*August 26, 2021*

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The *NIAMS Update* is produced and distributed by the NIAMS Science Communications and Outreach Branch. It is an online resource for the NIAMS Coalition, Council, and Colleagues.

## News

#### **Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Funding Plan (Updated August 18, 2021)**

The NIAMS is operating under the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The NIAMS FY 2021 Enacted Level is $634,292,000.

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#### COVID-19 Updates

Get the latest public health information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the latest funding opportunities and research news from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Additional news and resources include:
                    - More Genetic Clues to COVID-19 Susceptibility and Severity  (NIH Director’s Blog)
                    - Experimental Vaccine Protects Against Multiple Coronaviruses  (NIH Research Matters)
                    - More Than 1.5 Million Children Lost a Primary or Secondary Caregiver Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic  (NIH News Release)
                    - NIH Researchers Identify Potential New Antiviral Drug for COVID-19  (NIH News Release)
                    - U.S. Surgeon General Issues Advisory During COVID-19 Vaccination Push Warning American Public About Threat of Health Misinformation  (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [HHS])
                    - Biden-Harris Administration Provides $121 Million in American Rescue Plan Funds to Support Local Community-Based Efforts to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in Underserved Communities  (HHS)
                    - HHS and the U.S. Department of Justice Issue Guidance on “Long COVID” and Disability Rights Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504, and Section 1557  (HHS)

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#### **Immune Boost Fights Antibiotic-Resistant Infections in Mice**

A research team funded by the NIAMS and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) demonstrated the effectiveness of a drug called a pan-caspase inhibitor. This drug blocks molecules in the body called caspases. These molecules are important in telling cells when to start the body’s natural recycling process and die. The drug was helpful in reducing the size of skin wounds (healing) and stopping the spread of bacteria into the bodies of mice. While further study is needed, the findings suggest that caspase inhibition could be a valuable alternative to antibiotics for treating certain infections.

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#### **NIH Director’s Blog: *How to Heal Skin Without the Scars***

Working with mice, NIH-supported researchers have learned how to reprogram skin cells in a wound to respond to injuries more like fetal skin cells do—thoroughly patching up wounds, regrowing hair, glands, and other skin structures, all without leaving a scar.

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#### **NIEHS: *Autoimmunity May Be Rising in the United States***

A group of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) researchers has shown that autoimmunity appears to be increasing in the United States.

 

 

 

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#### **Strengthening Research on Fracture Prevention Drugs**

In this post on the *Inside NIA* blog, Dr. Lyndon Joseph, Health Science Administrator at the NIH’s National Institute on Aging (NIA), highlights the health concerns of falls and fractures. He mentions NIH collaboration, research gaps on prescriptions, and funding to help fight fractures.

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#### ****FDA Consumer Update: *Biosimilar and Interchangeable Biologics—More Treatment Choices*****

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved biosimilar medications to treat conditions such as cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and more. But what are biosimilar and interchangeable biosimilar biological medications? Find out more. (Also available en español.)

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#### ****FDA Approves New Treatment for Pompe Disease****

The FDA approved Nexviazyme (avalglucosidase alfa-ngpt) for intravenous infusion to treat patients 1 year of age and older with late-onset Pompe disease.

## **Funding Opportunities**

#### ****Supplements to Advance Research (STAR) From Projects to Programs (Admin Supp - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)** (NOT-AR-22-003)**

The STAR Program will provide investigators an opportunity to be innovative and explore high-risk ideas within the NIAMS mission to facilitate the transition from a project to program. Eligible investigators will have successfully renewed their first NIAMS-supported R01 awarded with Early Stage Investigator status, and they also must not have held more than two R01-equivalent grants. Application due date: November 4, 2021.

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#### ****Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): *Research to Address Vaccine Hesitancy, Uptake, and Implementation Among Populations That Experience Health Disparities****(NOT-MD-21-008)***

Application due date: January 8, 2022

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#### ****Limited Competition: *Promoting a Basic Understanding of Chemical Threats to Skin (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)****(PAS-21-245)***

Application due dates: October 16, 2021, and February 16, 2022

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#### ****Leveraging Existing Large Databases and Cohorts to Better Understand the Risks and Benefits of Long-Term Osteoporosis Therapy and Drug Holiday (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)** (RFA-AG-22-018)**

Application due date: October 28, 2021

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#### ****Helping to End Addiction Long-termSM (HEAL) Initiative: *Planning Studies for Initial Analgesic Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)****(RFA-NS-21-029)***

Multiple due dates

## **Resources**

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#### **Spotlight on Scientific Imagery: *Skin-Muscle Interface***

A 3D color projection of the skin-muscle interface of an embryonic mouse forelimb stained for LAMA1, a basement membrane protein. This image was a winner in the 2020 BioArt Scientific Image & Video Competition of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

*Photo credit: Sarah Lipp, a graduate student at Purdue University, and Sarah Calve, Associate Professor at the University of Colorado Boulder and an Adjunct Associate Professor at Purdue*

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#### ***NIH News in Health: Step It Up! Get Active for Your Health***

This story is designed to motivate. It’s been shown over many decades that physical activity—for even just a little bit at a time—is one of the most important actions that people of all ages can take to improve their health.

 

 

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#### ***NIH News in Health: Funky Fingertips? What Nails Say About Your Health***

Clues about your health could be right at your fingertips. Learn what your nails may be telling you.

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#### **Wound Care Collaborative Community**

The overall mission of the Wound Care Collaborative Community (WCCC) is to ensure that patients and health care professionals have access to safe, effective, and high-quality medical devices and drugs to treat chronic wounds. The WCCC will work to identify methods, tools, approaches, and appropriate clinical evidence that will enhance understanding and improve evaluation of product safety, quality, and effectiveness.

## **Events**

#### **August NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting (Virtual Meeting)**

The next NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held virtually on August 31, 2021, at 10 a.m. ET. This meeting will be available for viewing via the NIH videocasting service.
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#### **FDA Virtual Public Workshop—Orthopedic Cartilage Repair Products**

November 12, 20218:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. ETEvent is videocast. (URL will be sent with registration confirmation.)Registration deadline: November 10, 2021, by 4 p.m. ET

*For additional online science seminars and events hosted by the NIH, view the NIH Videocast Upcoming Events and the NIH calendar.*

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