http://www.betacell.org/news/ News and Events of the Beta Cell Biology Consortium Fri, 09 May 2008 21:14:00 +0000 en-us Copyright 2008, Beta Cell Biology Consortium http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=81 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=81 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0000 The 2008 EMBO conference, “The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Regeneration and Tissue Repair”, aims to bring together top-level researchers in the fields of regeneration, tissue repair, stem cells, and wound healing in an interactive and multi-disciplinary series of meetings. Major questions covered by the meeting will include: How is the identity of cells in adult tissue maintained and how are they then reprogrammed or reactivated after injury to elicit regeneration? What factors subsequently influence cell fate choice during regeneration? What are the molecular distinctions between dedifferentiation, a process observed during salamander regeneration and liver regeneration, compared to activation of reserve cells as observed during regeneration in hydra and planaria, as well as muscle and skin regeneration in mammals? What mechanisms are responsible for patterning of tissues during regeneration? More information is available at the EMBO conference web page.   Please direct your questions about this event to the conference organizers. (Source: http://cwp.embo.org/cfs2-08-01/). . . . http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=79 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=79 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0000 The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is hosting a workshop on April 21-22, 2008, entitled “Diabetes Genes and Beta Cell Function: How can we assemble the puzzle?”. This meeting will showcase: Newly discovered risk loci for type 2 diabetes, Specific beta cell functions and pathways potentially influenced by these genes, and Linkage of genes conferring risk to the clinical progression of diabetes. The overall goal of this event is to share results from this rapidly evolving field and identify new strategies that enable an integrated correlation of at-risk loci with sub-optimal beta cell functioning. For more information, see the workshop website: http://www3.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/DiabetesGenes/index.htm or contact Michael Appel, Ph.D., at 301-594-4740 or appelm@niddk.nih.gov.. . . . http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=78 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=78 Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:00:00 +0000 We are pleased to announce through a cooperative effort the availability to academic investigators of 117 replication-deficient recombinant adenoviruses that were generated and characterized in the laboratory of Chris Newgard at the Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center at Duke University. This collection contains both over-expression and RNAi constructs that can be used in various studies of pancreatic beta cell function and development.  Access the Adenovirus Collection to view publicly-released constructs and obtain general information.  For questions about the collection, please contact Tom Becker. To maximize the value of this resource we encourage use the “Community Feedback” form at the bottom of each construct’s page.  Your comments will be beneficial since both positive and negative experiences are helpful not only to those using these reagents but also to those providing them. For information about this announcement, please contact Kim Cornwell at the BCBC Coordinating Center. Christopher B. Newgard, Ph.D. Director, Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center Duke University Thomas C. http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=76 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=76 Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0000 The JDRF Center for Beta Cell Therapy in Diabetes is pleased to announce a special training course entitled "Strategies in Directed Differentiation of ES Cells into Mature Cell Types for Therapy" that will be held in Gentofte, Denmark on May 28-30, 2008. The course is being organized by Ole D. Madsen, Henrik Semb and Ernest Arenas, with support from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the European Union. The course is targeted to young investigators and PhD students whose research activity concerns developmental biology, stem cell biology, or the cell biology of diabetes. The objective of the course is to teach participants (i) current knowledge of the control of the state of pluripotency, including differences and similarities between mouse and human ES cells (ii) understanding fetal developmental biology of target organs/cell types in order to (iii) define translational strategies to control ES-cell differentiation towards therapeutic cells of interest in vitro. http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=75 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=75 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0000 The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) has just announced the release of two new funding opportunities in the area of beta cell biology. Biomarkers in Type 1 Diabetes and its Complications At least $10 Million/year available. EOIs are due March 5, 2008. Download PDF | JDRF Website The JDRF has an unprecedented opportunity to make progress in the discovery and validation of biomarkers in Type 1 diabetes and its complications. At least $10 Million per year will be available for this initiative, which will accommodate a variety of grant mechanisms. Duration of support will in general not exceed 3 years. Research objectives include but are not limited to: Biomarkers of autoimmunity in type 1 diabetes Biomarkers that indicate beta cell mass and function Biomarkers for complications of diabetes Expressions of Interest are being solicited to provide advice about the most appropriate grant mechanism. Applicants are strongly advised to consult with JDRF Program Staff to discuss the responsiveness of their proposal to this program. http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=73 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=73 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 US Congress has passed a one year extension to the Special Diabetes Program. This action will allocate $150 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to fund critical research towards finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes. The Special Diabetes Program, created in 1997, consists of two parts: 1) research funding for Type 1 diabetes and treatment and 2) education programs for Native American populations. Extension of the Special Diabetes Program by Congress is the result of advocacy campaigns by groups such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and American Diabetes Association (ADA). http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=72 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=72 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0000 The Beta Cell Biology Consortium (BCBC) has released several improvements to the genomic resources of the BCBC, which reflect the joint efforts of both the Vanderbilt University informatics and University of Pennsylvania bioinformatics groups. New features and data include: Additional Functional Genomic Studies. Four new islet biology studies and 18 DGAP studies are now available. T-cell Mediated B-cell Damage and Repair in NOD Mice Innocuous vs. Destructive Insulinitis Neurogenin3 Deficiency and Embryonic Pancreatic Gene Expression Human Tissue Survey from Massively Parallel Signature Sequencing (MPSS) Comparison Profiles. http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=71 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=71 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0000 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released a new funding opportunity entitled the Type 1 Diabetes Pathfinder Award. This Request for Application (RFA) was developed as part of the Strategic Plan for Type 1 Diabetes Research and is supported by the Special Statutory Program for Type 1 Diabetes Research. This RFA is intended to support exceptionally creative new investigators who propose innovative research projects that have the potential for high impact in Type 1 diabetes. Grants will be supported with the NIH T1D Special Funds with all five years of support awarded in 2008. http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=70 http://www.betacell.org/news/index.php?view=70 Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0000 The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has released six new funding opportunities in the area of Epigenetics and Epigenomics, under the "Roadmap Epigenomics Program." Follow the links below to review the details of the Request for Applications (RFA). RFA-RM-07-011: Technology Development in Epigenetics (R01) RFA-RM-07-012: Technology Development in Epigenetics (R21) RFA-RM-07-013: Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers (U01) RFA-RM-07-014: Epigenomics Data Analysis and Coordination Center – EDACC (U01) RFA-RM-07-015: Discovery of Novel Epigenetic Marks in Mammalian Cells (R01) RFA-RM-07-016: Discovery of Novel Epigenetic Marks in Mammalian Cells (R21) For additional information regarding these RFAs, visit the Roadmap Epigenomics Program Website. Technical Assistance Workshop Interested applicants can obtain additional information and assistance by participating in a Technical Assistance Workshop hosted by the NIH. Applicants can participate by attending the workshop in person, or by videocast or teleconference. The Technical Assistance Workshop will be held at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, on Friday, December 7, 2007, from 1:00-4:00 pm. The workshop will provide interested applicants the opportunity to discuss and clarify any issues related to the Roadmap Epigenomics RFAs with NIH staff. The meeting will include an overview of the Roadmap Epigenomics Program, presentations on the six funding opportunities, an open discussion and a question and answer session addressing RFA-related questions. Applicants are encouraged to register and submit questions in advance of the workshop by sending an email to epigenomics@nih.gov and providing your name, institution, address, phone and e-mail address, and stating whether you will be attending in person, or by videocast or teleconference.