Key Dates

Related Announcements

• December 22, 2021- Stimulating Hematology Investigation: New Endeavors (SHINE) (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed). See NOFO PAS-22-096

Issued by

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

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Purpose

The NIDDK, NIA and NHLBI are pleased to jointly announce support for a newly emerging topic in the field of nonmalignant hematology research through the "Stimulating Hematology Investigation: New Endeavors (SHINE) (R01)" program (PAS-22-096). In the SHINE program, NIDDK invites investigator-initiated research project grant applications in specific areas of basic and translational hematology research where needs and opportunities for progress are particularly timely. Specific research topic areas supported by the SHINE program, as outlined below, will change over time and be updated annually through Notices published in the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts.

The SHINE program allows NIH Institutes and Centers (ICs) to maintain a flexible, pro-active role in supporting timely, high impact, leading edge research by the hematology research community.

New scientific knowledge to be achieved through research supported by the SHINE program will vary. In general, the knowledge gaps and research opportunities addressed by the SHINE program will include those that are defined and highlighted by IC-sponsored workshops and other public meetings.

The overall objectives of the SHINE program are to catalyze discoveries in basic molecular and cellular biology that provide new insights into the pathogenesis, prevention, detection, and potential treatment of disease, to attract new investigators into basic and translational hematology research, to promote productive interdisciplinary research collaborations, and to reinforce interactions and communication between NIH ICs and the hematology research community. Because research topics featured in the SHINE program will change over time, the program will be dynamic and reflect evolving frontiers of hematology research needs and opportunities.

The topic of "Modeling the Bone Marrow Microenvironment after Conditioning or in Nonmalignant Hematological Diseases" was informed by a workshop held on January 25, 2024. In light of recent trials for gene therapy using bone marrow transplant (BMT) for nonmalignant hematological diseases (such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia), it was concluded that the effect of conditioning on the bone marrow microenvironment in these patients was poorly understood, and there were limited animal models that could be used to study this effect. For an agenda and a full listing of topics discussed, please click here. Relevant research questions for this new SHINE topic can include, but are not limited to:

• How is the architecture/physical structure/cellular makeup of the bone marrow environment affected by the underlying nonmalignant hematological disease?  By standard myeloablative BMT conditioning such as Busulfan or irradiation? By nonmyeloablative conditioning such as antibody-mediated conditioning? By the combination of these situations? Does interaction of the underlying disease with the type of conditioning cause different immune pathways to be activated?
• What are the mechanisms of regeneration and repair after conditioning? After gene therapy for nonmalignant hematological diseases? Do these mechanisms affect HSC function, such as renewal or mobilization, especially in normal or “corrected” HSCs that are transplanted after conditioning?
• What are the dynamics/interactions between niche components, Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs), and Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells (HSPCs) in nonmalignant hematological diseases, and how do they change after conditioning?
• What specific animal models are needed to study these questions? Which specific components need to be compared between human and these animal models in order to better inform what happens in patients (i.e.receptor-ligand mapping, endothelial, vascular, and other BM microenvironment cellular subset distribution)?
• What do these models have in common? Are there common immune pathways that are activated in the bone marrow microenvironment across multiple diseases? Or does there need to be a unique model for each disease?

Relevant research for this new SHINE topic should not include clinical trials. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIDDK, NIA or NHLBI Scientific/Research staff to discuss plans for preparation of an R01 application.

With the publication of this Notice, the following SHINE-eligible topics are encouraged:

• Metabolic Modulators of Hematopoiesis. See NOT-DK-17-002
• Remodeling the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche. NOT-DK-17-016
• Biology of Erythrocyte Maturation. NOT-DK-18-020
• Hematopoietic Response to Stress. NOT-DK-19-028.
• Modeling the Bone Marrow Microenvironment after Conditioning or in Nonmalignant Hematological Diseases- NOT-DK-24-028.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIDDK, NIA or NHLBI Scientific/Research staff to discuss plans for preparation of an R01 application.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Shilpa Hattangadi, M.D.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-594-7726
Email: [email protected]

Cindy N. Roy, Ph.D.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Telephone: 301-594-8805
Email: [email protected]

Brian Bai, Ph.D.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Telephone: 301-827-5212
Email: [email protected]

John P. Williams, Ph.D.
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Telephone: 301-496-6403
Email: [email protected]