NIGMS, along with 11 other NIH institutes and centers, is seeking Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) applications to develop methods that improve the reproducibility of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derivation, growth, and differentiation (RFA-GM-19-001). Human iPSCs are mature cells that have been reprogrammed to an embryonic stem cell-like state and are able to differentiate into any cell type in the body. iPSCs are increasingly important research systems with a wide variety of applications, including studies of human development, tissue regeneration and repair, disease processes, and the development of new therapeutics. iPSCs and other regenerative technologies also have potential to transform clinical practice by creating living, functional tissues to repair or replace tissues or organs lost due to age, disease, damage, or congenital defects. Realizing the full potential of human iPSCs for both research and clinical practice has been limited by the significant variability in reprogramming efficiency, differentiation potential, and cell growth and stability. This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will support SBIR projects to develop novel, reliable, and cost-effective methods to standardize and increase the utility and reproducibility of iPSCs at all stages, from their derivation to their research and clinical applications.
This FOA builds on NIGMS’ interest in enhancing reproducibility in cell culture, and is one of a number of initiatives planned by many NIH institutes, centers, and offices to support research to develop and validate experimental human tissue models that do not rely on human fetal tissue. Applications assigned to NIGMS should be within our mission and focus on understanding the principles, mechanisms, and processes that underlie living organisms (not specific diseases, organ systems, stages of life, or populations). The other participating NIH institutes and centers each have their own areas of interest, as described in the FOA.
The application deadline is January 6, 2020. Applicants may request up to $375,000 per year in total costs. More details can be found in the FOA. Please contact me if you have any additional questions.