Office of Research

NextGen Tissue Chip Testing Centers: Validating Microphysiological Systems (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) invites applications for NextGen Tissue Chip Testing Center(s) (NextGen TCTC) that will provide resources and infrastructure for the validation of tissue chips being developed as part of the NIH Tissue Chip (TC) for Drug Screening Program or NIH Microphysiological Systems (MPS) Program. The MPS program supports a consortium of investigators developing accurate cellular and organ microsystems representative of human physiology for the evaluation of drug efficacy and toxicity (RFA-RM-11-022; RFA-TR-16-017; RFA-TR-16-019).  The developed in vitro MPS platforms are representative of major organs and tissues in the human body, and need to be validated for their predictive capabilities of the assessment of biomarkers, and the bioavailability, efficacy, and toxicity of therapeutic agents prior to entry into clinical trials.  Validation of the tissue chips is currently being conducted through Tissue Chip Testing Centers. These are responsible for testing a select group of compounds using predefined assays and biomarkers, according to pharmaceutical industry standards, and the integration of the data into a public database. NextGen TCTC(s) will aim to accelerate the transition of NIH-supported research innovations and technologies toward a self-sustaining model to continue the validation of various MPS platforms. NextGen TCTC(s) will develop services that promote the use of MPS by industry, regulatory bodies, and biotech sectors, and create significant value and economic stimulus or, advance the research in MPS technology in a way that could stimulate future growth and investments, and advance drug discovery and development. This U24 is intended to support research and development (R&D) specifically targeted at activities that can help address the funding gap between promising R&D and transitioning to the market, often called the “Valley of Death” by contributing the critical funding needed by applicants to pursue the next appropriate milestone(s) toward commercialization; and to foster partnerships among a variety of research and development (R&D) collaborators working toward these aims.     

Application Instructions

Please submit:

  1. a one-page letter of intent with a description of proposed aims and approach
  2. Biosketch or CV of the PI
  3. A letter of support from the Dean or Chair. This letter of support signifies that the Dean or Chair have ensured that the nominee and application are likely to be of sufficient quality to be competitive nationally

 

to research@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Thursday February 8, 2018. Proposals are due to the sponsor 3/21/18, so you will need to have your materials in to OSP by 3/13/18 for processing, if given the go-ahead by the review committee.

Opportunity Details

Program web page

Program Announcement No.

RFA-TR-18-006

Deadlines
02/08/2018 UW Internal Deadline Closed
03/13/2018 OSP Deadline
03/21/2018 Sponsor Deadline
Sponsor

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Funding amount

$2,000,000

Maximum Number of Applications

1

Eligible groups
  • All campus

Inquiries and Contact Information

Investigators who identify a grant, award or fellowship program that restricts the number of applications that can be submitted from an Institution should immediately contact their Chairperson, Associate Dean for Research (or Dean, if no ADR) and the Office of Research (see below) if they intend to prepare a response. Failure to do so, or to meet the deadlines for submission of pre-proposal, will preclude submission of the application through the Office of Sponsored Programs.

For general inquiries, or to request a listing of a limited submission opportunity that should be but is not already listed, please email us at limitedsubs@uw.edu.