Notice Number: NOT-DK-14-001

Key Dates
Release Date: November 4, 2013

Issued by
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

Purpose

NIDDK is pleased to announce additional funding and expansion of research objectives for PAS-13-031 "Stimulating Hematology Investigation: New Endeavors (SHINE) (R01)". This Notice provides three updates to the SHINE program:

1) The NIDDK SHINE program (PAS-13-031) has set aside approximately $500,000 to make approximately 2 awards in addition to those funded in accordance with NIDDK FY2014 funding policies. These funds will be used for highly meritorious applications received in response to PAS-13-031 in one of the four scientific areas mentioned below in 3).

2) A new research objective for the SHINE program is the "Role of Noncoding RNAs in Hematopoiesis". R01 applications requesting support for this research topic will now be accepted under PAS-13-031.

The additional research topic was informed by response to an NIDDK-sponsored workshop on August 30, 2013. See http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/News/Calendar/LNS2013.htm to view the agenda of topics discussed. Applications that propose to uncover mechanisms of how noncoding RNA impacts hematopoiesis will be considered for funding, but general genomic studies of noncoding RNA will not be considered for funding. Applicants are encouraged to contact NIDDK to discuss their plans before applying. Research goals to be addressed include, but are not limited to:

• Defining biological function of a noncoding RNA (or a class of noncoding RNAs) during hematopoiesis. This may include relationships to the cell cycle. Development of assays to test biological function of noncoding RNAs.
• Identifying, characterizing and testing mechanisms of function, including structure-function studies to define interactions of proteins with noncoding RNAs (RNPs) in hematopoiesis.
• Elucidating how the synthesis, regulation of expression, processing and turnover of long noncoding RNA impacts its function.
• Determination of the roles of noncoding RNAs (both long and short/micro) in blood diseases. Development of the use of noncoding RNAs in diagnostics and therapeutics.

3) As announced in the inauguration of the SHINE program (PAS-10-046, the predecessor of PAS-13-031), specific topic areas will change over time to meet timely needs and opportunities for hematology research progress. Eligible SHINE topics are:

• Biology and Pathophysiology of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). For more details, see: NOT-DK-11-004.
• Stress Erythropoiesis. For scientific objectives and more details, see: NOT-DK-12-004.
• Regulatory Determinants of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Fate. See: NOT-DK-12-007.
• Role of Noncoding RNA in Hematopoiesis. This Notice.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Terry Rogers Bishop, Ph.D.
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: (301) 594-7726 or Cell: (240) 481-1347
Email: tb232j@nih.gov
Website: http://www2.niddk.nih.gov/