News & Events

Shorttakes

June 2007 (historical)

A compilation of news from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Published three times a year. Just scan these "shorttakes" for information on what's happening at NIAMS, or access the complete articles for viewing or use in your own newsletter or other publication.

From the Director . . .

Maintaining a steady stream of new investigators is critical to ensuring that the life-changing research that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NIAMS support will continue into succeeding decades. Recently, NIH has taken steps to bolster support for the next generation of biomedical and behavioral scientists through two mechanisms:

NIH Director's New Innovator Award. This grant program supports new investigators who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential for exceptional impact on biomedical or behavioral science. New investigators who have not yet obtained a traditional NIH R01 grant may apply. Applicants must hold an independent research position at a domestic institution and be within 10 years of their terminal degree. The proposed research may be in any scientific area relevant to the NIH mission. Each grant will be for 5 years and up to $300,000 in direct costs plus applicable facilities and administrative costs.

NIH Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00). NIH has reissued the program announcement for this award to highly promising postdoctoral scientists who are transitioning to becoming independent researchers. It is considered a bridge that will support new investigators at precisely the point between mentoring and independence that is seen as a most vulnerable time in their career path. The award offers up to 2 years of mentored support, followed by up to 3 years of additional support contingent on securing an independent research position. NIAMS plans to fund four of these awards per year in FY 2007 and 2008.

More information about both of these awards is available through:
http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/new_investigators/.

The late management sage Peter Drucker once remarked that "the best way to predict the future is to create it." I'm pleased to say that through mechanisms such as these, NIAMS is helping to create a research future populated by well-trained, innovative investigators who will continue to move our fields forward.

Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institutes of Health

Research Watch . . .

A new gene is linked to osteogenesis imperfecta.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/OI_gene.asp

The newly identified cadherin molecule is implicated in joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/cad_11.asp

Scientists implicate a gene in vitiligo and other autoimmune diseases.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2007/04_10.asp

Scientists develop a 3-D fabric to aid in joint cartilage repair.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/cart_repair.asp

A study finds a determinant of allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/allergic_reaction.asp

Scientists study the protein, S100A7, and its antibacterial action in wounds.

See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/wound_bacteria.asp

A team of scientists led by NIAMS' Scientific Director John O'Shea, M.D., gains new insights into immune-regulating cells.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/immune_cells.asp

Scientists find evidence of a genetic susceptibility for alopecia areata.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/aa_genetic.asp

A team of scientists led by NIAMS' Rafael Casellas, Ph.D., has developed a method to track the activity of an immune system enzyme in live animals.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2007/05_17.asp

Scientists develop a mouse model of scleroderma.

Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2007/scleroderma_mouse.asp

The AAOS 2006 Research Symposium ("Developmental Biology in Orthopaedics") Summary is published.

See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Announcements/2007/aaos_symposium.asp

The discussion draft of the Strategic Plan, "The Future Directions of Lupus Research" is posted for public comments.

See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/an/stratplan/lupus_plan.htm

A special supplement devoted to the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS), an initiative of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, has been published in the journal Medical Care.

See: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Announcements/2007/PROMIS_supp.asp

Grants and Contracts . . .

The following announcements related to NIAMS appeared in recent issues of the NIH Guide to Grants and Contracts. These announcements are made to the research community to express our interest in funding specific areas of research. For more information on NIAMS grants and contracts, visit the NIAMS Web site at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/Research/ and the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/index.html.

Requests for Applications:

Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Centers (P60), RFA-AR-07-001. Issued: March 20, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: May 29, 2007; application receipt date: June 29, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-07-001.html

Requests for Applications - FYI (NIH Roadmap):

2007 NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program (DP2), RFA-RM-07-009. Issued: March 9, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt date: May 22, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-009.html

Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54), RFA-RM-07-007. Issued: March 22, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: September 24, 2007; application receipt date: October 24, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-007.html

National Institutes of Health Rapid Access to Interventional Development (NIH-RAID Pilot) (X01), PAR-07-358. Issued: April 19, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement; application receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement..
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-358.html

Program Announcements:

Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R01), PAR-07-344. Issued: March 29, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-344.html

Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP) [R01], PAR-07-352. Issued: April 6, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-352.html

Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R01), PAR-07-379. Issued: June 7, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement; application receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-379.html

Behavioral and Social Science Research on Understanding and Reducing Health Disparities (R21), PAR-07-380. Issued: June 7, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement; application receipt date: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-380.html

Program Announcements (NIH Roadmap):

Pre-application for the Molecular Libraries Probe Production Centers Network (MLPCN) (X02), PAR-07-368. Issued: April 30, 2007; letters of intent receipt date: May 29, 2007; application receipt date: June 28, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-07-368.html

Highlights From the Hill, DHHS and NIH . . .

The Future Directions of Lupus Research

The FY 2005 House Appropriations Committee report language directed the NIH to develop a plan to guide the nation's investment in lupus research. To identify the opportunities, priorities and needs in lupus research that should be considered for inclusion in the research plan, a panel/workshop consisting of scientific experts in the field of lupus was brought together for two days of presentations and discussion. The highlights of their conclusions are reported in The Future Directions of Lupus Research. This research plan highlights many unprecedented opportunities to increase our understanding of lupus at the population, individual and molecular levels, which should ultimately allow the translation of new knowledge into more effective treatments and, eventually, prevention strategies. We are currently seeking feedback on the plan and welcome the opportunity to hear your comments and suggestions. The plan may be accessed via the internet at http://www.niams.nih.gov and will be posted for public comment for 30 days through Friday, June 22, 2007.

Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Care and Cure Act of 2007

The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Research, Care and Cure Act of 2007 (H.R. 1188) was introduced in the House on February 16 by Representative David Wu (D-OR). The bill would require the Director of NIAMS to conduct or support psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research and coordinate such research with other Institutes and Centers, and would establish a national psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patient registry through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The companion bill, S. 1459, was introduced in the Senate on May 23, 2007, by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ). The bill was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Communication, and Healthcare Amendments of 2007

On February 27, 2007, the Lupus Research, Education, Awareness, Communication, and Healthcare Amendments of 2007 (H.R. 1192) were introduced in the House by Representative Kendrick Meek (D-FL). The bill would require NIH to expand and intensify research on lupus, and enhance public and health professional awareness of the disease. The bill also includes non-NIH provisions for a national lupus public awareness campaign, a national epidemiological study, and a study to evaluate and improve federal and state activities related to lupus research, education and awareness programs. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The companion measure, S. 1359, was introduced in the Senate on May 10 by Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), and is identical to H.R. 1192.

Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007

On March 1, 2007, the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act of 2007 (H.R. 1283) was introduced in the House by Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA). The provisions relevant to NIH would require the agency to establish the Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee, expand and intensify programs on juvenile arthritis, and award planning grants or contracts on juvenile arthritis. It is virtually identical to S. 626 introduced by Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) on February 15. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act

On April 25, 2007, the House agreed by a vote of 420-3 to suspend the rules and passed H.R. 493, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which was introduced on January 16 by Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY). The companion bill in the Senate, S. 358, was introduced on January 22 by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). These bills, which would prohibit discrimination in health insurance and employment on the basis of predictive genetic information, are identical to legislation passed by the Senate during the 109th Congress.

Budget Update

FY 2007

The NIH recently launched the NIH Director’s Bridge Award (NDBA), which is intended to provide continued but limited support to investigators who have submitted competing renewal grant applications that just miss the Institute or Center’s nominal payline and who have limited additional support. The continued funding will permit the investigator additional time to strengthen a resubmission application. There were six NIAMS investigators who were eligible for this program, and these individuals will be receiving a NDBA. A full description of this program can be found at:
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-07-056.html

FY 2008

On March 6, 2007, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, and Education (Representative Dave Obey [D-WI], Chairman) held its NIH Overview Hearing on the FY2008 Budget. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee (Senator Tom Harkin [D-IA], Chairman) held its overview hearing on March 19. Dr. Zerhouni’s testimony and slides for both hearings can be at:
http://officeofbudget.od.nih.gov/ui/HomePage.htm

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee also held a series of theme hearings, and Dr. Katz was asked to participate in the theme hearing entitled “Burden of Chronic Diseases,” which was held on April 20, 2007. The session was chaired by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA); also in attendance were Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Larry Craig (R-ID). The other institute directors on the panel were Richard J. Hodes, M.D., director, National Institute on Aging; Elizabeth G. Nabel, M.D., director, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; and Griffin P. Rodgers, M.D., director, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Senator Cochran (R-MS) asked all panel members to discuss how they would spend additional funds above the President’s Budget. As well, Dr. Katz received specific questions from Senator Harkin (D-IA) on osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, regenerative medicine, autoimmune diseases, fibromyalgia and low back pain. Written questions for the record were received from Senator Specter (R-PA) on drugs for children, the Osteoarthritis Initiative, and muscle degeneration. Dr. Katz’s written statement and slides have been posted to the NIAMS Web site and can be viewed at:
http://www.niams.nih.gov/About_Us/Budget/2008cj_narrative.asp

Other theme hearings included: “Mind, Brain and Behavior,” March 26; “Frontiers of Science,” May 7; and a two-part series entitled, “A New Vision for Medical Research,” March 16 (postponed, to be rescheduled) and March 21. Information on these hearings can be viewed at:
http://olpa.od.nih.gov/hearings/110/session1/default.asp

NIAMS Faces . . .

NIAMS welcomes Shahnaz Khan, M.P.H., as a clinical coordinator for the NIAMS Extramural Program (EP). Shahnaz graduated from The George Washington University School of Public Health in May 2007 with a concentration in epidemiology. She has worked at George Washington University for the past four years in Phase II-IV clinical trials in psychiatry. Additionally, she recently worked with the NIH Office of Human Subjects Research (OHSR) as an Institutional Review Board (IRB) analyst.

NIAMS welcomes Anna Nicholson as a clinical coordinator for the NIAMS Extramural Program. Anna previously worked as a project manager with KAI Research, Inc., a clinical research organization, where she provided assistance and consultation to investigators and NIH staff on the conduct of clinical studies, data and safety monitoring and other related activities.

James Witter M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.R., joined the NIAMS Extramural Program as a health science administrator in the Skin and Rheumatic Diseases Branch. His Ph.D. is in medical microbiology and immunology, and he is board certified in internal medicine and rheumatology. Prior to joining NIAMS, Dr. Witter was a medical officer at the Food and Drug Administration.

Marie Mancini, Ph.D., recently joined the NIAMS Extramural Program as a health science administrator in the Skin and Rheumatic Diseases Branch. Previously, she was a research scientist at MedImmune, Inc., where she focused on preclinical studies for a number of disease targets in the areas of autoimmunity, inflammation and respiratory diseases. Dr. Mancini earned her doctorate in 2000 and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where she studied the cell biology of programmed cell death. Prior to graduate studies, Dr. Mancini worked as a biologist at the National Cancer Institute.

Helen Simon, M.S., senior advisor for program coordination in the NIAMS, has retired after 32 years with the federal government. She was with the NIAMS at its inception in 1986 for the first three years. She worked in the NEI, NIDCR and NHGRI, and returned to NIAMS in 1995 as the chief of the Office of Program Planning, where she created planning processes that continue in NIAMS today. Recently, she was on a detail to the Foundation for the NIH while continuing to support the NIAMS executive staff.

Kudos . . .

Eight people from NIAMS are being honored at the annual NIH Director’s Award Ceremony on June 13. The honorees are: Gahan Breithaupt, M.B.A., for his extraordinary leadership, skill and ability in serving as a mentor while demonstrating exemplary performance; Gayle Lester, Ph.D., for her outstanding insight and action to develop the Osteoarthritis Initiative Public Data Access through a public-private partnership; Ivona Aksentijevich, M.D., and Raphaela Goldbach Mansky, M.D., in recognition of establishing a cutting-edge translational research program studying neonatal-onset multi-system inflammatory disease (NOMID) in the NIAMS Intramural Research Program; and Robert Rosen, George Brown, Millie Jernigan and Jennifer Simms in recognition of their exceptional leadership and sustained contributions in information security in support of the NIH Mission.

Janet S. Austin, Ph.D., director, NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison, was honored at the NIH Plain Language Awards Ceremony on April 17, 2007, for the 2006 Annual Report to the NIH Director on NIH Child Care.

From the Health Partnership Program.

The HPP continues to progress under the program's five focus areas: public health education, patient care, health disparities research, recruitment to research careers, and community relations. Below are highlights of current activities.

Staff Changes

Mark Gourley, M.D., recently joined the NIAMS as the director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program. Dr. Gourley will oversee clinical care at the NIAMS Community Health Center (CHC).

Nicole Schuett, health educator, left NIAMS after five years to work with the Pan American Health Organization.

NIAMS Community Health Center (CHC)

Researchers from the Department of Counseling and Personnel Services, University of Maryland, in collaboration with NIAMS, are planning to conduct a new study at the CHC, “Providing Effective Psychotherapy Interventions for Individuals with Autoimmune Diseases.” The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of psychotherapy in improving the psychological well-being of individuals with connective tissue diseases.

Gwenyth Wallen, Ph.D., and Migdalia Rivera-Goba, Ph.D., who lead the study, “Health Beliefs and Health Practices Among Minorities With Rheumatic Disease,” are currently analyzing data collected in the third phase of the study. This phase consisted of in-depth interviews with 100 newly enrolled patients at the NIAMS CHC as well as six-month followup assessments.

Michael Ward, M.D., is currently conducting the study, “Time Perspective and Health,” which looks at whether there is a relationship between a person’s health status and their time perspective, i.e., present or future oriented. Since July 2006, Dr. Ward’s team has been conducting surveys among patrons of community beauty salons and barbershops in Silver Spring, Md. Their goal is to conduct 400 surveys with patrons. At this point, they are very close to this goal.

Community Meetings and Events

NIAMS continues to disseminate information on rheumatic diseases and clinical studies at health fairs within the tristate area. Recent exhibits include the Reina de las Américas Church Health Fair, the Consulate of Ecuador Health Fair, the NIH Parenting Festival, and the Washington, D.C. Office of Aging’s 43rd Annual Senior Day.

Update on Equal Employment Opportunity . . .

The 2007 Summer Internship Program is underway. Thus far, 22 students from diverse backgrounds will be participating. The summer internship program provides a unique opportunity for talented students from underserved backgrounds or areas to come to NIAMS for training and mentoring. This will encourage these students to work in the field of biomedical research, and in particular in the disease areas of NIAMS. One intern from the Workforce Recruitment Program has been placed in the Office of Communications and Public Liaison.

NIAMS organized and held a Job Shadow Day for Wilson High School SciMaTech students on February 6. Three students came to the Institute to see how NIAMS professionals conduct their workdays. NIAMS staff also participated as judges at the school’s annual Science Fair on February 9, and exhibited at Wheaton High School’s annual Career Day on April 18.

NIAMS staff members are preparing for the NIH National Minority Youth Initiative in Biomedical Research. The Native American, African American, and Hispanic students who will be coming to NIH will receive health information and tours of NIAMS’ labs.
We are planning a partnership with the Montgomery County, Md. Police Activities League to work with students in that program. NIAMS will host student visits to the NIH to foster academic enrichment and interest in biomedical research.

Upcoming Events . . .

Look for the NIAMS exhibit at the following events between now and the September issue:

  • Small Business Administration's Work, Life, Safety, and Health Fair, Washington, D.C., June 19, 2007
  • American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Indianapolis, Ind., June 20-24, 2007
  • American Physical Therapy Association, Denver, Colo., June 27-30, 2007
  • National Alopecia Areata Foundation International Conference, Washington, D.C., June 28-July 1, 2007
  • National Association of School Nurses, Nashville, Tenn., June 28-July 1, 2007
  • American Juvenile Arthritis Organization, Hershey, Pa., July 1-4, 2007
  • National Black Nurses Association, Atlanta, Ga., July 25-29, 2007
  • Eczema Patient Conference, Washington, D.C., July 26-29, 2007
  • Minority Trainee Research Forum, Aventura, Fla., Sept. 13-17, 2007
  • Celebra La Vida con Salud, a continuing series of community health fairs throughout the country

Publications . . .

New Interactive Web Resource:
Check Up On Your Bones, an interactive bone health tool for people of all ages, is available on the NIAMS Web site at http://www.niams.nih.gov/bone/optool/index.asp. The goal of the checkup is to help users identify the most common red flags that put their bones at risk and to give strategies specific to individual users to make their bones stronger and healthier. Check Up On Your Bones is based on Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Report of the Surgeon General.

New Booklets:
Handout on Health: Osteoporosis
Questions and Answers about Pemphigus
Living with Arthritis: Easy-to-Read Information for Patients and Families

Revised booklets:
Questions and Answers about Gout
Questions and Answers about Vitiligo
Questions and Answers About Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis

Fotonovela
Isabel’s Story/La historia de Isabel - now available on the NIAMS Web site

New Chinese Fact Sheets on Bone Health:
Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Guide for Asian Women Aged 50 and Older
For People With Osteoporosis: How to Find a Doctor
Osteoporosis and Asian American Women
Osteoporosis in Men
What People With Lactose Intolerance Need to Know About Osteoporosis Bone Mass Measurement: What the Numbers Mean
Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age
Exercise for Your Bone Health
Once Is Enough: A Guide to Preventing Future Fractures
Kids and Their Bones

Revised Spanish Fact Sheet on Bone Health:
Haga ejercicio para tener huesos sanos (Exercise for Your Bone Health)

For information on arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases, including copies of the publications listed above, contact:

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
NIAMS/National Institutes of Health
1 AMS Circle
Bethesda, MD 20892-3675
Phone: (301) 495-4484 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call, in English or Spanish)
TTY: (301) 565-2966
Fax: (301) 718-6366
E-mail: NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov

For information on osteoporosis and other bone diseases, contact:

NIH Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center
1232 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037-1292
Phone: (202) 223-0344 or (800) 624-BONE (2663)
TTY: (202) 466-4315
Fax: (202) 293-2356
E-mail: niamsboneinfo@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov/Bone

For general information on NIAMS and its research programs, contact:

Office of Communications and Public Liaison
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases/NIH
Building 31/Room 4C02
31 Center Drive, MSC 2350
Bethesda, MD 20892-2350
Phone: (301) 496-8190 or (877) 22-NIAMS (free call)
TTY: (301) 565-2966
Fax: (301) 480-2814
E-mail (inquiries): NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov
E-mail (public liaison): NIAMSPublicLiaison@mail.nih.gov
World Wide Web: www.niams.nih.gov

Compiled by the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, NIAMS; phone: (301) 496-8190; e-mail: NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov