Events in April, 2021

Apr. 06, 2021

2021 Penn IDOM Spring Symposium

The Penn Institute for Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism (IDOM) presents its 2021 Spring Symposium at 10:30 am - 5:00 pm EST. Virtual electronic posters to be presented via BlueJeans and judged by our esteemed panel of guest judges. The day will culminate with the Kroc Lecture which will be delivered by Lori Sussel, Ph.D., Professor, Pediatrics and Cell & Developmental Biology. 

More Information: https://www.med.upenn.edu/idom/Kroc21/index.html 

Apr. 06, 2021 

Illuminating the Druggable Genome e-Symposium Series: Ion Channels

Invited speaker: Dr. Srinivas Niranj Chandrasekaran, PhD, Broad Institute, “Accelerating drug discovery with the power of microscopy”.

IDG speaker: Dr. Stefan Feske, MD, New York University School of Medicine, “Identification of novel ion channels and transporters in immune cells”.

Register at link below. Webinar April 6, 2021 9:00AM PDT.

More Information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/idg-e-symposium-series-april-20-2021-registration-149345423181?aff=erelexpmlt 

Apr. 09, 2021 

Virtual Network of Minority Health Research Investigators Annual Workshop Registration Due Date

More than 700 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. Registration Deadline: April 9, 2021. Virtual Workshop April 28-30th 2021.

More Information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2021/virtual-nmri-annual-meeting-2021 

Apr. 09, 2021 

dkNET Webinar: A Novel Multi-Omics Data Integration System For Phenotype Prediction Of Diabetes

Omics techniques (e.g., i.e., transcriptomics, genomics, and epigenomics) report quantitative measures of more than tens of thousands of biological features and provide a more comprehensive molecular perspective of studied diabetes mechanisms compared to transitional approaches. Identifying representative molecular signatures from the tremendous number of biological features becomes a central problem in utilizing the data for clinical decision-making. Exploring the complex causal relations of the identified representative molecular signatures and diabetes phenotypes can be the most effective and efficient ways to improve the understanding of diabetes and assess the cause of diabetes for the new patients with already collected data influencing (e.g., TEDDY project). However, due to the unavoidable patient heterogeneity, statistical randomness, and experimental noise in the high-dimension, low-sample-size omics data of the diabetic patients, utilizing the available data for clinical decision-making remains an ongoing challenge for many researchers. To overcome the limitations, in this study we developed (1) a generative adversarial network (GAN)-based model to generate synthetic omics data for the samples with few omics profiles available; (2) a deep learning-based fusion network model for phenotype prediction of type-1 diabetes; (3) a long short-term memory (LSTM)-based model for predicting outcomes of islet autoantibody and persistent positivity. The models are tested on the multi-omics data in TEDDY project. Presenter: Wei Zhang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science & Genomics and Bioinformatics Cluster, University of Central Florida. Webinar April 9, 2021 11:00am PDT.

More Information: https://dknet.org/about/blog/2235

Apr. 12-16, 2021 

LIPID MAPS Conference: Spring School

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. Conference April 12-16, 2021. 

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

Apr. 13-14, 2021

NHGRI Genomic Data Science Working Group Virtual Workshop: Machine Learning in Genomics

The primary purpose of the workshop is to stimulate discussion around the opportunities and obstacles underlying the application of machine learning (ML) methods to basic genome sciences and genomic medicine, to define the key scientific topic areas in genomics that could benefit from ML analyses and NHGRI’s unique role at the convergence of genomic and ML research. The data-intensive fields of genomics and ML are in an early stage of convergence. This workshop will include a combination of lectures from ML, genomics, and ethics researchers with substantial time set aside for virtual Q&A sessions in which all attendees, irrespective of expertise and background, are encouraged to participate. Topics of interest within genomics cover the full spectrum of basic and clinical research. The workshop will also focus on the ethical aspects of ML applications to genomics data. ML scientists without any connection to genomics are as welcome to join as those already applying their analytical methods to genomic data. Conference April 13-14, 2021. 

More Information: https://www.genome.gov/event-calendar/Machine-Learning-in-Genomics-Tools-Resources-Clinical-Applications-and-Ethics 

Apr. 14, 2021 

CFDE Portal Demo Webinar

Are you interested in Common Fund data? Come see a 1-hour pop-up demo of newly released CFDE Data Portal that allows you to search across data from HuBMAP, Kids First Data Resource Center, Metabolomics, LINCS, exRNA, GTEx, and HMP from a single website!

Register at the link below. Webinar April 14, 2021 at 11:00am PDT. 

More Information: https://www.nih-cfde.org/events/cfde-portal-demo/?pk_campaign=tr

Apr. 14, 2021 

Diabetes Research Centers Virtual Seminar Series: COVID-19 Panel: Spotlight on Healthcare Disparities, Diabetes Care, and Vaccine Distribution

The Virtual Diabetes Research Center Seminar Series began as an effort to connect investigators and trainees during this time of great change and isolation related to the COVID crisis.

Speakers: William Parker, MD, MS, University of Chicago,  “COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Disparities”;

Monica Peek, MD, MPH, MS, FACP, University of Chicago, “Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the COVID-19 Pandemic”; 

Kamlesh Khunti, MD, PhD, FRCP, FRCGP, FMedSci, University of Leicester, “COVID-19 and Its Impact in People with Diabetes”; Register at link below. Webinar April 14, 2021 at 11:00am PDT. 

More Information: https://diabetes-virtual-seminar.org/

Apr. 15-16, 2021 

Insulin 100 Scientific Symposium: University of Toronto's Discovery of Insulin 100th Anniversary

The Scientific Symposium will provide comprehensive updates on the latest advances in diabetes treatment and management through a series of online educational sessions and live, online, panel discussions with the experts. Educational sessions will include the latest information on the management of diabetes and its complications, practical tips and proven strategies for improving patient care, and translation of the latest diabetes research into clinical practice. These sessions will be recorded for posterity and retained on the Scientific Symposium website as an educational repository for long term access referencing. Conference April 15-16, 2021. 

More Information: https://insulin100.com/

Apr. 15, 2021 

8th Helmholtz Diabetes Conference Abstract Submission Due Date

For the 8th time, the Helmholtz Zentrum München is organizing this high-impact conference series. Internationally leading scientists in diabetes research are joining us here in Munich to present and discuss their most recent data and achievements during this event. This year, 12 abstracts will be selected to give a presentation at our Flash Talk Session, to provide a unique opportunity for  highly-qualified young researchers to exchange with experts on their projects. The first and second best presentations will receive a prize, sponsored by Molecular Metabolism. Abstract Submission Deadline: April 15, 2021. Conference May 10-12, 2021. 

More Information: https://www.hd-conference.com/about/abstract-submission/index.html

Apr. 16, 2021 

Request for Proposals: ASBCB Omics Codeathon

The National Institutes of Health Office of Data Science Strategy, in partnership with the African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (ASBCB(link is external)), is pleased to announce a virtual omics-focused codeathon on June 3-6, 2021. The codeathon will take place immediately preceding the ISCB-Africa ASBCB Conference on Bioinformatics June 7-10, 2021, in Central Africa Time (CAT). Application Deadline: April 16, 2021.

More Information: https://datascience.nih.gov/news/request-for-proposals-asbcb-omics-codeathon 

Apr. 21, 2021 

RDCA-DAP Professional Webinar Series: Value of Integrated Data and Analytics in Rare Disease Drug Development

The Rare Disease Cures Accelerator–Data and Analytics Platform is launching a new webinar series with the goal of sharing with the community examples of the use of rare disease person-level data in drug development and regulatory decision making. The series will feature 1-hour webinars highlighting analyses that have been done in individual disease areas, how they informed drug development, and how similar approaches could be applied to common drug development issues encountered in rare diseases. After each presentation time will be allowed for discussion with a panel of quantitative and regulatory experts around why the solutions presented were informative, lessons learned and how similar approaches could be applied to related problems. April 21: RDCA-DAP®: the data interrogator–how to sort, find an integrate data and develop an analysis dataset. Example disease: Friedreich's ataxia. Webinar April 21, 2021 at 8:00am PDT. 

More Information: https://criticalpath.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do

Apr. 22, 2021 

NIDDK Workshop Webinar Registration Due Date: Understanding Risk and Causal Mechanisms for Developing Obesity in Infants and Young Children

Obesity in children continues to increase and to be a major public health problem, with the prevalence among youth ages to 2–19 years estimated to be nearly 20 percent. Racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence remain significant, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children having higher rates of obesity than non-Hispanic White children. Children from families of low socioeconomic status also are disproportionately affected. (...)

The overall goal of this trans-NIH workshop is to accelerate research to better characterize early-life risk factors and determine underlying causal mechanisms through which these factors contribute to the development of obesity during childhood. Workshop: April 29-30th 2021.

More Information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2021/think-tank-meeting

Apr. 22-23, 2021 

NIDDK K Awardees' Workshop

The purpose of the workshop is to offer NIDDK career development awardees as in-depth view of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), NIDDK and the grant review process. The workshop will provide an opportunity to become familiar with the roles of various staff, the types of grant support and resources available, and the inner workings of the peer review system. Senior investigators from the NIDDK research community will provide grant-writing tips and career advice. There will be ample time for questions and answers during the 2-day workshop. An abstract book will be provided to encourage networking among attendees, and to provide easy access to NIH staff contact information. Registration Deadline: April 14, 2021. Workshop: April 22-23, 2021. 

More Information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2021/k-awardees-workshop

More Information: https://commonfund.nih.gov/healthdisparitiestransformation/meetings

Apr. 27-30, 2021 

Experimental Biology 2021 *Meet the dkNET Team at Our Virtual Booth!

Experimental Biology is going virtual April 27-30th 2021. With this year’s registration rates discounted by up to 40%, attendance will give you access to thousands of presentations on ground-breaking research in anatomy, biochemistry, molecular biology, investigative pathology, pharmacology, and physiology. And networking opportunities at EB 2021 will allow you to get valuable feedback on https://commonfund.nih.gov/healthdisparitiestransformation/meetings research and grow your network in the life sciences. Meet the dkNET team at our virtual booth NIDDK Information Network(dkNET) to learn funding opportunities, student summer internship program, dkNET services and tools and more!

More information: https://experimentalbiology.org/2021/home.aspx

Apr. 28-30, 2021

Virtual Network of Minority Health Research Investigators Annual Workshop

More than 700 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.

More Information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2021/virtual-nmri-annual-meeting-2021    

Apr. 28, 2021 

HIRN Webinar: From Donation to Automation: The Ins and Outs of High-Throughput Islet Cell Culture

Learn about (1) How islets can be used for high-density applications, (e.g. chemical screening) (2) Hear about new efforts to use whole islets in high-throughput culture (3) Discuss the advantages and disadvantages to each of these methods (4) Get tips on how to apply these methods in your own lab! Presented by: Bridget Wagner, Broad Institute. Webinar April 28, 2021 at 11:00am PDT.

More Information: https://cityofhope.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJElde2vqj4pEt2zN0jZ8VM9jW7gAF8qdqw1

Apr. 28-29, 2021 

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Workshop: Changing the Culture of Data Management and Sharing

This two-day virtual workshop will explore challenges and opportunities for researchers, institutions, and funders in establishing effective data management and sharing practices. Workshop presentations and discussions may examine strategies, resources, and promising practices for developing and evaluating data management and sharing plans. Participants may also discuss how researchers can effectively share scientific data over the course of the data life cycle.

Potential topics include: (1) Overarching strategies for managing and sharing data (2) Assessing the value of shared data (3) Monitoring and evaluating data management and sharing practices (4) Educational and resource needs for responsible data sharing. Workshop April 28-29 2021 at 11:00am-3:45pm ET.

More Information: https://www.nationalacademies.org/event/04-29-2021/changing-the-culture-of-data-management-and-sharing-a-workshop#sectionContact 

Apr. 29-30, 2021 

NIDDK Workshop Webinar: Understanding Risk and Causal Mechanisms for Developing Obesity in Infants and Young Children

Obesity in children continues to increase and to be a major public health problem, with the prevalence among youth ages to 2–19 years estimated to be nearly 20 percent. Racial and ethnic disparities in prevalence remain significant, with non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic children having higher rates of obesity than non-Hispanic White children. Children from families of low socioeconomic status also are disproportionately affected. (...)

The overall goal of this trans-NIH workshop is to accelerate research to better characterize early-life risk factors and determine underlying causal mechanisms through which these factors contribute to the development of obesity during childhood.

Registration Deadline: April 22nd 2021. Workshop: April 29-30 2021.

More Information: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/news/meetings-workshops/2021/think-tank-meeting 

Funding opportunities information and deadlines in April, 2021

Apr. 06, 2021 

NIH Funding Opportunity Application Due: Nutrition for Precision Health, powered by the All of Us Research Program: Research Coordinating Center (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this FOA is to invite applications for a Research Coordinating Center (RCC) to join the Nutrition for Precision Health consortium (https://commonfund.nih.gov/nutritionforprecisionhealth). The overall goals of the RCC are to provide administrative management and general coordination across the Nutrition for Precision Health consortium; facilitate the development and implementation of dietary intervention and assessment studies across the consortium; and manage relevant data. The RCC selected will work collaboratively, as part of the Nutrition for Precision Health consortium, to develop and implement research protocols and manage data sharing workflows. The RCC must also serve as a key partner with the All of Us Research Program, since it is anticipated that all participants enrolled in the Nutrition for Precision Health dietary studies will be participants in the All of Us Research Program, and all Nutrition for Precision Health data will be shared via the All of Us Researcher Workbench. The end products of the Nutrition for Precision Health consortium will be a rich data resource for research use and algorithms to improve the precision of nutrition advice for individuals.Letter of Intent due 30 days prior to the application due date. Application deadline: April 6, 2021.

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-21-006.html

Apr. 08, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Bioinformatics Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Fellowship in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (F32) Application Due Date

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to enable promising postdoctoral fellows to obtain interdisciplinary training from outstanding faculty sponsors in bioinformatics and scientific research relevant to the mission of NIDDK's Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DDEMD).  This training will require mentorship in both bioinformatics and metabolic disease disciplines.  In order to advance bioinformatics science and encourage its application to these diseases and disorders, NIDDK invites applications from individuals with novel individual development plans (IDP).  The fellowship training plan should focus on interdisciplinary approaches and mentorship among data or computer science and medicine in topics related to diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases. Application Deadline: April 8 2021.

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-19-379.html  

Apr. 08, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Bioinformatics Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Fellowship in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (F31) Application Due Date

This funding opportunity is to enable promising predoctoral fellows to obtain interdisciplinary training during the dissertation phase of their training from outstanding faculty sponsors in bioinformatics and scientific research relevant to the mission of NIDDK's Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (DDEMD).  This training will require mentorship in both bioinformatics and metabolic disease disciplines.  In order to advance bioinformatics science and encourage its application to these diseases and disorders, NIDDK invites applications from individuals with novel individual development plans (IDP).  The fellowship training plan should focus on interdisciplinary approaches and mentorship among data or computer science and medicine in topics related to diabetes, endocrinology and metabolic diseases.This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) does not allow applicants to propose to lead an independent clinical trial, but does allow applicants to propose research experience in a clinical trial led by a sponsor or co-sponsor. Application Deadline: April 8, 2021. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-19-378.html

Apr. 09, 2021 

NIH Data Scholars Application Due Date: NIH Data and Technology Advancement (DATA) National Service Scholar Program

The Office of Data Science Strategy (ODSS) NIH Data and Technology Advancement (DATA) National Service Scholar Program (DATA Scholars) is now accepting applications for the 2021 cohort. This is an excellent opportunity for mid-career data and computer scientists and engineers to tackle challenging biomedical data problems with the potential for substantial public health impact. Scholars engage with NIH experts, top researchers and industry partners. 

Application Deadline: April 9, 2021 11:59 p.m. ET

More Information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2222

Apr. 09, 2021 (Deadline Extended to May. 7, 2021)

dkNET Internship Application Due Date: 2021 dkNET Summer of Data Student Internship

To support researchers with the use of on-line resources, the 6-week dkNET Summer of Data Student Internship program provides students an opportunity to utilize the dkNET tools and resources in a research project and to provide feedback on their experience to the dkNET team. Students will learn best practices to enhance rigor and reproducibility and learn the basics of good data management by following the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. dkNET will award a $1,000 scholarship to a limited number of high school, undergraduate or graduate (Masters or PhD) students who are working in a research lab during summer 2021. Awards will be determined by a competitive selection process. Application Deadline: April 9, 2021. 

More Information: https://dknet.org/about/Summer-Internship 

Apr. 12, 2021 

NIH Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of the NIH Research Conference Grant (R13) is to support high quality conferences that are relevant to the public health and to the scientific mission of the participating Institutes and Centers. Application Deadline: April 12, 2021. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-21-151.html

Apr. 16, 2021 

DiaComp Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: 2021 DiaComp Pilot & Feasibility Program

The NIDDK-sponsored Diabetic Complications Consortium (DiaComp) is soliciting applications for its annual Pilot and Feasibility Program .This program aims to support discovery (hypothesis generating) and innovative (high-risk/high-reward) research that will advance our understanding of diabetic complications and that are increasingly difficult to support through standard NIH mechanisms. Basic, translational and clinical research proposals are encouraged. When appropriate, the use of human samples is strongly encouraged. Application Deadline: April 16, 2021. 

More Information: https://mailchi.mp/aab8f1eae1f5/diacomp2020-2541458 

Apr. 20, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Letter of Intent Due Date: Diabetes Research Centers (P30 Clinical Trial Optional)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for Diabetes Research Centers that are designed to support and enhance the national research effort in diabetes, its complications, and related endocrine and metabolic diseases.  Diabetes Research Centers support two primary research-related activities:  Research Core services and a Pilot and Feasibility (P and F) program.  All activities pursued by Diabetes Research Centers are designed to enhance the efficiency, productivity, effectiveness, and multidisciplinary nature of research in Diabetes Research Center topic areas.  The NIDDK Diabetes Research Centers program in 2020 consists of 16 Centers each located at outstanding research institutions with documented programs of excellence in diabetes-related research.  General information about the NIDDK Diabetes Research Centers program may be found at www.diabetescenters.org. Letter of Intent Deadline: April 20, 2021. Application Deadline: May 20, 2021. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-20-025.html

Apr. 22, 2021 

NIDDK Funding Opportunity Application Due Date: Biomarkers for Diabetic Foot Ulcers through the Diabetic Foot Consortium (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The purpose of this Funding Opportunity Announcement is to promote the development of prognostic, monitoring, and diagnostic biomarkers for diabetic foot ulcers that can be used in clinical trials and patient care. This initiative will support early analytical and clinical validation of biomarkers through a phased award to encourage innovative research. The initiative will leverage the resources of the Diabetic Foot Consortium to facilitate the access to well-characterized patients and high-quality human samples. The goal of this initiative is to deliver candidate biomarkers that are ready for definitive analytical and clinical validation studies through the Diabetic Foot Consortium. Letter of Intent Deadline: March 22, 2021. Application Deadline: April 22, 2021. 

More Information: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/rfa-dk-21-001.html

Apr. 30, 2021 

NIH Request for Information Due Date: Challenges and Opportunities in Understanding Cellular Senescence and Senolytics

The NIH has published three RFAs (RFA-RM-21-008; RFA-RM-21-009; RFA-RM-21-010) in January 2021 to develop 3D cellular senescence maps of healthy human tissues and to develop novel tools and technologies to address the role of senescent cells in human health and disease. While these human maps are the ultimate goal, much research in biomedicine is performed in mice, and extrapolation of the findings to human health requires a detailed understanding of both the similarities and the differences between these species. Ultimately, bidirectional crosstalk between findings in human and mouse, combined with the ability to test the effects of experimental perturbation in mice, will more fully inform the role of cellular senescence in health and disease and the consequences of interventions targeting this process. Therefore, as a follow up to the human RFAs, we would like to focus efforts on a similar and complementary goal in mice. As part of the initial planning process, we are requesting input from the scientific community on the challenges in this field that can best be addressed through a concerted and coordinated effort. Rolling Application accepted until April 30, 2021. 

More Information: https://dknet.org/about/dknetnews/2238