NHLBI Small Business Innovation Research Funding Opportunity Fosters Production of Blood Cells From Stem Cells

ASH is pleased to see the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s (NHLBI) continuous support (RFA-HL-15-030) for the development of improved techniques to enhance the production of clinically-relevant, functional stem cell-derived red blood cells or platelets. ASH previously submitted recommendations to the NHLBI on this topic in 2014 and called for research support for: 1) the development of new isolation techniques, culture technologies and techniques monitoring efficacy and efficiency of stem cell-derived blood products; and 2) the improvement of molecular imaging techniques that will further advance the knowledge on the functionality of these products. This opportunity will also help foster research in stem cell and regenerative medicine which is one of ASH’s research priorities.