Scott and Heidi Schuster Research Grant in Transplantation Immunology and Tolerance
On behalf of Scott and Heidi Schuster, The National Kidney Foundation of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont (NKF MA/RI/NH/VT) announces the application process for a new award entitled The Scott and Heidi Schuster Research Grant in Transplantation Immunology and Tolerance, which will provide seed money specifically earmarked for a collaborative effort in islet transplantation and tolerance. This grant will consist of a total of $375,000. This is a one-time award. Additional awards at the discretion of the grantor may follow.

Due Date and Process Timeframe: Applications are due June 1, 2007.

The intent of this award is to foster research that will promote transitional basic research to clinical islet transplantation with the goal of achieving tolerance through a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional consortium that would be poised to go forward and obtain additional funding following this award. Thus, the consortium funded by this award must include a group of investigators with a far-reaching plan and demonstrated expertise in the area proposed. Individual laboratories or institutions will not fulfill the spirit of this grant, which is collaborative. The grant award will be announced no later than on July 1, 2007.

Background

Though new immunosuppressive agents and protocols have lowered the rate of acute rejection and chronic rejection in transplantation, long-term clinical outcomes are adversely affected by immunosuppressive agents. The adverse effects of such agents greatly impact the longevity of transplanted organs and tissues. Substantial recent work has focused on the possibility of inducing donor-specific tolerance, which, if it can be developed and maintained, offers the prospect of long-term graft survival free of immunosuppressive therapy and its inherent problems.

Diabetes is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease as well as multi-organ failure. Studies that involve islet transplantation would be particularly ideal, as replacing pancreatic function would potentially cure diabetes. In this regard, finding methods to create transplant tolerance is particularly important because it would facilitate permanent survival of a transplant (islets or whole organs) without requiring chronic immunosuppression.

Those applying for this grant should have support to focus on immunology and tolerance. The application should be both to support a consortium with evidence that the proposed work will provide work that leads to proof of concept studies, provides safety and toxicity data and results in projects that delineate underlying mechanisms and viable markers of immune responsiveness relevant to the induction, maintenance [as well as loss of tolerance].

Scope of the Award and Eligibility

Proposals may address broadly the topic of transplantation immunology and tolerance and may concern islet transplantation, renal transplantation, transplantation of other organs and general transplant biology. Applications that focus on islet transplantation are particularly preferred. Potential areas include:

The grant proposal should explain how the center will facilitate several important collaborative aims:

1. The proposed collaborative center should explain how it will be a world-class facility that will serve as a focal point for collaborative efforts in transplantation tolerance and that will facilitate

a. Novel pilot trials aimed at demonstrating tolerance.

b. Novel ways of managing post-transplant monitoring, including biomarkers and imaging.

2. The proposed center should develop a plan by which future funding will be obtained and sustained.

3. The proposed center should encourage basic translational research at the bench and in animal models that will be able to be transferred to clinical trials in as rapid a fashion as possible.

Additional Information:

Download the application.

For further information, call or email:

The National Kidney Foundation of MA, RI, NH & VT

85 Astor Avenue, Suite 2 Norwood, MA 02062

T: 1.781.278.0222 F: 1.781.278.0333

asavisky@kidneyhealth.org

 

Please forward your completed application to:

The National Kidney Foundation of MA, RI, NH & VT

85 Astor Avenue, Suite 2 Norwood, MA 02062