March 29, 2012

SPOTLIGHT

 Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.Letter From Dr. Stephen I. Katz:
NIAMS National Multicultural Outreach Initiative 
Names Four Pilot Study Sites

Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to announce that four organizations have been selected to field test the distribution of health planners as part of the NIAMS National Multicultural Outreach Initiative, in preparation for an anticipated national distribution in 2013.

Image: Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.

NEWS

Drug Halts Organ Damage in Inflammatory Genetic Disorder: NIH Study Shows Benefits of Long-Term Kineret Therapy in People With NOMID

A new study shows that Kineret (anakinra), a medication approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is effective in stopping the progression of organ damage in people with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). This rare and debilitating genetic disorder causes persistent inflammation and ongoing tissue damage. The research was performed by scientists at the NIAMS, part of the NIH.

Members of New Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee Announced

More than 100 million Americans suffer from migraines, arthritis and other chronic pain conditions with an annual economic toll of nearly $600 billion in medical bills and lost productivity. To help address this problem, Congress directed the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Affordable Care Act, to create a new Interagency Pain Research Coordinating Committee. Its members, announced by the NIH, include biomedical researchers, representatives from nonprofit public advocacy organizations and representatives of seven federal government organizations that deal with pain research and patient care.

NIH Launches Consumer-Friendly Tips Series on Complementary Health Practices

A new series of monthly health tips, Time to Talk Tips, will provide consumers with easy-to-read information on complementary health practices. The effort is managed by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) at the NIH.

International Voice in Human Subjects Protections Named NIH Clinical Center Bioethics Chief

Christine Grady, Ph.D., was recently named chief of the Department of Bioethics of the NIH Clinical Center. Dr. Grady has served as deputy director of the department since 1996, and served as acting chief since September 2011.

NIH Researchers Discover New Method To Label Cells for Tracking by MRI

Researchers have developed a method to label transplanted cells so they can be tracked by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the future, as cell therapies become a more integral part of regenerative medicine and tumor treatment, there could be increased need to measure how many transplanted immune or stem cells reach their target.

NIH Common Fund Researchers Uncover Structure of Important Target for Drug Design

Researchers have uncovered a potent class of small molecules that selectively turn on the S1P1 receptor, a type of receptor in cells that can be targeted in the design of new treatments for diseases such as multiple sclerosis. These findings are reported in the February 17 issue of the journal Science. The research was supported by the NIH Common Fund and the National Institute of General Medical Science (NIGMS).

NEW PUBLICATIONS 

Always There: The Biography of Ruth L. Kirschstein, M.D.

You may know the name from the NIH’s Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards. Now you can read about the person behind the name. Always There: The Remarkable Life of Ruth Lillian Kirschstein, M.D. tells the story of the woman who became the first female director of a major institute at the NIH, helped develop the Sabin polio vaccine and was an advocate for basic biomedical research and research training. The book is available for download to your Kindle, Nook or iPad, as well as via PDF.

The 2013 NIAMS Congressional Justification

When the President submits his budget to Congress each year, the Executive Branch agencies provide a document called the Congressional Justification. The Congressional Justification submitted by the NIAMS complements the President’s budget request by explaining the Institute’s mission, highlighting recent research accomplishments and future initiatives, and providing comparative budget data for the previous, current and upcoming fiscal years. Brief descriptions of the Institute’s Extramural and Intramural Research Programs are also included, along with overviews of key research support activities. Additionally, a series of Program Portraits are included that highlight accomplishments and future directions of selected activities funded by the Institute. To view the Fiscal Year 2013 NIAMS Congressional Justification, or to access archived documents from previous years, please visit the NIAMS website.

NIH Research Matters

NIH Research Matters is a review of NIH research from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, NIH.

New Method Builds Bone

Researchers have developed a way to direct the body’s own stem cells to the outer bone to build new, strong bone tissue. The method, developed in mice, may lead to new treatments for osteoporosis and other bone diseases that affect millions of people.

NIH Public Bulletin

Read about the latest public events, activities and health information resources from the NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.

NIH News in Health

Read practical health information in NIH News in Health, which is reviewed by the NIH’s medical experts and is based on research conducted either by the NIH’s own scientists or by its grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.

Halt the Hurt! Dealing With Chronic Pain

Pain—it’s something we’ve all experienced. From our first skinned knee to headaches, back pain and creaky joints as we age, pain is something we encounter many times. Most pain is acute and goes away quickly. But in some cases, when pain develops slowly or persists for months or even years, it’s called chronic pain, and it can be tricky to treat.

Dry Eyes and Mouth? You May Have Sjögren’s Syndrome

If your eyes and mouth feel as dry as a desert, there are many possible causes, such as bad air quality and certain medications. But if you have long-lasting, uncomfortable dryness in your eyes and mouth, along with fatigue or pain and swelling in some of your joints, you may have a condition called Sjögren’s syndrome.

How Often Should Women Have Bone Tests?

Experts say that older women should have regular bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis. But it's been unclear how often to repeat the tests. A new study suggests that women with healthy bone density on their first test might wait 15 years before getting rescreened.

MEETINGS

NIAMS 2011 Roundtable Discussions

In 2011, the NIAMS hosted five roundtables as part of our continued commitment to engage the research and lay communities in discussions related to current scientific opportunities, challenges and future directions. Information obtained from the roundtables helps to inform the Institute’s planning process, as well as our approach for advancing research across our basic, translational and clinical portfolios.

Save the Date: Summit on the Science of Eliminating Health Disparities

Integrating Science, Policy and Practice
Building a Healthier Society
October 31–November 3, 2012
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center
National Harbor, Maryland

For more information, please contact 2012summit@mail.nih.gov.

NIH Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series

The NIH's Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series offers weekly lectures every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Building 10, NIH Campus. Renowned scientists from around the globe present research on a variety of topics. The lectures are Continuing Medical Education-certified lectures, open to the public and available live via webcast.

Upcoming lectures:

April 11, 2012
Dr. Stephen Goff
“Retroviral Restriction Factors: ZAP, ZFP809, and New Aspects of Innate Immunity”

April 18, 2012
Dr. Randy Jirtle
“Epigenetics: How Genes and Environment Interact”

April 25, 2012 
Dr. Witold Filipowicz
“Regulating the Regulators: Mechanisms Controlling Function and Metabolism of microRNAs”

FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS

NIAMS Announcements

Notice of Intent To Publish a Request for Applications for Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers (U54)
(NOT-AR-13-002)

NIH Common Fund Initiative Announcements

Assays for High Throughput Screening (HTS) To Discover Chemical Probes in the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN) (X01)
(PAR-12-108)
Letter of Intent Receipt Dates: March 16, 2012, and July 16, 2012
Application Receipt Dates: April 16, 2012, and August 15, 2012

Request for Information: Defining Unmet Needs for Clinical Translation of Cell-Based Therapies
(NOT-RM-12-008)

Request for Information: Input Regarding Current Capacity in Africa for Consideration in Development of a Human Heredity and Health (H3Africa) Ethical, Legal and Societal Implications (ELSI) of Genomic Research Program
(NOT-RM-12-014)

Request for Information (RFI): Disruptive Proteomics Technologies—Challenges and Opportunities
(NOT-RM-12-015)

Clarification of Letter of Intent Due Date for RFA-RM-12-002: NIH Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory—Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects (UH2/UH3)
(NOT-RM-12-016)

Other Funding Announcements

Small Business Alzheimer’s Disease Research (SBIR [R43/R44])
(RFA-OD-12-003)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: March 30, 2012
Application Receipt Date: April 30, 2012

Small Business Alzheimer’s Disease Research (STTR [R41/R42])
(RFA-OD-12-004)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: March 30, 2012
Application Receipt Date: April 30, 2012

Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp)
(PA-12-100)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not Applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply

Research on the Health of LGBTI Populations (R01)
(PA-12-111)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply

Research on the Health of LGBTI Populations (R03)
(PA-12-112)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply

Research on the Health of LGBTI Populations (R21)
(PA-12-113)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply

Infrastructure Development Program in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) (R24)
(PA-12-114)
Letters of Intent Receipt Dates: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: June 19, 2012; December 19, 2012; December 19, 2013; and December 19, 2014

New Electronic Submission Process Now Available for Administrative Supplement Requests
(NOT-OD-12-043)

Request for Information (RFI): Input Into the Scientific Strategic Plan for the Proposed National Institute of Substance Use and Addiction Disorders
(NOT-OD-12-045)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-10-122: SHIFT Award: Small Businesses Helping Investigators To Fuel the Translation of Scientific Discoveries [SBIR R43/R44]
(NOT-OD-12-047)

Notice of Change to Non-Allowable Costs for PA-10-071: NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings [Parent R13/U13]
(NOT-OD-12-048)

Notice Regarding NIH Plan To Transition From Use of USDA Class B Cats to Other Legal Sources 
(NOT-OD-12-049)

Notice of Change to Non-Allowable Costs for PA-10-106: Scientific Meetings for Creating Interdisciplinary Research Teams (R13)
(NOT-OD-12-050)

Notice of Change to Non-Allowable Costs for PA-11-201: Research on Children in Military Families: The Impact of Parental Military Deployment and Reintegration on Child and Family Functioning (R13)
(NOT-OD-12-051)

Request for Information (RFI): Input Into the Deliberations of the Council of Councils Working Group on the Use of Chimpanzees in NIH-Supported Research
(NOT-OD-12-052)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-335: Lab to Marketplace: Tools for Biomedical and Behavioral Research (SBIR [R43/R44])
(NOT-OD-12-053)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-10-138: Development of Animal Models and Related Biological Materials for Research (R21)
(NOT-OD-12-054)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-340: Development of Novel and Emerging Technologies for the Accurate Detection and Diagnosis of Polymicrobial Infections in Biomedical Laboratory Animal Models (SBIR [R43/R44])
(NOT-OD-12-055)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-341: Development of Novel and Emerging Technologies for the Accurate Detection and Diagnosis of Polymicrobial Infections in Biomedical Laboratory Animal Models (STTR [R41/R42])
(NOT-OD-12-056)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-115: Limited Competition: Specific Pathogen Free Macaque Colonies (U24)
(NOT-OD-12-057)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-116: Limited Competition: Specific Pathogen Free Macaque Colonies (U42)
(NOT-OD-12-058)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-12-021: Midcareer Investigator Award in Mouse Pathobiology and Comprehensive Phenotyping Research (K26)
(NOT-OD-12-059)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-09-220: Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology Initiative (SBIR [R43/R44])
(NOT-OD-12-060)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-09-221: Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology Initiative (STTR [R41/R42])
(NOT-OD-12-061)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-009: Translational Scholar Career Awards in Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine (K23)
(NOT-OD-12-062)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-214: New Technology for Proteomics and Glycomics (STTR [R41/R42])
(NOT-OD-12-063)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PA-11-215: New Technology for Proteomics and Glycomics (SBIR [R43/R44])
(NOT-OD-12-064)

Notice of Change of Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-286: Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) [P20]
(NOT-OD-12-065)

IACUC 101 Workshop: April 11, 2012, in Irvine, CA
(NOT-OD-12-068)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-10-146: Social Network Analysis and Health (R21)
(NOT-OD-12-070)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-10-206: NCRR Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25)
(NOT-OD-12-071)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-10-289: Resource Related Research Projects for Development of Animal Models and Related Materials (R24)
(NOT-OD-12-073)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-001: Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers (P40)
(NOT-OD-12-074)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-136: Limited Competition: National Primate Research Centers (P51)
(NOT-OD-12-075)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-12-017: Shared Instrumentation Grant Program (S10)
(NOT-OD-12-076)

Notice of Change in Participation of NIH Institutes and Centers in PAR-11-203: Predictive Multiscale Models for Biomedical, Biological, Behavioral, Environmental and Clinical Research (Interagency U01)
(NOT-OD-12-077)

Change in Criteria for Renewal of Animal Welfare Assurances for Foreign Institutions
(NOT-OD-12-081)

Request for Information (RFI): Enhancing the Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSA) Program
(NOT-TR-12-003)

Request for Information (RFI): Optimization of Information Technology for Biobanks Collecting Specimens From Clinical Trials Sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI)
(NOT-CA-12-008)

NCI Will Participate in RFA-AR-12-007: Ancillary Domain Development Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) Studies (R01)
(NOT-CA-12-011)

Notice of Intent To Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on Multidisciplinary Studies in HIV/AIDS and Aging (R01)
(NOT-AG-12-002)

Notice of Intent To Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on Multidisciplinary Studies in HIV/AIDS and Aging (R03)
(NOT-AG-12-004)

Notice of Intent To Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) on Multidisciplinary Studies in HIV/AIDS and Aging (R21)
(NOT-AG-12-005)

If you would like to review information about funding opportunities more frequently than our monthly updates allow, see the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, the primary source for information about NIH funding opportunities. You can also request a weekly Table of Contents from the NIH Guide.
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