Methods to Improve Reproducibility of Human iPSC Derivation, Growth and Differentiation (SBIR) (R44 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Funding Agency:
National Institutes of Health

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have been used with great success to mimic the differentiation of a variety of tissues, understand early development and study human diseases. Despite approaches that have made the derivation, growth and differentiation of iPSCs more efficient, there remains significant variability in reprogramming efficacy, genomic integrity and developmental potential of iPSCs derived from a single fibroblast or tissue sample. Thus, iPSCs derived from the same sample may differ in their in vitro growth characteristics and their ability to re-differentiate into the desired tissue type. A variety of issues may affect derivation of the iPSCs and their growth, stability and differentiation, including the specific characteristics of the starting cell or tissue sample (e.g., age of donor, tissue type and anatomical location, physiological and disease state), the methods and protocols used to induce pluripotency (e.g., transcription factors, small molecules, cell fusion), the choice of growth factors and other culture conditions, method of storage of cell lines, etc. Further challenges include growing and maintaining sufficient quantities of iPSC lines in culture without changes in their properties, as well as the ability of multiple investigators to identify and authenticate iPSC lines as part of their research. 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.

 

Application Due Date(s): January 6, 2020

RFA-GM-19-001 Expiration Date January 7, 2020

Agency Website

Eligibility Requirements

Only United States small business concerns (SBCs) are eligible to submit applications for this opportunity.

Amount Description

 

Funding Type

Grant

Eligibility

Faculty

Category

Engineering and Physical Sciences
Environmental & Life Sciences
Medical
Medical - Basic Science
Medical - Translational

External Deadline

January 6, 2020