Notice Number: NOT-DK-15-011

Key Dates
Release Date: April 1, 2015

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

Purpose

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

1) The NIDDK SHINE program (PAS-13-031) has set aside approximately $700,000 to make approximately 2 - 3 awards in addition to those funded in accordance with NIDDK FY2016 funding policy (see: http://www.niddk.nih.gov/research-funding/process/award-funding-policy/Pages/award-funding-policy.aspx). These funds will be used for highly meritorious applications received in response to PAS-13-031 in the specific scientific areas mentioned below.

2) As announced with the inauguration of the SHINE program (in PAS-10-046, the predecessor to PAS-13-031), specific topic areas will change periodically to meet timely needs and opportunities for hematology research progress and will be announced via a Notice in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts. Applicants are encouraged to contact NIDDK Scientific/Research staff to discuss plans for preparation of an R01 application.

3) With the publication of this NOTICE, the following SHINE topics are encouraged:

• Biology and Pathophysiology of Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS). For more details, see NOT-DK-11-004.
• Regulatory Determinants of Hematopoietic Stem Cell fate. See: NOT-DK-12-007.
• Role of Noncoding RNA in Hematopoiesis. See: NOT-DK-14-001.
• Role of Macrophages in Blood Cell Development. See next paragraph.

4) The topic of "Macrophages in Blood Cell Development" was added as a research objective for the SHINE program. This addition was based, in part, on the response to an NIDDK-sponsored workshop on February 20, 2015. Click here to view the agenda. Relevant research goals include, but are not limited to:

• What are the roles for macrophages in regulating hematopoietic stem cell and erythroblast proliferation and differentiation?
• What microenvironmental signals influence the quality, phenotype, or function of macrophages?
• What is the role of macrophages in iron and nutrient recycling in support of erythropoiesis?
• Do macrophages have different functions during ontological development? For example, in mammals, what are the essential functions of macrophages in yolk sac, fetal liver and bone marrow?

Inquiries

Please direct inquiries regarding Iron; Heme Biosynthesis; and Terminal Erythropoiesis to:
Cindy N. Roy, Ph.D.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-594-8805
Email: [email protected]