Director's Report to Council: January 2008

ACTIVITIES OF THE NIDCR DIRECTOR

Since the last meeting of the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council (NADCRC), NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak gave a briefing on Capitol Hill, met with the Government Affairs Committee of the American Dental Association, led meetings nationwide and at NIH on the peer review process, and delivered presentations at scientific symposia and meetings. At the request of NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, the NIDCR Director continues to co-chair two working groups charged with examining the NIH peer review process. He also co-chairs the Research Teams of the Future component of the NIH Roadmap that emphasizes new ways of doing team science to catalyze additional multi- and interdisciplinary research and the NIH-wide Pain Consortium.

On December 5, Dr. Tabak briefed Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) about NIDCR research. Mr. Peter Anas, Executive Director of the Friends of the NIDCR, and Mr. Andrew Kaffes, Legislative Director of FNIDCR, also attended the briefing. Among the topics discussed were salivary diagnostics, practice-based research networks, genome-wide association studies, and the re-competition of the health disparities centers.

On October 16, Dr. Tabak provided an update on NIDCR research activities to members of the American Dental Association (ADA) Government Affairs committee in Washington, D.C. In addition to providing an overview of NIDCR research, he discussed scientific areas of emphasis and decision-making. An article detailing the visit appeared in the November 5, 2007 issue of the ADA publication Your Dental Advocate .

As co-chair of the NIH internal and external committees examining the NIH peer review process, Dr. Tabak led numerous meetings over the past few months, including three regional meetings held in Chicago (September 12), New York City (October 8), and San Francisco (October 25). In addition, the NIDCR Director gave presentations on peer review at meetings of the National Human Genome Research Institute Council (September 11), Fogarty International Center Council (September 11), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Council (September 17), National Instiutute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Council (September 19), Review Policy Committee (September 19), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Council (September 20), National Institute of Mental Health Council (September 21), National Institute of Nursing Research Council (September 25), the NIH Extramural Policy and Management Committee (September 26), National Advisory Council on Aging (September 26), the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Council (September 27), an external advocacy peer review forum held in Washington, D.C. (October 22), the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Council (October 30), the National Cancer Institute Board of Scientific Advisors (November 15), the National Cancer Advisory Board (November 27), the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Board of Directors (December 3), and the Consortium of Social Science Associations (December 3). He then presented results from both the external and internal working groups to the full Advisory Committee to the NIH Director on December 7. The groups are now meeting to develop a set of integrated recommendations for next steps.

Other presentations made by Dr. Tabak over the past few months include an address on “Spit is Your Friend” to National Center for Research Resources staff and the welcome address at the NIH Grants Management Training Program in October. That same month he also gave an IT Governance presentation at a Mini-Retreat on Information Science for NIH institute and center directors. In November he spoke about “The Beginnings of Mucin Glycoprotein Biosynthesis” at a symposium held at the Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine and gave the opening remarks at the NIH Working Group on Biomedical Careers Workshop. The NIDCR Director also was interviewed about salivary diagnostics for the December 2007 edition of NIH Vodcast.  NIH Vodcast is a monthly, 30-minute MP4 video program produced by the NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison. In January he attended the closed session of the Biomarkers Consortium Executive Committee meeting in Bethesda, MD.

ACTIVITIES OF THE NIDCR DEPUTY DIRECTOR

On October 16, NIDCR Deputy Director Isabel Garcia joined Dr. Tabak in the visit with staff members of the American Dental Association Washington, D.C. office. In addition to discussing research efforts in areas of extraordinary scientific promise, they spoke about how research priorities are set. On December 5, Dr. Garcia also accompanied the NIDCR Director at the briefing for Congressman Mike Simpson (R-ID) on NIDCR research.

Dr. Garcia represented NIDCR at the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Strategic Planning Forum held December 3. The forum was designed to gather input from both NIH and the outside research community for NCRR’s next strategic plan. NCRR is seeking to foster new collaborations to accelerate the translation of research findings into practice.
During the past three months, the NIDCR Deputy Director also met with several leaders and colleagues from other Federal agencies and departments with a primary interest in oral health. These include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Oral Health, the Veteran’s Administration Office of Dentistry, and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

BUDGET UPDATE

FY 2007
NIDCR was funded for the fiscal year by a Joint Resolution that provided the Institute $389.4 million without requirement to transfer funding for NIH Roadmap projects, which were funded in FY 2007 entirely by funds appropriated directly to the Office of the Director, NIH. For comparison purposes, the President’s Request for FY 2007 was $386.1 million for NIDCR, including $4.6 million for the support of NIH Roadmap activities.

FY 2008
The FY 2008 appropriation will provide $389.7 million for NIDCR. The budget distribution by budget mechanism will be provided upon public release of the details.

FY 2009
Information regarding the FY 2009 budget for NIDCR will not be available until public release, currently scheduled for early February.

HHS Secretary Leavitt, DHS Secretary Chertoff Meet with Health Ministers on Global Health Security
Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt and Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff met with health ministers from allied nations, the European Union, and the World Health Organization on November 2 on the NIH campus. The meetings took place as part of the Global Health Security Initiative (GHSI). Health ministers, senior officials, and technical experts engaged in a series of discussions and workshops to help decide how best to address the threats of bioterrorism, infectious disease, and other public health risks.

The GHSI originated following the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the subsequent anthrax attacks, when the U.S. Government called for the establishment of a regular, formal opportunity for the health ministers of the major industrialized nations and their immediate neighbors to meet and exchange ideas. This is the first time the U.S. has hosted the meeting.

NIH Launches Human Microbiome Project
NIH has launched the Human Microbiome Project to better understand how microorganisms interact with the human body to affect health and disease. Part of the NIH’s Roadmap for Medical Research, the Human Microbiome Project will award a total of $115 million to researchers over the next five years. Initially, researchers will sequence 600 microbial genomes, completing a collection that will total some 1,000 microbial genomes and providing a resource for investigators interested in exploring the human microbiome. Other microbial genomes are being contributed to the collection by individual NIH institutes and internationally funded projects. Researchers will then use new, comprehensive laboratory technologies to characterize the microbial communities present in samples taken from healthy human volunteers. The samples will be collected from five body regions known to be inhabited by microbial communities: the digestive tract, the mouth, the skin, the nose, and the female urogenital tract. Demonstration projects will subsequently be funded to sample the microbiomes from volunteers with specific diseases. This will allow researchers to correlate the relationship between changes in a microbiome present at a particular body site to a specific illness. See additional information about the Human Microbiome Project.   

NIH Launches Interdisciplinary Research Consortia
The NIH Roadmap will fund nine interdisciplinary research consortia to address health challenges that have been resistant to traditional research approaches. The funding of these consortia represents a fundamental change in both the culture within which biomedical and behavioral research is conducted and the culture within the NIH where research projects are normally managed by an individual Institute or Center. "The Roadmap Interdisciplinary Research Consortia have been designed to enable the conduct of biomedical and behavioral research of the future — multiple NIH Institutes and Centers supporting multiple investigators with different scientific backgrounds, often from different institutions — all of whom are coming together to perform research on complex, real-life problems," said Dr. Tabak, co-chair of the working group that helped identify the best interdisciplinary science that should be funded. See the news release about the Interdisciplinary Research Consortia.  

NIH Expands National Consortium to Transform Clinical and Translational Research
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., has announced the expansion of the national consortium that is transforming how clinical and translational research is conducted at academic health centers across the country. Ultimately, this consortium will enable researchers to provide new treatments more efficiently and quickly to patients. Funded through Clinical and Translational Science Awards (CTSAs), the consortium adds 12 more academic health centers to the 12 announced last October. When fully implemented in 2012, 60 institutions will be linked together to energize the discipline of clinical and translational science. See further information about the CTSAs.
 
NIH Director's New Innovator Awards
NIH will accept applications for the 2008 NIH Director's New Innovator Award Program from March 3 -31, 2008. The program was created in 2007 to support a small number of new investigators of exceptional creativity who propose bold and highly innovative research approaches that could potentially have a major impact on important problems in biomedical and behavioral science. The proposed research need not be in a conventional biomedical or behavioral discipline but must be relevant to the mission of NIH. See information about the Innovator Award program.  Also see a list of FAQs about the NIH Director's New Innovator Award.

NIDCR Patient Advocates Forum
Planning has begun for the 9th annual Patient Advocates Forum, which will be held April 21, 2008, on the NIH campus. The one-day meeting is an opportunity to enhance communication between patient advocacy organizations and NIDCR and to bring the patient perspective to Institute planning and research.

WHO Director Delivers Lecture on Climate Change and Health
On December 10, Dr. Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization, delivered the David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture to an overflow crowd on the NIH campus. View the videocast of her lecture, entitled "Climate Change and Health." Also see the lecture transcript. The annual lecture series honors the late David E. Barmes, a long-standing World Health Organization employee, special expert for international health in the NIDCR Office of International Health, and ardent spokesman for global health. The lecture is jointly sponsored by the NIDCR and the Fogarty International Center.

SCIENCE ADVANCES

TP53 and the Prognosis of Head and Neck Cancer
The TP53 gene encodes a multi-purpose protein that takes part in regulating the cell cycle, carrying out programmed cell death, initiating DNA repair, and regulating the transcription of a large cassette of genes that cells employ for various biological purposes. Given its many essential functions, TP53 is frequently found inactivated in tumor cells, including those that cause most head and neck cancers, as a means to co-opt the cell cycle. In the December 20, 2007 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, a team of NIDCR grantees and colleagues evaluated the prognostic value of TP53 mutations in 420 head-and-neck cancer patients treated with surgery only and whose survival was tracked for several years thereafter. Detecting TP53 alterations in the tumors of 53 percent of participants, the scientists found that collectively these mutations were associated with decreased overall survival. This was particularly so for a subset of TP53 mutations that affected the ability of its protein to function as a transcription factor. The research was conducted by M. Luana Poeta, Judith Manola, Meredith A. Goldwasser, Arlene Forastiere, Nicole Benoit, Joseph A. Califano, John A. Ridge, Jarrard Goodwin, Daniel Kenady, John Saunders, William Westra, David Sidransky, and Wayne M. Koch at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, the University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Dana–Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, the University of Miami–Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, and the University of Kentucky, Lexington.

Scientists Discover Candidate Salivary Markers for Sjogren’s Syndrome
Three years ago, scientists supported by the NIDCR began taking the first full inventory of the proteins that normally are produced in our salivary glands. Now, one of those scientists and his colleagues offer a first glimpse into how this new research tool can be applied to detect subtle changes in the protein content of a person’s saliva that may be linked to an oral or systemic disease. As reported in the November issue of the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism , the scientists detected 42 proteins and 16 peptides in saliva that clinically discriminated between people with the primary form of Sjőgren’s syndrome and healthy volunteers. These data far surpass previous efforts to identify protein biomarkers for primary Sjőgren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune condition of the salivary and tear glands that affects about two million Americans, mainly women. The scientists also identified 27 distinct gene transcripts that were over produced in the saliva of those with primary Sjogren’s syndrome. The senior author is Dr. David Wong at the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry. He collaborated with Shen Hu, Jianghua Wang, Jiska Meijer, Sonya Ieong, Yongming Xie, Tianwei Yu, Hui Zhou, Sharon Henry, Arjan Vissink, Justin Pijpe, Cees Kallenberg, David Elashoff, and Joseph A. Loo.

Researchers Seek Subphenotypes for Oral Clefts
As reported in the October issue of the Journal of Dental Research , NIDCR grantees and colleagues examined a mixed group of people in Brazil to see if clefts and dental anomalies could be used in combination to define new subphenotypes of clefting. Among the 500 people in the study with clefts, the researchers found 23 had multiple dental anomalies. Of those, 20 people had tooth agenesis, most frequently involving the lateral incisor on the non-cleft side of the mouth. The researchers propose that the improper development of the lateral incisor may suggest incomplete forms of bilateral clefts of the lip. The research was conducted by A. Letra, R. Menezes, J.M. Granjeiro, and A.R. Vieira at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo, Brazil, and the Biology Institute, Fluminense Federal University, Brazil.

Mussel Inspired Polymer Coating Reported
Dopamine is one of several catecholomines, or chemical compounds derived from the amino acid tyrosine. In the October 19 issue of the journal Science , NIDCR grantees and colleagues report they have developed an aqueous, dopamine-rich solution that, through simple dip coating of objects, forms versatile polymer coatings. Inspired by the composition of natural adhesive proteins in marine mussels, the scientists found their method of dopamine self polymerization formed thin, surface-adherent polydopamine coatings on a variety of inorganic and organic materials. They included: noble metals, i.e., those that are resistant to corrosion or oxidation; oxides; polymers, semiconductors; and ceramics. The scientists reported, “Polydopamine coatings can, in turn, serve as a versatile platform for secondary surface-mediated reactions . . . This two-step method of surface modification is distinctive in its ease of application, use of simple ingredients and mild reaction conditions, applicability to many types of materials of complex shape, and capacity for multiple end users.” The authors of the study are Haeshin Lee, Shara M. Dellatore, William M. Miller, and Phillip B. Messersmith at Northwestern University.

Scientists Identify Muscle Forming Cells
In the September issue of the journal Nature Biotechnology , an NIDCR grantee and colleagues report for the first time that they have prospectively identified myogenic, or muscle-forming, endothelial cells in human skeletal muscle. The cells, which co-express myogenic and endothelial protein markers, differentiated into muscle, bone, or cartilage-forming cell lineages. Importantly, the scientists found they could use these cells to regenerate muscle fibers in mice that had skeletal muscle injuries. The cells also proved to be quite amenable to biotechnological processing. As the scientists concluded, “These properties [ease of biotechnological processing], together with their high muscle-regeneration ability, suggest that such autologous progenitors could be envisioned as a therapy for muscle diseases.” The research was conducted by Bo Zheng, Baohong Cao, Mihaela Crisan, Bin Sun, Guangheng Li, Alison Logar, Solomon Yap, Jonathan B Pollett, Lauren Drowley, Theresa Cassino, Burhan Gharaibeh, Bridget M Deasy, Johnny Huard and Bruno Péault at the University of Pittsburgh.

RESEARCH TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

NIDCR Now Participating in F31 Award
NIDCR is now participating in the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellows (F31). NIDCR issued the Notice on December 28, 2007.  See additional details about the NRSA awards.

New Program Announcements

Support of Competitive Research (SCORE) Research Advancement Award
Release Date: November 16, 2007
(SC1)
(SC2)

Highlights
NIDCR K22 awardee Hui Wu, PhD, has received his first R01 (DE017954) entitled “Glycosylation & Function of an Oral Streptococcal Adhesin.” Dr. Lee is completing his K22 award this year, and is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

NIDCR K22 awardee Theodora Danciu, DMD, DMSc, has transitioned to the independent phase of the K22 award, moving from Harvard University to a tenure-track position at the University of Michigan, where she will continue her K22 research project, “The Role of FoxC1 in BMP-Mediated Msx2 Induction.” (K22-DE016614)

Recent publications from K awardees include:

Chen Q , Sun B , Wu H , Peng Z , Fives-Taylor PM . Differential roles of individual domains in selection of secretion route of a Streptococcus parasanguinis serine-rich adhesin, Fap1 . J Bacteriol 2007 Nov;189(21):7610-7 . (K22 DE14726)

Aghaloo TL , Amantea CM , Cowan CM , Richardson JA , Wu BM , Parhami F , Tetradis S . Oxysterols enhance osteoblast differentiation in vitro and bone healing in vivo. J Orthop Res. 2007 Nov;25(11):1488-97. ( K08 DE015800)

Baker OJ , Camden JM , Rome DE , Seye CI , Weisman GA . P2Y2 nucleotide receptor activation up-regulates vascular cell adhesion molecular-1 expression and enhances lymphocyte adherence to a human submandibular gland cell line. Mol Immunol. 2008 Jan;45(1):65-75. ( K08 DE017633)

Nicodemus GD , Villanueva I , Bryant SJ . Mechanical stimulation of TMJ condylar chondrocytes encapsulated in PEG hydrogels. J Biomed Mater Res A. 2007 Nov;83(2):323-31. ( K22 DE016608)

Yu T , Ye H , Chen Z , Ziober BL , Zhou X . Dimension reduction and mixed-effects model for microarray meta-analysis of cancer. Front Biosci. 2008 Jan 1;13:2714-20. ( K22 DE014847)

Recent publications from F fellows include:

Cannick GF , Horowitz AM , Garr DR , Reed SG , Neville BW , Day TA , Woolson RF , Lackland DT . Use of the OSCE to evaluate brief communication skills training for dental students. J Dent Educ. 2007 Sep;71(9):1203-9

Braly A , Darnell LA , Mann AB , Teaford MF , Weihs TP . The effect of prism orientation on the indentation testing of human molar enamel. Arch Oral Biol. 2007 Sep;52(9):856-60.

Development. 2007 Sep;134(18):3283-95.

Eames BF , Allen N , Young J , Kaplan A , Helms JA , Schneider RA . Skeletogenesis in the swell shark Cephaloscyllium ventriosum. J Anat. 2007 May;210(5):542-54.


TRAINING OUTREACH

Hinman Dental Student Research Symposium
Dr. Albert Avila, extramural training officer, participated in the Hinman Dental Student Research Symposium held in Memphis, TN, November 2-4. NIDCR provides support for this annual meeting, which this year brought together over 80 dental students from schools around the country and Canada to present their research projects. Dr. Avila gave a presentation on research opportunities available for dental students through NIDCR including grants, fellowships, and training opportunities in NIDCR intramural laboratories.

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
Dr. Deborah Philp, director of the Division of Intramural Research Office of Education and Dr. Avila both attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students held in November in Austin, TX. Dr. Avila disseminated information to postdocs, predocs, undergraduate students, and faculty on NIDCR’s training, fellowships, and career development opportunities. He discussed the training opportunities available through the NIH Diversity Supplement and how this mechanism can be used to increase the number of minorities in research. Dr. Philp spoke to students, professors and researchers interested in research opportunities at NIDCR and described the research experience at the Institute and at NIH. In addition, she disseminated training and research materials.

NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival
On October 12, Dr. Philp participated in a career panel discussion on the benefits of postdoctoral training at NIH during the NIH National Graduate Student Research Festival. She described her postdoctoral experiences at NIDCR and how this training prepared her for her current career. She also spoke to students about the many training opportunities offered at NIH.

Additional Meetings
Dr. Philp attended the Society for Neuroscience meeting held November 3-7 in San Diego, CA along with Dr. John Kusiak, director of the Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Program. She met with students, postdoctoral fellows and researchers and distributed research, training and grant application materials. In addition, she attended the meeting of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), held October 11-14 in Kansas City, MO. During the meeting she met with students, instructors and researchers interested in NIDCR research, spoke at length about the intramural research experience, and disseminated training and research opportunity materials.

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

New Program Announcements
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology in Biology and Medicine
Release Date: December 18, 2007
R01
R21

Meeting of Saliva-Based Diagnostics Program Grantees
Dr. Eleni Kousvelari, associate director for biotechnology and innovation, organized and chaired the annual meeting of the NIDCR U01 grantees of “The Saliva-Based Diagnostics Program.” The meeting was held December 10-12 in New York.

DIVISION OF EXTRAMURAL RESEARCH

New Program Announcements

NIH Revision Awards for Studying Interactions Among Social, Behavioral, and Genetic Factors in Health Release Date: January 8, 2008 
R01
R21
P01, P20, P50, P60, U01, U10, U54

Human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) Research Using Non-Embryonic Sources
Release Date: December 13, 2007
R01
R21

Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancer for the Year 2008 and 2009 (P50)
Release Date: October 30, 2007
 

Technology and Methods Development for Genomics, Population Genomics and ELSI (R01)
Release Date: September 28, 2007

Feasibility Studies to Develop Technology and Methods for Genomics, Population Genomics and ELSI (R21)
Release Date: September 28, 2007

Research on Malignancies in the Context of HIV/AIDS (R01, R21)
Release Date: September 13, 2007 
R01
R21

Genetic Susceptibility & Variability of Human Structural Birth Defects (R01)
Release Date: October 19, 2007

New Requests for Applications
Developing Complex Models of Oral Health Behavior (R21)
Release Date: December 26, 2007

Responses to Requests for Applications 

Centers for Research to Reduce Disparities in Oral Health
Numerous applications were received on November 15 in response to the competitive renewal of the Centers for Research to Reduce Disparities in Oral Health. The RFA was open to current Oral Health Disparities Centers as well as to new applicants. A special emphasis panel is being convened to review the applications.

Translational Application of Gene Silencing Strategies to Oral and Craniofacial Disorders (R21)
Release Date: September 13, 2007
Thirty applications were received for the November 26, 2007 receipt deadline. The review is planned for February/March.

NIH Roadmap Epigenomics Program RFAs
The Roadmap Epigenomics Program stimulates research to test the hypothesis that the origins of health and susceptibility to disease are, in part, the result of epigenetic regulation of the genetic blueprint. Specifically, epigenetic mechanisms that control stem cell differentiation and organogenesis contribute to the biological response to endogenous and exogenous forms of stimuli that result in disease. In November, the first series of six funding opportunity announcements were released:

Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers (U01)

Epigenomics Data Analysis and Coordination Center – EDACC (U01)

Discovery of Novel Epigenetic Marks in Mammalian Cells (R01)

Discovery of Novel Epigenetic Marks in Mammalian Cells (R21)

Technology Development in Epigenetics (R01)

Technology Development in Epigenetics (R21)

Dr. Lillian Shum, director of the Mineralized Tissue and Salivary Gland Physiology Program, is a member of the Implementation Group.

Practice Based Research Networks (PBRNS)
The three NIDCR PBRNs continue to recruit new practitioners and expand the repertoire of studies proposed and approved. The PBRNs now include more than 700 practitioners in 25 states and 3 countries in Scandinavia. Each has begun development of at least one randomized controlled trial along with several additional clinical studies of interest to practicing dentists.

The following randomized controlled trials are in various stages of development:

• Pulp capping MTA vs. calcium hydroxide (PRECEDENT)
• Computer-assisted relaxation learning for dental needle phobia (PRECEDENT)
• Effectiveness of treatment of tooth abrasion and erosion (PEARL)
• Smoking Cessation (involves dental hygienists) (DPBRN)

The following studies are in various stages of development and progress:

• Deep caries outcome study (PEARL)
• Outcomes of endodontic treatment when performed by general dentists (PEARL)
• Analgesic use patterns and effectiveness in general dentistry (PEARL)
• Assessment of postoperative hypersensitivity (PEARL)
• Oral disease prevalence survey (PRECEDENT)
• Salivary markers in caries risk assessment (PRECEDENT)
• Reasons for placing the first restoration in a permanent tooth (DPBRN)
• Reason for repair or replacement of dental restorations (DPBRN)
• Assessment of risk factors for osteonecrosis of the jaws in patients prescribed bisphosphonates (transPBRN)

The NIDCR-funded PBRN National Monitoring Committee (NMC) meeting was held by teleconference on November 9. The meeting was organized and conducted by Dr. Donald DeNucci, PBRN director. The committee reported that the PBRNs were making good progress and provided several useful recommendations to NIDCR and the PBRNs.

Planned PBRN Symposia
Plans are underway for Dental PBRN symposia to be held during the following meetings in 2008 in conjunction with NIDCR 60th Anniversary activities:

• Chicago Midwinter Meeting, Chicago, February 21-24, 2008
• American Association of Dental Research, Dallas, April 2-5, 2008
• National Oral Health Conference, Miami, April 28-30, 2008
• Academy of General Dentistry, Orlando, July 16-20, 2008
• Fédération Dentaire Internationale Annual Meeting, Stockholm, September 24-27, 2008
• American Dental Association Annual Meeting, San Antonio, October, 16-19, 2008

Professional Activities

9th International Conference on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues
NIDCR, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and the Office of Rare Diseases co-sponsored the 9th International Conference on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues , held November 4-8 in Austin, TX. The conference brought together investigators who presented state-of-the-knowledge on the formation, biochemical, molecular and ultrastructural characterization and pathogenesis of mineralized tissue in model systems including bone, cartilage and teeth, invertebrates and ectopic mineralization. The conference provides a forum in which investigators from diverse disciplines, united by their common interest in mineralized tissues, can exchange ideas, discuss and debate controversial concepts, and stimulate new studies.

Workshop on Surveillance of Total Fluoride Exposure
Dr. Shum presented a talk on “NIDCR-supported research on fluoride and fluorosis” at the Workshop on Surveillance of Total Fluoride Exposure organized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The workshop, held November 6-7 in Atlanta, GA, aimed to 1) identify, review, and assess the strengths and limitations of existing and promising methods to measure total fluoride exposure as a tool for population-based surveillance, and 2) identify research gaps to improve the validity and reliability of promising techniques as surveillance tools.

Oral HIV/AIDS Research Alliance
Dr. Mostafa Nokta, director of the Aids and Immunosuppression Program, organized and participated in the investigators’ meeting of the Oral HIV/AIDS Research Alliance AIDS Clinical Trials Group held in Washington D.C. on October 12-16. The investigators discussed progress in meeting the scientific priorities of their research agenda, future directions, and new collaborations.

American Academy of Oral Medicine
Dr. Jane Atkinson, director of the Clinical Trials Program, presented a talk on “Management of Xerostomia” at the meeting of the American Academy of Oral Medicine held November 3 in Washington, D.C.

135th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Public Health Association
Dr. Maria Canto, director of the Epidemiology and Health Promotion Research Program, attended the 135th Annual Meeting and Exposition of the American Public Health Association and was the moderator for the session entitled “Healthy People 2010-2020: Oral Health.”

Native American Research Centers for Health Conference
Dr. Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, director of the Health Disparities Research Program, was an invited speaker at the Indian Health Services’ Native American Research Centers for Health (NARCH) Conference held at NIH in November. The conference highlighted the work of the existing NARCH Centers and provided information related to future initiatives. Dr. Nowjack-Raymer’s presentation on “Oral Health Research: American Indian / Alaska Native Communities and Investigators” focused on opportunities for cross-cutting research and training relative to the oral health disparities experienced by Native peoples and the need for a cadre of researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Other meetings attended by NIDCR staff:
30th Annual Meeting of the Society of Craniofacial Defects
CDC Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention meeting
Institute of Medicine Consensus Panel on Homelessness
NCI Head and Neck Steering Committee
NIDA Meeting on Social Neuroscience: Developing More Effective Behavioral Interventions
Society for Neuroscience

Dr. Lumelsky Interviewed by Journal
Dr. Nadya Lumelsky, director of the Tissue Engineering and Dental and Craniofacial Regenerative Medicine Research Program, was interviewed by BioTechniques for an article assessing the current status and future directions of tissue engineering research. The article appeared in the November issue.

Publications
Nowjack-Raymer RE, Sheiham A (2007). Numbers of Natural Teeth, Diet, and Nutritional Status in US Adults. J Dent Res, 86:1171-5.

Domingo DL, Freeman AF, Davis J, Puck JM, Wu. TX, Holland SM and Hart TC (2007). Novel intraoral phenotypes in hyperimmunoglobulin-E syndrome Oral Disease, (Online Early Articles)

Warburton G, Nikitakis NG, Roberson P, Marinos NJ, Wu TX, Sauk JJ, Ord RA, Wahl SM (2007). Histopathological and lymphangiogenic parameters in relation to lymph node metastasis in early stage oral squamous cell carcinoma. J Oral Maxillofac Surg, 65(3):475-84.

Dye BA, Barker LK, Selwitz RH, Lewis BG, Wu TX, Fryar CD, Ostchega Y, Beltran ED, Ley E (2007). Overview and Quality Assurance for the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) Oral Health Component, 1999-2002. Comm Dent Oral Epidemiol, 35(2):140-51.

Pihlstrom BL, Michalowicz B, Atkinson J, Kingman A. Clinical trials involving oral diseases. Chapter on Dental Clinical Trials, in Clinical Trials Handbook, John Wiley, NY (in press).

Abstracts:
Domingo DL, Sloan JL, Mitchell S, Wu TX, Hart TC and Stew DR (2007). Neurofibromatosis type 1: novel phenotypes involving mineralized craniofacial tissues (ASHG 2007)

DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH

Board of Scientific Counselors Review
On September 26-28, the Board of Scientific Counselors and ad hoc panel members conducted their quadrennial review of Drs. John Cisar, Paul Kolenbrander, Abner Notkins and John Thompson from the Oral Infection and Immunology Branch, as well as Dr. Nick Ryba from the Laboratory of Sensory Biology. Because of time constraints, the review was formally completed via conference call on October 23.

Graduate Partnership Student Wins Award
Ms. Mildred Embree, an NIH graduate program partnership member, won first prize (the Eric James Award) for best oral presentation of PhD work on November 2 at the Medical University of South Carolina. Ms. Embree’s research, performed in the Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch, was entitled “Toward Understanding the Role of Biglycan and Fibromodulin in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis.” She is the first dental student to win this prestigious award.

Selected Publications from the DIR
Basile J.R., Gavard J., Gutkind J.S. Plexin-B1 utilizes RHOA and ROK to promote the integrin-dependent activation of AKT and ERK, and endothelial cell motility. J. Biol. Chem., 282:34888-34895, 2007.

Bi Y, Ehirchiou D, Kilts TM, Inkson CA, Embree MC, Sonoyama W, Li L, Leet AI, Seo BM, Zhang L, Shi S, Young MF. Identification of tendon stem/progenitor cells and the role of the extracellular matrix in their niche. Nat Med. 2007 Oct;13(10):1219-27. Epub 2007 Sep 9.

Cotrim AP, Sowers A, Mitchell JB, Baum BJ. Prevention of Irradiation-induced Salivary Hypofunction by Microvessel Protection in Mouse Salivary Glands.
Mol Ther. 15:2101-6, 2007

Hart ES, Kelly MH, Brillante B, Chen CC, Ziran N, Lee JS, Feuillan P, Leet AI, Kushner H, Robey PG, Collins MT. Onset, progression, and plateau of skeletal lesions in fibrous dysplasia and the relationship to functional outcome. J Bone Miner Res.22:1468-74, 2007

Harashima, S. Harashima, C., Nishimura, T., Hu, Y., Notkins, A.L. Overexpression of the Autoantigen IA-2 Puts Beta Cells into a Pre-Apoptotic State: Autoantigen-Induced, but Non-Autoimmune Mediated, Tissue Destruction. Clinical and Experimental Immunology. 150:49-60, 2007

List K., Currie B., Scharschmidt T.C., Szabo R., Shireman J., Molinolo A., Cravatt B.F., Segre J., Bugge T.H. Autosomal Ichthyosis with Hypotrichosis Syndrome Displays Low Matriptase Proteolytic Activity and Is Phenocopied in ST14 Hypomorphic Mice. J Biol Chem. 282:36714-23, 2007

Liu S., Wang H., Currie B.M., Molinolo A., Leung H.J., Moayeri M., Basile J.R., Alfano R.W., Gutkind J.S., Frankel A.E., Bugge T.H., Leppla S.H. Matrix metalloproteinase-activated anthrax lethal toxin demonstrates high potency in targeting tumor vasculature.
J Biol Chem. 2007 Nov 1; [Epub ahead of print]

Liu X, Cheng KT, Bandyopadhyay BC, Pani B, Dietrich A, Paria BC, Swaim WD, Beech D, Yildrim E, Singh BB, Birnbaumer L, Ambudkar IS. Attenuation of store-operated Ca2 current impairs salivary gland fluid secretion in TRPC1(-/-) mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 104:17542-7. Epub 2007 Oct 23. PMID: 17956991 [PubMed - in process]

Martin D., Galisteo R., Ji Y., Montaner S., and Gutkind J.S. A NF-κB gene expression signature contributes to Kaposi’s Sarcoma Virus vGPCR-induced direct and paracrine neoplasia. Oncogene, in press [Epub ahead of print].

Mavragani CP, Niewold TB, Moutsopoulos NM, Pillemer SR, Wahl SM, Crow MK. Augmented interferon-alpha pathway activation in patients with Sjögren's syndrome treated with etanercept. Arthritis Rheum. 56:3995-4004, 2007 [Epub ahead of print]

Patel VN, Knox SM, Likar KM, Lathrop CA, Hossain R, Eftekhari S, Whitelock JM,
Elkin M, Vlodavsky I, Hoffman MP. Heparanase cleavage of perlecan heparan sulfate modulates FGF10 activity during ex vivo submandibular gland branching morphogenesis. Development. 2007;134(23):4177-86.

Sacchetti B, Funari A, Michienzi S, Di Cesare S, Piersanti S, Saggio I, Tagliafico E, Ferrari S, Robey PG, Riminucci M, Bianco P. Self-renewing osteoprogenitors in bone marrow sinusoids can organize a hematopoietic microenvironment. Cell. 2007 Oct 19;131(2):324-36.

Schmidt M, Voutetakis A, Afione S, Zheng C, Mandikian D, Chiorini JA.
AAV12: A Novel AAV Serotype with Sialic Acid and HSPG Independent Transduction Activity. J Virol. 2007 Nov 28; [Epub ahead of print]

Shi J, Son MY, Yamada S, Szabova L, Kahan S, Chrysovergis K, Wolf L, Surmak A, Holmbeck K. Membrane-type MMPs enable extracellular matrix permissiveness and mesenchymal cell proliferation during embryogenesis. Dev Biol. 2007 Oct 23; [Epub ahead of print]

Voutetakis A, Zheng C, Wang J, Goldsmith CM, Afione S, Chiorini JA, Wenk ML, Vallant M, Irwin RD, Baum BJ. Hum Gene Ther. 2007 Nov;18(11):1109-18. Gender differences in serotype 2 adeno-associated virus biodistribution after administration to rodent salivary glands.

Wagenaar-Miller R.A., Engelholm L.H., Gavard J., Yamada S.S., Gutkind J.S., Behrendt N., Bugge T.H., Holmbeck K. Complementary roles of intracellular and pericellular collagen degradation pathways in vivo. Mol Cell Biol. 2007 Sep;27(18):6309-22.

Yamada KM, Cukierman E. Modeling tissue morphogenesis and cancer in 3D. Cell. 2007; 130(4):601-10.

Yip, V. L. Y., J. Thompson, and S. G. Withers. 2007. Mechanism of GlvA from Bacillus subtilis: A detailed kinetic analysis of a 6-phospho-alpha-glucosidase from glycoside hydrolase Family 4. Biochemistry. 46: 9840-9852.

Zhang Y, Zhou Z-H, Bugge TH, Wahl LM. Urokinase plasminogen activator stimulation of monocyte matrix metalloproteinase-1 production is mediated by plasmin-dependent signaling through annexin A2 and inhibited by inactive-plasmin. J Immunol. 2007;1:179(5):3297-304.

COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES

Public Inquiry Response and Publication Distribution
NIDCR’s Office of Communications and Health Education (OCHE) and its National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse responded to over 12,500 public inquiries and distributed more than 2 million publications in 2007.

Since the last meeting of the NADCRC, OCHE exhibited and distributed NIDCR patient and health professional education materials at the American Public Health Association annual meeting in Washington, DC, November 3-7, and the World Congress and Exposition on Disabilities in Washington, DC, November 15-17.

NIDCR materials were also displayed at the following venues:

• Celebra la Vida con Salud (Hispanic health fair tour) in San Jose, CA (October 17), Fullerton, CA (October 19), and Miami (November 6)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Health Fair, October 12
• Drug Prevention and Wellness Fair, Rockford Illinois, October 15
• NIH preschool

Science Updates and News Releases
OCHE staff produced summaries of recent research findings on the following topics: molecular mechanisms of neural crest specification; subphenotypes for oral clefts; bottled water use and dental caries; coatings for nanomaterials; muscle-forming endothelial cells; and a mussel inspired polymer coating. Staff also wrote a news release and produced a video about the dental caries and cleft lip/palate studies funded as part of the NIH Genes, Environment, and Health Initiative. Visit the NIDCR web site to read the most recent "Science News in Brief" summaries and news releases.

Interviews with Oral Health Researchers
OCHE also developed three "Q&A" interviews for the "Inside Scoop" section of the web site. The first is with Dr. Wendell Yarbrough from the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee about a new growth-inhibiting tumor suppressor gene called LZAP. The second interview describes work by Dr. David Wong of the UCLA School of Dentistry to identify candidate salivary biomarkers for Sjogren’s syndrome. The third reports on a recent article in the New England Journal that evaluates p53 mutations in head and neck cancer patients and their possible implications for prognosis.  See these and other NIDCR Inside Scoop interviews.

“Healthy Mouth for Your Baby” Fact Sheet Online
OCHE produced a black and white, two-page version of “A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby,” in response to requests from Head Start and others for an easy-to-photocopy format of this popular publication. See the online photocopy friendly version. 

"Women in Dental Research" Video Now Available
NIDCR grantees Dr. Deborah Greenspan, Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, and Dr. Marjorie Jeffcoat are featured in the new “Women in Dental Research” video. The extended version of the video also includes an interview with former Institute deputy director Dr. Dushanka Kleinman, plus links to NIDCR’s summer internship program. A joint effort of NIH’s Office of Science Education and Office of Research on Women's Health, the video is part of a series meant to inspire young women ages 11 to 18 to pursue careers in biomedical research. Order a free copy of “Women in Dental Research,” on the Office of Science Education website. 

New NIDCR Website On Its Way
A new NIDCR website will be launched in the coming months. See a sneak preview: 













Informed by website user surveys and extensive usability testing with researchers, students, educators, patients, dental and medical care providers, and public health professionals, the new site features:

• simplified navigation
• pictures to help users identify what particular section of the site is for them
• fewer clicks to accomplish key tasks
• updated and new content
• an “A to Z” index
• updated graphic design

Other Meetings Attended by NIDCR Staff
American Public Health Association

PERSONNEL UPDATE

Thomas Murphy Appointed Associate Director for Management
Mr. Thomas Murphy was appointed associate director for management on October 28. As NIDCR’s executive officer he will be responsible for the Institute’s administrative functions, ethics program, and management controls program. Mr. Murphy began his Federal career at NIH as the LAN Administrator for the then National Institute of Dental Research and became chief of the Institute’s Technology Section. In 1999 he was assigned by the NIDCR Director as special assistant for information technology and later that year became NIDCR's first chief information officer (CIO) and director of NIDCR’s Office of Information Technology. In 2006, Mr. Murphy assumed the dual role of CIO and deputy executive officer and in September 2006 became the acting executive officer for NIDCR. He graduated with a BA from the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, and received a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University of Maryland.

Michelle Culp Named Director, Office of Clinical Trials Operations and Management
Ms. Michelle Culp, MPH, was appointed director of the new Office of Clinical Trials Operations and Management on November 25. The OCTOM will provide operational and management support to the Institute’s clinical research studies, including clinical trials and epidemiological studies; coordinate the implementation of clinical research studies across the NIDCR; develop and maintain a pharmacovigilance program for the NIDCR clinical research program; serve as the Institute’s liaison to FDA regulatory affairs services for clinical trials and as liaison for access to pilot lot production of investigational agents for clinical evaluation. OCTOM will work closely with scientists in both the DER and the DIR to expand and advance NIDCR’s clinical research agenda.

Ms. Culp brings a wealth of experience in clinical trials management, evaluation and monitoring to the Institute. For the past 14 years she has held progressively responsible positions in the private sector and the NIH -- most recently with NIAID -- where she designed and managed a clinical research operations program, oversaw the development of pharmacovigiliance reporting systems, supervised clinical operations, and oversaw implementation of clinical research management systems.

Kathryn Carbone Appointed Deputy Scientific Director
Dr. Kathryn M. Carbone joined the NIDCR Division of Intramural Research as deputy scientific director, effective November 11. Dr. Carbone earned her AB at Harvard-Radcliffe College and her MD at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine. After internship, postdoctoral research, and a clinical fellowship in infectious diseases at The Johns Hopkins University, she remained at JHU from 1988-1996 as an assistant and then associate professor of medicine. In 1996 Dr. Carbone joined the Food and Drug Administration as chief of the Laboratory of Pediatric and Respiratory Viral Diseases, where she most recently served as associate director for research. Dr. Carbone is ABIM Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases.

Dr. Bruce Baum Elected to Institute of Medicine
Dr. Bruce Baum, chief of NIDCR's Gene Transfer Section, Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch, was elected to the Institute of Medicine. The Institute of Medicine has a total active membership of 1,538. According to IOM President Harvey V. Fineberg, "Members are elected through a highly selective process that recognizes people who have made major contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care, and public health. Election is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of medicine and health."

Dr. Henning Birkedal-Hansen Retires
Dr. Henning Birkedal-Hansen, associate director for program development and acting director of the Division of Extramural Activities, retired on December 31. Dr. Birkedal-Hansen also served as director of NIDCR’s Division of Intramural Research from 1994 to 2004. Prior to joining the NIDCR, he was assistant dean for research and graduate affairs, chairman of the Department of Oral Biology, and director of the Research Center in Oral Biology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.