Download PCBC Cell Characterization Core - NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology

5/13/10
** Clarification – Characterization plans should be limited to human cells only**
NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium - Cell Characterization Core
Background
The mission of the NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium is to develop improved
understanding of the biology of stem and progenitor cells, and to harness this knowledge for the
diagnosis and treatment of heart, lung, and blood diseases. The Consortium comprises nine
multidisciplinary virtual Research Hubs supported by an Administrative Coordinating Center.
Research directions for the Consortium include: 1) identifying and characterizing progenitor cell
lines; 2) directing the differentiation of stem and progenitor cells to desired fates; and 3)
developing new strategies to address the unique challenges presented by the transplantation of
these cells.
Cell Characterization Core
In order to foster synergy and ensure comparability of cell lines being used across the
Consortium, NHLBI is establishing a Cell Characterization Core. Proposals should outline a plan
for characterizing embryonic stem cells and iPS cells derived in different laboratories using
different reprogramming protocols. Analyses to be performed should include (at a minimum):
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Real time PCR for a defined panel of markers
Expression profiling
Epigenetic analysis
Flow cytometric analysis for a defined panel of antigens
Karyotype analysis
Functional analysis – differentiation potential
In addition, applicants should include a plan for characterization of hematopoietic and
cardiovascular cells derived by differentiation of embryonic stem cells and iPS cells, including
comparison to adult cells derived from normal tissue. Analyses to be performed should include
(at a minimum):
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Real time PCR for a defined panel of markers
Flow cytometric analysis for a defined panel of antigens
Expression profiling
In vitro functional assays;
o Colony-forming cell assays for hematopoietic cells, e.g., CFC (myeloid), and
lymphocyte potential
o Matrigel tube formation assay for endothelial cell function
o Electrophysiology for cardiomyocytes
For all analyses, a justification of the chosen analytes should be provided, along with sensitivity,
specificity and quality control specifications as appropriate.
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Applications should include an estimate of the number of cell lines that the Core would be
capable of characterizing with the budget provided. It is anticipated that when the Consortium
identifies appropriate candidate pulmonary cells obtained by progenitor differentiation, the Core
will also be responsible for characterization of these cells.
Applications should also include a bioinformatics component to analyze and organize the data,
and disseminate information to the Consortium and to the scientific community. The data
generated by the Core will be the property of the PCBC investigators.
Requirements
The initial funding period for the Cell Characterization Core will be 2 years; the needs of the
Consortium will then be reviewed to determine whether funding should be extended or new
cores funded. The total direct cost for Cell Characterization Core applications should not exceed
$500,000 direct costs per year for 2 years. Principal Investigators from domestic institutions
should include the accurate institutional facilities and administrative rate in their application;
international institutions should include a facilities and administrative rate of 8% in their budgets.
All recipients of these funds will be required to sign an agreement that outlines rules for the
sharing of information and reagents before any funds will be disbursed. Recipients will also be
required to participate in PCBC Steering Committee meetings and to attend the annual meeting
of the PCBC.
Eligibility
Applications for funding as the NHLBI PCBC Cell Characterization Core may come from a
single institution or from a collaboration of investigators leveraging expertise from multiple
institutions for different components of the Core. The lead institution for the application must be
domestic; international institutions may be included as secondary participants. Applicants for
funding as the NHLBI PCBC Cell Characterization Core may be current participants in the
NHLBI PCBC, or outside investigators; for a multi-institution application a combination of
internal and external institutions is permissible. PI and collaborator salary support is permitted.
At the conclusion of the first year of funding and at the conclusion of the funded activity, the PI
must submit to the PCBC Administrative Coordinating Center a Progress Report that includes a
description of activities, outcomes, and an assessment of success in meeting the stated
objectives.
Application process
Review and funding procedure
Applications should include the following information:
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Plan for cell characterization (limited to 5 pages single spaced, using font size as
specified for the SF 424 application)
Budget – (detailed budget for initial budget period and budget for entire proposed budget
period using the PHS 398 budget forms)
Budget justification
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Description of facilities, resources and equipment available to perform the proposed
work
Biographical sketches for key personnel
Applications will be reviewed by a panel consisting of external experts and NHLBI intramural
staff scientists. The review criteria are:
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Appropriateness of the scope of work proposed
Expertise of the investigators
Adequacy of the facilities to perform the proposed work
Strength of the Bioinformatics component and the data dissemination plan
Funding for the Cell Characterization Core will be provided via a subcontract from the NHLBI
PCBC Administrative Coordinating Center at the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Preparing and submitting an application
The mechanism of this award will be a cost reimbursement subaward from the NHLBI
Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium (PCBC) Administrative Coordinating Center (ACC) at the
University of Maryland Baltimore under its Cooperative Agreement with the National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). Base budgets on a September 1, 2010, start date. Only one
award is expected. The subaward will require compliance with the NIH Grants Policy Statement
and all other applicable federal regulations including the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)
Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. Terms regarding the sharing of data
and reagents will be consistent with the NIH Data Sharing Policy and NIH Principles and
Guidelines for the Sharing of Research Resources. At the conclusion of the first year of funding
and at the conclusion of the funded activity, the PI must submit to the PCBC Administrative
Coordinating Center a Progress Report that includes a description of activities, outcomes, and
an assessment of success in meeting the stated objectives.
Applications should be prepared using PHS398 application forms (Face Page, Biosketch,
Budget and Budget Justification etc.). If the proposal involves more than one Project
Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) or consortium arrangements, a Multiple PD/PI plan or
consortium plan, as applicable, must be included. The contact PI must be specified in the
Multiple PD/PI plan and with contact information on the Face Page. The title (NHLBI Progenitor
Cell Biology Consortium -- Cell Characterization Core) and RFP number (RFP PCBC 2010-01)
must appear on the Face Page of the application. Applications must include a D&B Data
Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
The Principal Investigator or an acceptable delegate of the Cell Characterization Core must be
available to attend annual PCBC meetings (next on October 21/22, 2010 in Seattle,
Washington) and participate as requested in quarterly conference calls. All data and metadata must be provided to the PCBC through the secure document management resources of
the PCBC web site which the PCBC ACC will train Cell Characterization Core staff to use.
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All proposals must be sent on paper (hard copy) to the NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology
Consortium Administrative Coordinating Center, and must be received by the close of business
(5:00 p.m., EDT) on June 15, 2010, or postmarked by an acceptable overnight courier (e.g.,
Express Delivery U.S. Mail, Federal Express) before the close of business on June 14, 2010.
Send an original and five copies of the application for an NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology
Consortium Cell Characterization Core to:
Michael L. Terrin, MD, CM, MPH
Principal Investigator,
NHLBI Progenitor Cell Biology Consortium Administrative Coordinating Center
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine
Howard Hall Suite 200
660 W. Redwood Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21201.
Questions concerning submission of proposals for the Cell Characterization Core should be
submitted in writing to Dr. Terrin by email ([email protected]) or FAX (410-706-6139).
Dr. Terrin may be contacted at (410) 706-6139.
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