Translational Centers Using Microphysiologic Systems for Infectious Diseases

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) seeks to advance its mission by supporting the development of human microphysiologic systems (MPS) for infectious disease research and the development of therapeutics or biological products. MPS are in vitro platforms composed of cells or tissues maintained in a microenvironment designed to mimic the physiological aspects of in vivo tissue or organ function. There is growing support for the development of MPS for basic research at NIH and regulatory pathways at the FDA with the aim of reducing the use of animals in research and generating human tissue models that can be used to study human physiological processes. However, MPS development has not focused on their use in studies of infectious diseases or for product development. The goal of this program is to accelerate the use of MPS for infectious diseases and product development, promoting adoption for use by developers of drugs and biological products and their regulatory acceptance. Grant authorities that allow NIAID to forecast this opportunity are as follows: Sections 301 and 405 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 USC 241 and 284) and under Federal Regulations 42 CFR Part 52 and 2 CFR Part 200.