Engineering Improved Stem Cell-Derived Islet Cells for Replacement Therapies

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications for research on understanding how to engineer inherent characteristics of stem cell-derived islet cell products that can result in improved cell replacement therapy outcomes. Unlike cadaveric human islets, stem cell-derived islet cell products are generated from well-defined and highly controlled cell bank sources. Their banking, manufacturing, and quality control processes can be used to instill optimized cell characteristics resulting in more resilient and durable graft viability and function. This funding opportunity will aim to stimulate studies on targets and pathways amenable to such engineering approaches and to encourage preclinical testing and validation of such strategies. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO will utilize the R01 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of stem cell-derived islet cell replacement therapies are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO. In addition, collaborative investigations combining expertise in stem cell and islet biology, transplant immunology, and type 1 diabetes autoimmunity and preclinical models will be encouraged and these investigators should also begin considering applying for this application.