This notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) invites applications that propose interdisciplinary research that aims to develop complex mammalian 3-dimensional (3D)in vitromicrophysiological systems (MPS) to model aging and recapitulate aging processes/phenotypes observed in the whole organismin vivo. This NOFO is primarily focused on human cell-derived MPS (e.g., tissue chip, organ-on-chip, tissue organoids). However, systems developed using cells of nonhuman mammalian origin are acceptable for benchmarking, system validation, or when their relevance to understanding human aging biology is justified. Supported projects will be expected to advance the adoption of MPS in aging biology research and as new human-relevant tools for drug discovery.This NOFO uses the R21 activity code, which is intended for exploratory research at the early and conceptual stages of project development. Preliminary data are not required. An essential feature of responsive applications is the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach that includes expertise in aging biology and from disciplines such as stem cell biology, tissue and organ physiology, microfluidics, bioengineering, computational biology, pharmacology, and biostatistics.

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