In this Issue:
1. American Reinvestment and Recovery Act News
2. Funding Opportunity News
3. NIDCR News
4. NIH News
5. Science Advances
American Reinvestment and Recovery Act News
HHS Secretary Announces $1 Billion in NIH Recovery Act Awards for Facilities
U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced in May that one billion dollars of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds have been awarded to construct, repair and renovate scientific research laboratories and related facilities across the country. A total of 146 grants to institutions in 44 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico were awarded to upgrade and construct buildings, laboratory spaces and core facilities that are crucial to biomedical and behavioral investigators.
Additional details are found at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2010/ncrr-14.htm
Funding Opportunity News
NIDCR Issues New Institutional Training Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs)
On April 16, NIDCR issued two institutional training FOAs:
The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Training for a Dental and Craniofacial Research Workforce (T32)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-171.html
Institutional Training for a Dental and Craniofacial Research Workforce (T90/R90)
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-170.html
Both awards provide support to eligible institutions to encourage research training opportunities for individuals interested in pursuing independent research careers in dental, oral, and craniofacial research. The T32 award is for institutions that propose to provide training opportunities only for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The T90/R90 award is for institutions that propose to provide training opportunities not only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, but also for foreign-trained dentists who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
Institutions applying for new or competitive renewal institutional training grant funding may apply for either the T32 or the T90/R90, but not both. The decision as to which FOA to apply for should be based solely on an applicant institution’s interest in providing training to non-citizens. Review criteria are the same for each FOA and all applications will be reviewed in a single study section. See additional information about the FOAs:
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/CareersAndTraining/Fellowships/Institutions/
i6 Challenge to Bring Innovative Ideas to Market
The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) has announced a new $12 million innovation competition, in partnership with the NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF). EDA will award up to $1 million to each of six teams around the country with the most innovative ideas to drive technology commercialization and entrepreneurship. NIH and NSF will award a total of up to $6 million in additional funding to NIH or NSF Small Business Innovation Research grantees associated with winning teams. Entrepreneurs, investors, universities, foundations, and non-profits are encouraged to participate in the i6 Challenge. The deadline for applications is July 15, 2010. See additional information at:
http://www.eda.gov/i6
Comments Sought on Financial Conflict of Interest Notice
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that proposes a general revision to the existing regulations regarding financial conflict of interest is open for public comment until July 20th. Instructions for submitting comments are found at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-099.html
Partnerships between NIH-funded researchers and industry are often essential to the process of moving discoveries from bench to bedside. However, managing financial conflicts of interest can be a major challenge because of the complex relationships among government, academia, and industry. The Notice of Proposed Rule Making focuses on three areas in particular:
--Investigators’ disclosure of information regarding significant financial interests to institutions;
--Institutions’ management of identified financial conflicts of interest (FCOI) and reporting of conflicts to NIH and other PHS agencies;
--Public disclosure of information regarding investigator FCOI.
Additional information about the Notice of Proposed Rule Making is available at:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-11885.pdf
A replay of a telebriefing on this topic by NIH Director Francis Collins may be viewed at:
http://ocplmedia.od.nih.gov/nihradio/NIHtelebrifing-2010.05.20.mp3
New Videos Reveal How NIH Identifies the Most Promising Research Applications
The NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) has released a video--NIH Peer Review Revealed--to show new applicants and others how NIH assesses over 80,000 grant applications each year to help find those with the most merit. CSR also has released a companion video: NIH Tips for Applicants. In this video, reviewers and NIH staff members featured in the NIH Peer Review Revealed video provide advice to new applicants. Both videos may be viewed at:
http://www.csr.nih.gov/video/video.asp
PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS
AIDS
Neurobiology/Pain
NIH Roadmap
Training
REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS
Neurobiology/Pain
NOTICES
New Concept Clearances
Concepts represent early planning stages for initiatives in which NIDCR seeks to support research in an understudied and significant area of science. Approval by the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council does not guarantee that a concept will become a program announcement (PA), request for applications (RFA), or request for proposals (RFP). NIDCR bases this determination on scientific and programmatic priorities balanced with the amount of funds available. The following concept clearances were approved at the May 2010 Council meeting:
http://go.usa.gov/32g
Molecular Characterization of Salivary Gland Tumors
Immunopathogenesis of HIV/AIDS-related Oral Manifestations and Host Immunity
Functional Restoration of Salivary Glands
Developing Research Capacity in Temporomandibular Disorders and Orofacial Pain Research
Individual Tailoring and Community Targeting of Behavioral and Social Interventions to Improve Oral Health
Dental Practice-based Research to Improve Oral Health and to Support the Adoption of Evidence-based Clinical Practice
Treatment Outcomes of Oral Diseases in Medically Complex
NIDCR News
NIDCR Establishes Salivary Gland Tumor Repository
https://research.mdacc.tmc.edu/Salivary_DB/index.html
Tumors of the salivary gland are rare and their causes are poorly understood. NIDCR has now established the first salivary gland tumor repository to enable research to define the etiology and pathogenesis of these conditions.
Oral Cancer Video and Public Service Announcements Available
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/Topics/OralCancer/AfricanAmericanMen/
NIDCR released a new video and three PSAs for its "Oral Cancer: What African American Men Need to Know" campaign.
Dr. James Melvin Appointed NIDCR Clinical Director
James Melvin, D.D.S., Ph.D., has been appointed NIDCR Clinical Director. A former director of the Center for Oral Biology at the University of Rochester, Dr. Melvin has made numerous contributions to the field of salivary gland physiology and played a key role in the research consortium that decoded the saliva proteome. Most recently he served as professor of pharmacology and physiology in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at Rochester and led a number of Ruth L. Kirschstein Institutional National Research Award programs at the pre-doctoral, doctoral and postdoctoral level. He received his D.D.S. from Case Western Reserve University, a Ph.D. in neurobiology and anatomy from the University of Rochester, and did his postdoctoral training in NIDCR's (then) Clinical Investigation and Patient Care Branch.
Dr. Penny Burgoon Appointed Director of Salivary Biology and Immunology Program
Dr. Penny Burgoon has been appointed director of the Salivary Biology and Immunology Program in the Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases Branch, Division of Extramural Research. Prior to joining NIDCR, she served as senior assistant to Dr. Raynard Kington, NIH Deputy Director. She was an NIH American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) fellow and and a visiting scholar at Ohio State University. Dr. Burgoon received a Ph.D. in physiology from Ohio State.
NIH News
STAR METRICS: New Way to Measure the Impact of Federally Funded Research
A new initiative promises to monitor the impact of federal science investments on employment, knowledge generation, and health outcomes. The initiative—Science and Technology for America’s Reinvestment: Measuring the Effect of Research on Innovation, Competitiveness and Science, or STAR METRICS—is a multi-agency venture led by the NIH, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP).
STAR METRICS will help the federal government document the value of its investments in research and development to a degree not previously possible. Together, NSF and NIH have committed $1 million for the program’s first year. Additional information about STAR METRICS is available at:
http://sites.nationalacademies.org/PGA/fdp/PGA_057189
New Embryonic Stem Cell Lines Available
http://grants.nih.gov/stem_cells/registry/current.htm
At the end of April, NIH Director Francis Collins announced that 13 additional human embryonic stem cell lines have been approved for federal funding and added to the NIH Stem Cell Registry, bringing the registry’s total number of lines available for federal funding to 64. Another 100 lines are pending approval.
Comments Sought on Plan to Develop Genetic Testing Registry
NIH is seeking input on its plan to develop a Genetic Testing Registry (GTR), a centralized public resource that will provide information about the availability, scientific basis, and usefulness of genetic tests. Although more than 2,000 genetic tests are available, there is no single public resource that provides information about their validity and usefulness. NIH believes that transparent access to such information is vital to facilitate research and to enable informed decision making by patients, caregivers, health care providers, clinical laboratory professionals, and policy makers. Submission of test information to the GTR will be voluntary, and NIH expects to receive wide interest and participation from researchers, test developers, and manufacturers.
Comments must be received by July 12, 2010. Additional information and instructions are found at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-101.html
Director, Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Leaves NIH; NIDCR Director Temporarily Serving as Acting Director
Dr. Lana Skirboll, who was Director of the Division of Program Coordination, Planning and Strategic Initiatives (DPCPSI) left the NIH on April 30 to assume a position with the Zerhouni Group, a new company led by former NIH Director Elias Zerhouni that will provide global strategic advice in science and health. Since 2008 Dr. Skirboll had provided direction for DPCPSI during its first years as an organization within the NIH Office of the Director. She played a key role in NIH’s involvement in human embryonic stem cell research and in implementing President Obama’s Executive Order last year. She previously had been director of the NIH Office of Science Policy since 1995.
NIH Director Francis Collins appointed NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak as acting director of the DPCPSI following the departure of Dr. Skirboll. Dr. Tabak is serving temporarily in this position while a search is conducted for the new DPCPSI director and continues to direct the NIDCR.
Dr. Harold Varmus to Head National Cancer Institute
On May 17, President Barack Obama announced his intent to appoint Dr. Harold Varmus to serve as director of the National Cancer Institute. Among his many professional distinctions, Dr. Varmus won a Nobel Prize for his work on the genetic basis of cancer in 1989, and, in 1993, was named by President Clinton to serve as director of the National Institutes of Health, a position he held until 2000. Most recently, Dr. Varmus served as president of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Science Advances
Human Microbiome Project Publishes First Genomic Collection
The Human Microbiome Project has published its first genomic analysis of 178 human microbes, including some that reside in the mouth. The Human Microbiome Project is managed by the NIH Office of the Director in partnership with the NIDCR, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the National Human Genome Research Institute, all part of NIH. Additional details are found at:
http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2010/nhgri-20.htm
Toward Better Resolution of Pain
http://go.usa.gov/3fy
NIDCR grantees recently published a potential new approach to pain management.
Study Provides New Leads into Genetics of Cleft Lip and/or Palate
A consortium of scientists has identified two genes involved in isolated cleft lip and/or palate. But how they found the genes is what's especially interesting.
Helping Cultured Stem Cells Roll
http://go.usa.gov/3fU
Before stem cell therapy can become a clinical reality, many practical details must be solved. Among them is the remarkably complex process of cell rolling. NIDCR grantees have developed a method to better mimic the process.
Making Sense of Signal Transduction
http://go.usa.gov/3fP
A major research effort is under way to understand how the bio-circuitry of the cell works. NIDCR grantees help to answer the fundamental question of signal integration.
Before the OPPERA
http://go.usa.gov/3fE
Natural history studies will be important in defining the causes of temporomandibular disorders. Here are some early results.
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