs and, ultimately, systemic control of energy homeostasis. The conference will encourage discussion of the physiological processes governing these interactions as well as the role of miscommunication in the development of metabolic diseases and aging. Location: Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
More information: https://serrapilheira.org/natureconference/
Oct. 19-23, 2019
Neuroscience 2019
16th International Conference on Bioactive Lipids in Cancer, Inflammation and related Diseases
The goal of this 30 year meeting series is to promote the exchange of existing knowledge from around the world, foster new research ventures and interdisciplinary approaches and provide a forum for the dissemination of the latest scientific information on bioactive lipids in health and disease as it relates to cancer, inflammation, and inflammation associated diseases such as cardiovascular, diabetes, hypertension, psoriasis, Alzheimer's, neurological function, dermatological conditions, etc. Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA
More information: https://bioactivelipids.org
Oct. 23, 2019
Scholarship Deadline: Keystone Symposia - Obesity and NAFLD: Mechanisms and Therapeutics (B3)
Energy metabolism underlies all facets of human health. Now, with rates of obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) surging, understanding how energy metabolism is governed is of the utmost interest. Halting the progression of NAFLD into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is considered an unmet need in human health. At this meeting, we will discuss regulatory elements underlying obesity and NAFLD, and the metabolic underpinnings of NASH. We will focus on metabolites, hormones, and cellular signaling pathways. We will also examine the leading edge of therapeutic approaches for obesity and NASH. We will bring together scientists and physicians specializing in basic, translational, and clinical research, as well as industry scientists, to create a robust exchange of ideas on how to move the field forward. Location: Banff, AB, Canada
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=web.meeting.program&meetingid=1698
Abstract Deadline: Keystone Symposia - Diabetes: Glucose Control and Beyond (J5)
Modern technology has created a favorable climate for the “perfect metabolic storm”. Triggered by lifestyle habits that promote overnutrition and inactivity, Westernized societies are experiencing epidemic rates of obesity and its attendant co-morbidities. Foremost among these is type 2 diabetes mellitus, which is projected to reach a global prevalence of 10% by the year 2045. This grim epidemiological forecast has inspired intense efforts to unravel the molecular mechanisms that link positive energy balance to glucose intolerance and metabolic decline. This Diabetes meeting will assemble international leaders and rising stars in diverse biomedical disciplines with common interests in understanding and combatting cardiometabolic diseases. The program showcases new insights into the molecular underpinnings of obesity-induced dysfunction of the major peripheral organs that coordinate energy flux and glucose control: skeletal and cardiac muscles, the pancreas, adipose tissue, the liver and gut. Thematic emphasis will center on nutrient sensing and signaling, inter-organ crosstalk, mechanisms of insulin resistance, mitochondrial bioenergetics, islet biology and genetics of diabetes. A major goal of the meeting is to provide a forum that encourages interactions between basic and translational scientists at all career levels to critically evaluate recent advances and current controversies. Opportunities for interdisciplinary interactions will be further enhanced by the concurrent meeting on Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ. This meeting will consider metabolism in relation to islet function, in addition to studies of islet cell plasticity and differentiation. Location: Santa Fe, NM, USA
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=web.meeting.program&meetingid=1706
Oct. 30, 2019
Abstract Deadline: Keystone Symposia - Islet Biology: From Gene to Cell to Micro-Organ (J6)
Recent years have seen great strides in understanding pancreatic endocrine islet cells. Spurred by new and emerging technologies, we are making discoveries about the impact of genetic variation on islet cells; how islet cell subpopulations differ; communication between islet cells and with the local environment, including components of the immune system; and how these interact to effect islet loss and dysfunction. A more integrated understanding of these processes will lead to important insights into diabetes and its treatment. Connecting researchers in the complimentary fields of genomics, immunology, islet cell function, and single-cell biology will be crucial to realizing this. One of the goals of this Keystone conference is to promote greater integration in our approaches to studying islet biology - spanning from genes, to single cells, to islets as micro-organs, and to the interaction of these with their local environment. Conference participants will learn about new methods and technological approaches among islet-biology investigators. This conference will also help to facilitate the development of new collaborations among attendees. We anticipate that this conference will highlight the challenges and potential new solutions in bringing integrated approaches to islet biology for the advancement of diabetes-related knowledge. Location: Santa Fe, NM, USA
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=web.meeting.program&meetingid=1707
Oct. 31, 2019
Discounted Abstract Deadline:New Insights into the Biology of Exercise
Exercise and regular physical activity are widely recognized to be important for maintaining overall health and wellness. Furthermore, exercise has been proven to be an effective therapy for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The physiological response of selected tissues, such as skeletal muscle, heart, liver, adipose, and brain to exercise has been studied to varying degrees in healthy and unhealthy individuals; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acute responses and training adaptations to exercise remain poorly defined. The study of exercise is not a new field but is receiving increased interest because of the many health-promoting benefits of regular aerobic and resistance exercise. This conference includes selected speakers who can present new findings related to the response of multiple organs/tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, heart, vascular, brain) to exercise in both animal models and humans. The overarching goals for the conference are to 1) encourage discussion of the integrative multiple organ response to exercise, 2) encourage discussion and integration of basic and translational research, and 3) provide an environment for investigators to network and initiate new collaborations. Location: Keystone, CO 80435, USA
More information:
http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=Web.Meeting.Summary&\;meetingid=1712&\;subTab=summary
Registration Deadline: NMRI Mid-West Regional Meeting
More than 300 researchers have participated in NMRI workshops in the past decade, and approximately 100 are active members. The success of the NMRI, a network that is “owned” by its members and supported by the NIDDK, begins with the dedication of senior investigators who mentor and serve as role models for junior investigators. The participation of active members and the recruitment of new members is a primary reason for the Network’s success in the past and the reason for confidence that it will continue to grow in the future. Location: Iowa City, IA, USA
More information:
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2019/nmri-midwest-meeting-2019
Oct. 31, 2019
Scholarship Deadline: New Insights into the Biology of Exercise
Exercise and regular physical activity are widely recognized to be important for maintaining overall health and wellness. Furthermore, exercise has been proven to be an effective therapy for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The physiological response of selected tissues, such as skeletal muscle, heart, liver, adipose, and brain to exercise has been studied to varying degrees in healthy and unhealthy individuals; however, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the acute responses and training adaptations to exercise remain poorly defined. The study of exercise is not a new field but is receiving increased interest because of the many health-promoting benefits of regular aerobic and resistance exercise. This conference includes selected speakers who can present new findings related to the response of multiple organs/tissues (skeletal muscle, liver, adipose tissue, heart, vascular, brain) to exercise in both animal models and humans. The overarching goals for the conference are to 1) encourage discussion of the integrative multiple organ response to exercise, 2) encourage discussion and integration of basic and translational research, and 3) provide an environment for investigators to network and initiate new collaborations. Location: Keystone, CO 80435, USA
More information: http://www.keystonesymposia.org/index.cfm?e=Web.Meeting.Summary&\;meetingid=1712&\;subTab=summary
Funding opportunities information and deadlines in October, 2019
Oct. 07, 2019
NIDDK Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Adipogenesis, Adipocyte Function and Obesity Following HIV Infection, Antiretroviral Therapy, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
The prevalence of obesity is increasing in people with HIV (PWH), contributing to multiple complications associated with this condition. There is mounting evidence that there are unique mechanisms contributing to the development of obesity in PWH versus people without HIV. Furthermore, the biology of the adipocytes might be altered in overweight or obese PWH versus overweight or obese people without HIV. This FOA seeks applications to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of how HIV and antiretroviral drugs used for therapy or pre-exposure prophylaxis contribute to the development of obesity and alter adipocyte and adipose tissue function as well as the effects of these processes on metabolic and physiological processes within the mission of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). More information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/research-funding/current-opportunities/rfa-dk-19-008
Oct. 07, 2019
NIDDK Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: (Re)Building a Kidney (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) RFA
This FOA invites new applications for the (Re)Building a Kidney (RBK) Consortium (www.rebuildingakidney.org) that will contribute to the development and testing of advanced therapies for treatment of kidney injuries or diseases. Specifically, the goal of the RBK is to improve or restore kidney function by either of two distinct approaches: (1) enhancement of endogenous productive kidney repair/regeneration by small molecules, proteins, or engraftment of cells, organoids, etc., or (2) building functional replacement kidney tissue ex vivo for transplantation. Both approaches will require diverse scientific expertise drawn from several disciplines including, but not limited to, developmental and cellular biology, productive repair/regeneration post injury, stem and progenitor cell biology, tissue engineering, renal physiology, nephrology, and the use of model organisms. Thus, it is expected that each application will assemble a research team of investigators with complementary expertise to address the goal of the RBK. To maximize scientific exchange, the RBK will continue to include a Data Hub to facilitate curation and sharing of data, resources, tools, methods, etc. within the consortium and with the broader research community. More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/1896
Oct. 12, 2019
NIDDK Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Early-Stage Preclinical Validation of Therapeutic Leads for Diseases of Interest to the NIDDK (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
The goal of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to support translational research that provides strong justification for later-phase therapeutics discovery and development efforts in health-related outcomes relevant to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. This includes outcomes relevant to obesity, diabetes and related aspects of endocrinology and metabolism, digestive diseases, liver diseases, nutrition, kidney and urological diseases, and hematology. Additional information concerning programmatic areas at NIDDK is available a www.niddk.nih.gov/research-funding/research-programs/Pages/default.aspx and applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss research priorities with the Scientific Contact. More information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/research-funding/current-opportunities/par-19-294
NIDDK Request for Information (RFI) Submission Deadline: Regarding Bioinformatics/Computational Needs for NIDDK Investigators Engaged in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Research
The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) invites interested investigators to provide input on their needs for bioinformatics/computational support to advance R01-based research in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases. Through this Request for Information (RFI), the NIDDK seeks information from the scientific community about specific bioinformatics and/or computational support that may be scarce or lacking, and that is needed to advance, translate, and accelerate research into causes and consequences of diabetes and other related endocrine or metabolic diseases. The information obtained will aid the NIDDK in future programming of resources to support the research community in these areas. More information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/1899
Oct. 28, 2019
NIH Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Pilot Projects Investigating Understudied G Protein-Coupled Receptors, Ion Channels, and Protein Kinases (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
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. Data collected and tools generated by these projects will enhance the overall goals of the IDG Program by demonstrating the quality and utility of IDG-generated data and reagents to 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. More information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-19-011.html
Oct. 31, 2019
NIH Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: New Paradigms in Tissue Communication-from mediators to metabolic function (RC2 Clinical Trials Optional)
NIDDK utilizes High Impact, Interdisciplinary Science (RC2) grants to support projects that will lay the foundation for new fields of investigation within the mission of NIDDK. The RC2 is envisioned to use an interdisciplinary approach to generate a research resource and/or foster discovery-based or hypothesis-generating science that can have a significant impact on the broader scientific community.
This targeted FOA specifically seeks to generate scientific advancements that are focused on identifying new signals and regulatory networks that mediate metabolic cross talks within and between organs that play a role in the development of diabetes and obesity. The interdisciplinary approaches proposed should be designed to foster novel synergies that will accelerate conceptual and technical breakthroughs in science related to metabolic tissue communication. More information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-18-886.html
