dkNET community events and announcements in February, 2021

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 News

• dkNET Webinar Series
• Upcoming webinars: Save the date! Join dkNET's next webinars:
•  ”nPOD Nanotomy: Large-Scale Electron Microscopy Database for Human Type 1 Diabetes”, presented by Dr. Ben N.G. Giepmans on Friday, Feb. 12  2021 at 11 am PST. Abstract and dial-in information: https://dknet.org/about/blog/2188
• “Population-Based Approaches to Investigate Endocrine Communication”, presented by Dr. Marcus Seldin on Friday, Feb. 26, 2021 at 11 am PST. Abstract and dial-in information: https://dknet.org/about/webinar
• The slides and recording of the webinar “FAIR Data & Software in the Research Life Cycle", presented by Christopher Erdmann, are now available to view. 

• Funding Opportunity - dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program in Bioinformatics
• Are you an early stage or new investigator seeking to apply computationally-intensive methods to diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases research? Check out dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program in Bioinformatics! Application Due Date: Feb. 26, 2021.

• New Preprint Released Congratulations! dkNET Principal Investigator Dr. Maryann Martone and collaborators Drs. Fiona Murphy and Michael Bar-Sinai released a new preprint "Alignment of biomedical data repositories with open, FAIR, citable and trust-worthy principles" in bioRxiv! Learn about this helpful new tool for evaluating how well repositories support Open, FAIR, Citable and Trustworthy (OFCT) data! https://dknet.org/about/blog/2190

• Join the dkNET Team! We're looking for a Community Liaison/Outreach Coordinator!dkNET has an open position for a Community Liaison to provide community outreach and lead engagement with the scientific community. This position will support a range of activities linked to community-dkNET partnerships, researcher engagement and knowledge networking. Apply it now and come join our team!

Events in February, 2021

Feb. 01-03, 2021

Keystone Symposia - Obesity: From Cell to Patient Symposium

This conference aims to gather the world leaders in obesity research and discuss numerous topics- from the cell to the patient- as they relate to obesity. Obesity is an annual topic for Keystone Symposia and is considered to be one of the most critical in the field and the previous Keystone Symposia conferences have been heavily focused on basic research. Therefore, this conference program particularly aims to address this gap by providing a greater balance with clinical/translational research on the program. Additionally, there are sessions that have a special focus on the gut/brain axis, including the microbiota, as there is emerging research in this area that has made transformational steps in our understanding of etiology of this disease, as well as in treatment. Moreover, there is strong evidence that the gut/brain axis is important not just for appetitive behavior but also energy homeostasis, blood glucose and even emotional state. Finally, this conference is being held jointly with the annual diabetes conference, Diabetes: Many Faces of the Disease, as there is obvious overlap in these fields. Therefore, the program will contain joint sessions and even a joint Keynote speaker. With this pairing, it is anticipated to draw the leaders in this field from around the world, as well as the next generation of future scientists. Connecting scientists in basic, transitional, clinical and pharmaceutical research will be crucial to moving the field forward.

More Information: https://virtual.keystonesymposia.org/ks/live/698/page/6258/?_ga=2.254338763.2121227955.1603951269-810827375.1596582099

Feb. 01-03, 2021 

Keystone Symposium - Diabetes: Many Faces of the Disease 

Diabetes is a growing health problem throughout the world; the incidence of both type 1 diabetes (T1D) or type 2 diabetes (T2D) are on the rise. With the advent of novel technologies, high throughput sequencing and clinical studies involving diverse human populations, there is a growing appreciation for the existence of sub-classifications of both T1D and T2D based on genetics and environmental influences. Understanding and characterizing the different diseases is critical to develop more effective personalized therapies. The goal of this meeting is to highlight traditional and novel aspects of diabetes research. For T1D, lectures on atypical forms of T1D, as well as the emerging premise that beta cell dysfunction contributes to progression of this autoimmune disease will be included. For T2D, lectures highlighting disease variations will be included that challenge the current dogma associated with genetic and environmental differences between individuals. The joint sessions with the Obesity meeting will highlight the contribution of obesity to T2D pathogenesis, with an emphasis on novel areas of research, including the role of different types and sources of fat, exosome signaling and the role of the microbiome. Finally, we will include two workshops, one combined with the Obesity meeting and one separate to highlight trainee research that is picked from abstracts. The program strives to raise awareness in the clinical and basic research communities about the need to sub-stratify diabetes to develop better treatment options.

More information: https://virtual.keystonesymposia.org/ks/live/698/page/6258/?_ga=2.9133618.601735231.1611368538-581550846.1606794407

Feb. 08, 2021 

Sphingolipids Biology Webinar: DEGS1 Activity is Pivotal for CNS Myelin Formation

Sphingolipids (SLs) are not only structural components of membranes, but also serve as important signaling molecules involved in a variety of cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Defects in sphingolipid metabolism predominantly affect the nervous system, which is highly enriched in SLs.Recently, ?4-dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (DEGS1) deficiency was identified as a novel cause for leukodystrophy in humans, and similar pathology was observed in DEGS1 deficient animal models. DES1 is a ?4-sphingoid base desaturase that converts dihydroCeramide to Ceramide. Although the connection between reduced DES1 activity and leukodystrophy is well established, the underlying pathomechanism is not yet understood. DES1 deficiency causes several metabolic effects including the accumulation of dihydroSLs (dhSLs), concomitant reduction of canonical SLs and the appearance of a new atypical and probably toxic ?14-sphingoid base. Here we dissected the impact of these factors on myelination in a genetically and pharmacologically accessible murine neuron-glia co-culture model. DES1 inhibition, by pharmacological inhibition (Fenretinide, GT11) or by siRNA resulted in a dose-dependent increase in dhSLs, a decrease in canonical SLs, and a concomitant reduction in myelination, whereas axon density was not affected. We further revealed that the reduction of canonical SLs by blocking de novo SL synthesis with myriocin had no obvious effect on myelination or axon density.In summary, we showed that increased dhSL levels was sufficient to prevent myelination in an in vitro model, suggesting that this is the mechanism that mediates hypomyelination in DEGS1-dependent leukodystrophy. Presenter: Gergely Karsai, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. 

More Information:https://www.sphingolipidbiology.com/speakers/gergely-karsai

Feb. 08, 2021 

Sphingolipids Biology Webinar: Studying Mood Disorders and Hippocampal Functioning with Lipidomic Approaches

Chronic stress is a major risk factor for brain disorders, such as depression, and affects the functioning of the hippocampus, a brain region relevant for learning and memory and emotional response. Since the brain is mainly composed of lipids, and since these molecules are relevant for various key cellular processes, these are likely altered in conditions that lead to brain regional dysfunction. Importantly, recent mass-spectrometry approaches allow the identification of functional and dysfunctional lipidomic signatures, and we have used these strategies to study the effects of chronic stress in the brain. Moreover, we studied the hippocampus at the subregional level along its longitudinal axis, since it was previously shown that the dorsal and ventral poles, in rodents, contribute differentially to stress and emotional responses. These lipidomic signatures allow the identification of candidate lipid signalling pathways and we are currently testing the impact of modulating these pathways with genetic rodent models at biochemical, functional and behavioural levels. Overall, the goal of these projects is to identify lipid pathways relevant for brain function and dysfunction with potential implications for the treatment and diagnosis of brain disorders, such as depression.Presenter: Tiago Gil Oliveira, ICVS, University of Minho, Portugal. 

More Information:https://www.sphingolipidbiology.com/speakers/tiago-gil-oliveira

Feb. 10, 2021 

Diabetes Research Centers Virtual Seminar Series: Diabetes and Heart Failure – Mitochondrial Mechanisms

The Diabetes Research Centers is holding a virtual seminar "Diabetes and Heart Failure – Mitochondrial Mechanisms," presented by E. Dale Abel MD, PhD. The seminar will consist of the following: (1)Review the epidemiology of heart failure in diabetes (2) Review cardiac metabolic adaptations to heart failure and diabetes (3) Review mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to the pathophysiology of heart failure in diabetes. 

More Information:https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2184 

Feb. 12, 2021 

dkNET Webinar - nPOD Nanotomy: Large-Scale Electron Microscopy Database For Human Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract: Imaging of macromolecules and organelles in the context of cells and tissues is challenging because of the different scales and big data sharing. High resolution imaging of ultrastructure using electron microscopy (EM) typically has a small field of view. Panorama EM views, which we name nanotomy (nano-anatomy), now cross orders of magnitude scales (http://www.nanotomy.org). The open-source sharing allows reuse of data for further analysis, e.g. of structures that were not the focus of the primary study. Nanotomy will likely become the future standard routine EM technique for tissue and cell imaging. In this talk I will highlight the technique and the recent database of nanotomy of human pancreas tissue obtained from the Network for Pancreatic Organ donors with Diabetes. Presenter: Ben N. G. Giepmans, PhD, Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences of Cells & Systems, UMC Groningen, The Netherlands.

More Information:https://dknet.org/about/blog/2188

Feb. 15, 2021 

Online Course: A guided tour through Cellosaurus

Cellosaurus is a cell line knowledge resource. It is a collection of all cell lines used in biomedical research, which includes immortalised, naturally immortal, finite life, vertebrate and invertebrate cell lines, among others. In this course, we will introduce you to the different data fields in Cellosaurus, their content and their usefulness, as well as the curation strategies we use to optimize the data acquisition and inclusion of accurate and up to date information. We will describe what you can actually do with the Cellosaurus on ExPASy (full text searches and STR similarity searches using CLASTR), the different formats that are currently available for download, and our future plans for content and tool developments. This course is addressed to both biologists making use of cell lines in their research activities and bioinformaticians wanting to get the most out of the data in the Cellosaurus.

More information: https://www.sib.swiss/training/course/2021-02-cellosaurus

Feb. 23, 2021 

LIPID MAPS Webinar: Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAM) and Phospholipid Import into Mitochondria

Presented by: Professor Jean Vance. 

More Information: https://www.lipidmaps.org/resources/tutorials/webinars/webinar/?code=lm_s2_jean_vance

Feb. 26, 2021 

dkNET Webinar: Population-Based Approaches To Investigate Endocrine Communication

Abstract: Mechanisms of inter-organ signaling have been established as hallmarks of nearly every pathophysiologic condition, where many exist as related and complex diseases. While significant work has been focused on understanding how individual cell types contribute and respond to specific perturbations related to common, complex disease, an equally-important but relatively less-explored question involves how relationships between organs are altered in the context of an integrated living organism. Current technical advances, such as proteomic analysis of plasma or conditioned media, have allowed for a more unbiased visualization and discovery of additional inter-tissue signaling molecules. However, one important feature which is lacking from these approaches is the ability to gain insight as to the function, mechanisms of action and target tissue(s) of relevant molecules. To begin to address these constraints, we initially developed a correlation-based bioinformatics framework which uses multi-tissue gene expression and/or proteomic data, as well as publicly available resources to statistically rank and functionally annotate endocrine proteins involved in tissue cross-talk. Using this approach, we identified many known and experimentally validated several novel inter-tissue circuits. This was this first study to directly link an endocrine-focused bioinformatics pipeline from population data directly to experimentally-validated mechanisms of inter-tissue communication. While these validations provide strong support for exploiting natural variation to discover new modes of communication, these serve as simple proof-of-principle studies and, thus, have promising potential for expansion. Some of these will be discussed during the presentation. Presenter: Marcus Seldin, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Biological Chemistry, University of California Irvine. 

More Information:https://dknet.org/about/webinar

Feb. 28, 2021 

LIPID MAPS Spring School Application Due Date

This Spring School will focus on theoretical and practical aspects of lipidomics, using state-of-the-art approaches. There will be a major focus on the underlying biology and biochemistry of lipids, including their roles in health and disease. There will be 20 + sessions over 5 days, topics include neutral lipids, fatty acids, eicosanoids, sphingolipids, sterols and bile acids. Program duration: April 12-16th 2021. 

More Information:https://springschool.lipidmaps.org/

Funding opportunities information and deadlines in February, 2021

Feb. 03, 2021

NIDDK Notice of Special Interest First Available Due Date: Administrative Supplements to Support Emerging Physician-Scientists to Develop Research Expertise in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases

The purpose of the NIDDK’s Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DDEMD) Administrative Supplement Program is to enable additional clinical perspectives to be brought to on-going research projects within the Division's mission and to enhance the research expertise of selected physicians.The program will provide supplementary funds to support advanced research opportunities for exceptional emerging physician-scientists (hereafter, "candidates") holding the MD or equivalent or MD/PhD degrees, and who are early in their research careers. The supplement is intended to allow candidates to expand their research experience to help them transition beyond their clinical training to the next stage of their research careers as physician-scientists. Administrative supplements must support work within the scope of a currently funded basic and/or clinical DDEMD research project. All applicants are strongly encouraged to discuss potential requests with the NIDDK DDEMD program director of the award for which they wish to submit a supplement application. See https://www.niddk.nih.gov/about-niddk/staff-directory/by-office/division-diabetes-endocrinology-metabolic-diseases for DDEMD program director contact information. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-dk-20-040.html

Feb. 03, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Understanding the Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Gastroparesis in Adults and Children (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Since its establishment in 2006, the Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium (GpCRC), a multi-center coalition created and funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has made major advances to our understanding of the pathophysiology of Gastroparesis (Gp). Through the establishment of the largest gastroparesis tissue repository in the United States, combined with detailed phenotypic data, the GpCRC is ideally suited to accelerate insights into the underlying cellular and molecular pathophysiology of the gastroparesis with the ultimate goal of developing therapeutic target(s).This RFA invites investigators from several disciplines, including basic and translational research in areas of neurosciences, immunology, microbiology and physiology, to contribute new insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms of Gastroparesis. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-20-030.html

Feb. 04, 2021 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Experimental Biology 2021

2021 Virtual Experimental Biology (EB) Conference is the annual meeting of five societies that explores the latest research in anatomy, biochemistry and molecular biology, investigative pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. Participants represent scientists from academic institutions, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and industry. The meeting features plenary lectures, workshops, symposia, posters presentations, on-site career services and exhibits spotlighting products and services integral to this professional community. 

More Information:https://submissions2.mirasmart.com/EB2021/login.aspx

Feb. 05, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: NIDDK High Risk Multi-Center Clinical Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Allowed)

This FOA invites applications for investigator-initiated, high-risk multi-center clinical trials involving more than one clinical center. Proposed trials should be hypothesis-driven, have the potential to change clinical practice and/or public health, and focus on a disease relevant to the mission of NIDDK. Planning activities must be completed prior to submission and are not permitted under this FOA. Applicants who require a planning phase may first apply for an implementation planning cooperative agreement (U34; see PAR-21-101).Consultation with NIDDK Scientific/Research staff is strongly encouraged prior to the submission of either a U34 or U01 application. Letter of Intent Due Date: 30 days prior to application due date.

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/par-21-102.html

Feb. 05, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: NIDDK High Risk Multi-Center Clinical Study Cooperative Agreement (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This FOA invites applications for investigator-initiated, high-risk multi-center observational studies involving more than one clinical center. Proposed studies should be hypothesis-driven and focus on a disease relevant to the mission of NIDDK. Planning activities must be completed prior to submission and are not permitted under this FOA. Applicants who require a planning phase may first apply for an implementation planning cooperative agreement (U34; see PAR-21-101). Consultation with NIDDK Scientific/Research staff is strongly encouraged prior to the submission of either a U34 or U01 application.Letter of Intent Due Date: 30 days prior to application due date. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/par-21-103.html

Feb. 05, 2021 

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) First Available Due Date: Academy of Finland (AKA) – National Institutes of Health (NIH) Partnership Program

The purpose of this Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) is to alert the community about this opportunity and disseminate knowledge and information on a program designed to foster the expansion of U.S.-Finland biomedical and behavioral research collaboration.The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Academy of Finland (AKA), Finland are establishing the AKA-NIH Partnership Program.The AKA-NIH Partnership Program seeks to encourage increased collaborative research between investigators in the U.S. and Finland. This is to be facilitated through the submission of grant applications from U.S. institutions that include collaboration with Finnish investigators selected by AKA to participate in the joint research program. NIH will support the project through regular investigator-initiated NIH application processes and review. AKA will fully fund Finnish investigators on collaborative grant applications that are selected for funding by participating NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) while NIH will fund the U.S. component. Research areas AKA may support through this program are described in AKA’s Finnish Research Flagships (https://www.aka.fi/en/research-funding/programmes-and-other-funding-schemes/flagship-programme/) and need to align with research areas that fall clearly within the missions of participating NIH ICs. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-od-21-021.html

Feb. 08, 2021 

NIH Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Cellular Senescence Network: Consortium Organization and Data Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) invites applications for the Consortium Organization and Data Coordinating Center (CODCC) of the Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet) consortium. The goal of SenNet is to identify and functionally characterize the heterogeneity of senescent cells across multiple tissues in human health, and lifespan at single-cell resolution. The CODCC will serve as the organizational hub for SenNet collecting, storing, curating, and disseminating all data, metadata, analysis and visualization tools, computational models, and aggregate data across the Network into a searchable Atlas of Cellular Senescence; ensure the utility of the database; and promote collaboration through Network engagement with the research community. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-010.html

Feb. 08, 2021 

NIH Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Cellular Senescence Network: Technology Development and Application (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to solicit novel analytics and technologies to identify senescent cells in human tissues This FOA supports the accelerated proof-of-principle demonstration and validation of promising tools, techniques and methods that can be integrated, scaled and applied to multiple human tissues. The initial two-year UG3 phase will support the development and demonstration of feasibility of these emerging technologies in the identification and mapping of senescent cells in mammalian tissues. The subsequent UH3 phase is to support initial validation in human tissues, optimization and scale-up, and generation of production level data. Investigators responding to this FOA must submit both UG3 and UH3 projects as part of a single application. UG3 projects that have met their quantifiable milestones will be administratively considered by NIH staff and prioritized for transition to the UH3 phase, depending on the availability of funds. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-009.html

Feb. 08, 2021 

NIH Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Cellular Senescence Network: Tissue Mapping Centers (U54 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to establish state-of-the-art Tissue Mapping Centers (TMCs) to work within the Cellular Senescence Network (SenNet). The goal of the SenNet consortium is to identify and functionally characterize the heterogeneity of senescent cells across multiple tissues in human health, disease, and lifespan at single-cell resolution. Through collaborative efforts, the consortium will generate a multimodal, multidimensional Atlas of senescent cells in various human tissues; develop innovative tools and technologies to identify and characterize senescent cells; and aggregate data across the Network into a searchable Atlas of Cellular Senescence, ensure the utility of the database, and promote collaboration through Network engagement with the research community. The TMCs solicited through this RFA will generate the high-resolution, high-content, multiscale biomarkers and maps of cellular senescence across the lifespan and physiological states necessary to generate the Senescence Atlas. The SenNet is focused on healthy human tissues, and work in diseased tissue or animal models is acceptable only as long as it is used to support this overall goal. TMCs will be expected to integrate and optimize all parts of the data generation pipeline, from tissue collection and preservation through analyses at organ, tissue and single cell level using omics, imaging and other approaches, to data integration, analysis and interpretation. 

More Information:  https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-008.html

Feb. 15, 2021

IIDP Islet Award Initiative Application Due Date

The IIDP Islet Award Initiative is intended to advance research in human islet biology by facilitating the ability of researchers to access human islets for high impact and novel research studies. The number of IIDP Islet Awards funded under this initiative will be determined in any single year based on available resources but will average 3-4 awards per submission date. 

More Information:https://iidp.coh.org/Investigators/Islet-Award-Initiative

Feb. 15, 2021 

Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) Application Due Date: Encourage Eligible NIH HEAL Initiative Awardees to Apply for PA-20-222: Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NIH has a strong interest in the diversity of the NIH-funded research enterprise (see NIH notice NOT-OD-20-031) and encourages institutions to diversify their scientific workforce by increasing the participation of individuals from groups identified as underrepresented in the biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and social sciences. Participating institutes continue to support these efforts through ongoing programs and supplement funding opportunities. This specific notice reiterates this interest and encourages eligible grant and cooperative agreement awardees in the HEAL Initiative community to apply for administrative supplements in response to PA-20-222 (or any subsequent reissuances), Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed). This notice is part of the NIH’s Helping to End Addiction Long-term (HEAL) Initiative to speed scientific solutions to the national opioid public health crisis. The NIH HEAL Initiative is a trans-NIH effort to (1) improve prevention and treatment strategies for opioid misuse and addiction and (2) enhance pain management. More information about the HEAL Initiative is available at: https://heal.nih.gov/.

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-ns-20-107.html

Feb. 16, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity: Secondary Analyses in Obesity, Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Application Due Date

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages R21 applications that propose to conduct secondary analyses of existing data sets relevant to diabetes and selected endocrine and metabolic diseases including thyroid, parathyroid and Cushing’s diseases and acromegaly; and genetic metabolic disease including cystic fibrosis, lysosomal storage diseases, and disorders of the urea cycle, amino acid metabolism and metal transport where the focus is on peripheral metabolism or organ function; obesity, liver diseases, alimentary GI tract diseases and nutrition; kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. The goal of this program is to facilitate research that explores innovative hypotheses through the use of existing data sets or data, for which the primary goal is data analysis and not preparation/presentation of data. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-18-741.html

Feb. 18, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Exploratory Centers for Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (P20 Clinical Trial Optional)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to seek applications for Exploratory Centers for Interdisciplinary Research in Benign Urology (P20).  A major goal of this program is to build interdisciplinary research teams. The program seeks innovative, high-risk–high-reward Research Projects that utilize integrative approaches to address questions relevant to benign genitourinary diseases or disorders bringing together investigators with complementary expertise. Studies involving human subjects or tissues and small, innovative, pilot and feasibility clinical studies are encouraged. The following expertise must be included in the proposed Research Project: 1) researchers new to the investigation of benign genitourinary diseases or disorders and 2) clinical urology expertise. Additional expertise may also be included, as needed. In addition to the scientific Research Project, each Exploratory Center must include an Administrative Core with an Educational Enrichment Program. As part of the NIDDK's efforts to expand and enhance benign urology research and the base of urologic researchers, the Exploratory Centers Program will work in partnership with the George M. O'Brien Urology Cooperative Research Centers Program (U54), the Urology Centers Program Interactions Core (U24), and the Multidisciplinary K12 Urologic Research (KURe and UroEpi) Career Development Programs. 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-20-033.html

Feb. 18, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP) - Atlas Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) requests applications for GUDMAP Atlas Projects to generate data for the GUDMAP database. The scope of Atlas Projects is limited to molecular and anatomical development of human and mouse (1) lower urinary tract, including ureters, bladder, urethra, prostate, and external male genitalia; and (2) kidney and lower urinary tract vasculature, nerves, and lymphatics.The GUDMAP Atlas Projects will be part of the GUDMAP consortium which was established to generate a molecular anatomy atlas of the developing mouse and human kidney and lower urinary tract. The GUDMAP consortium is expected to be a continuing resource for the research community and its long-term objective is to establish a comprehensive understanding of kidney and lower urinary tract development and maturation to inform the study of tissue maturation and aging, organ dysgenesis and disease, and ultimately organ repair and regeneration. A separate FOA seeks applications for the Data Hub (RFA-DK-20-014). 

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-20-013.html

Feb. 18, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Reconfiguration of GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP) /(Re)Building A Kidney (RBK) Data Hub (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement invites applications for a consolidated Data Hub for the GenitoUrinary Development Molecular Anatomy Project (GUDMAP) and the (Re)Building a Kidney (RBK) consortium. The GUDMAP/RBK Data Hub will have both scientific and administrative responsibilities, including the operation of a searchable web-based data repository. The Data Hub will implement FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles and have appropriate domain expertise, such as in bioinformatics, website and software development, biocuration and ontology development (including specific expertise in appropriate organ anatomy and physiology), and workshop planning and administration. The Data Hub will also oversee an Opportunity Pool Program that will allow the consortium to proactively adapt to a changing scientific landscape and identify gaps within the RBK and GUDMAP consortia.

More Information:https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-20-014.html

Feb. 26, 2021 

dkNET Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program in Bioinformatics

This pilot program, through the NIDDK Information Network (dkNET), is designed to encourage new investigators to develop and apply innovative bioinformatics approaches to important research problems in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DEMD). The dkNET New Investigator Pilot Program is designed to: (i) facilitate the ability of Early Stage and New Investigators with computational and bioinformatics expertise to pursue research questions in DEMD, or (ii) allow Early Stage and New PIs currently pursuing DEMD-related research to explore incorporating computational, mathematical, statistical, and/or bioinformatics approaches into their research projects.

More Information:https://dknet.org/about/new-investigator-pilot