Beta Cell Biology Consortium.The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases About NIDDK The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, conducts and supports research on many of the most serious diseases affecting public health. (NIDDK NIDDK National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases ) is seeking applications to establish a Beta Cell beta cell n. 1. Any of the basophilic chromophil cells located in the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. 2. Any of the insulin-producing cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Also called B cell. Biology Consortium for the purpose of intensifying investigator-initiated research; attracting new investigators into the field; encouraging interdisciplinary approaches to research in this area; fostering the application of basic research to generate new research tools and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of diabetes; and establishing a comprehensive database for the beta cell. Through the consortium, individual Beta Cell Biology Programs will have access to information, resources, technologies, expertise, and reagents that are beyond the scope of any single research effort. One of the goals of this request for applications is to build upon the foundation of the ongoing Functional Genomics of the Developing Pancreas Consortium through the initiation of a series of complementary projects to further understand the function of the beta cell, and to generate reagents and assays needed for the development of novel cellular therapies for diabetes. In addition to the Functional Genomics of the Developing Pancreas Consortium, major scientific advances and technologic breakthroughs in basic disciplines such as developmental biology Developmental biology A large field of investigation that includes the study of all changes associated with an organism as it progresses through the life cycle. The life cycles of all multicellular organisms exhibit many similarities. , stem cell stem cell In living organisms, an undifferentiated cell that can produce other cells that eventually make up specialized tissues and organs. There are two major types of stem cells, embryonic and adult. biology, mouse genetics, imaging, bioengineering, and bioinformatics demand that a multifaceted, interdisciplinary, coordinated, collaborative approach on several fronts be utilized to generate key reagents, assays, and new strategies for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of type 1 and type 2 diabetes type 2 diabetes n. See diabetes mellitus. . The NIDDK will fund as components of the Beta Cell Biology Consortium approximately five Beta Cell Biology Program applications, each supporting a multidisciplinary team. A Beta Cell Biology Program could consist of several collaborating investigators representing one or more institutions. Each program, consisting of at least three projects and one or more cores, must address at least two of the six targeted scientific areas: 1) beta cell development, 2) prospective identification and purification of pancreatic stem/progenitor cells, 3) development of clonogenic assays for evaluating potential stem cells stem cells, unspecialized human or animal cells that can produce mature specialized body cells and at the same time replicate themselves. Embryonic stem cells are derived from a blastocyst (the blastula typical of placental mammals; see embryo), which is very young , 4) evaluation of pancreatic islets pancreatic islets Islets of Langerhans Anatomy Clusters of cells in the pancreas that form the endocrine portion and secrete insulin and glucagon for transplantation, 5) functional imaging of the beta cell, and 6) cell culture modeling of the human pancreatic beta cell. Each program must include a plan that addresses the need for data coordination within the consortium. Each program will be in the general form of a program project, composed of several projects and one or more cores relating to the overall theme of the program. The NIDDK plans to commit up to $7.25 million in FY 2001 to fund approximately five new awards for Beta Cell Biology Programs. It is anticipated that an additional $500,000 in direct costs per year will be used to establish a bioinformatics coordinating center in FY 2002. An applicant may request a project period of up to five years. The award for each program will be limited to $1 million in direct costs per year. The number of awards to be made is dependent on the receipt of a sufficient number of applications of high scientific merit and on the availability of funds. Prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent by 16 March 2001, with final applications due 17 April 2001. More information is available on the Internet at http://grants.nih.gov/ grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-DK-01-014.html. Contact: Sheryl M. Sato, Program Coordinator, Cellular Basis of Metabolic Diseases, DDEM, NIDDK, 2 Democracy Plaza, Room 6105, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, MSC (1) (MSC.Software Corporation, Santa Ana, CA, www.mscsoftware.com) Founded in 1963 by Richard H. MacNeal and Robert G. Schwendler, MSC is the world's largest provider of mechanical computer aided engineering (MCAE) strategies, simulation software and services. 5460, Bethesda, MD 20892-5460 USA, 301-594-8811, fax: 301-480-3503, e-mail ss68z@nih.gov. Reference: RFA RFA right frontoanterior (position of the fetus). Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) A procedure in which radiofrequency waves are used to destroy blood vessels and tissues. Mentioned in: Prenatal Surgery No. DK-01-014 |
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