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Daniel Rotrosen, M.D., Director, DAIT
Dr. Rotrosen announced the following new staff: Ms. Melinda Jones joined the Division as a Program Officer in the Asthma, Allergy, and Inflammation Branch in January 2000. Prior to her arrival, she held the position of Biologist in the NIAID Division of Intramural Research. Ms. Jones has a B.S. degree from Howard University and will earn her M.S. degree from Johns Hopkins University in May 2000. Her research experience includes molecular biology and virology.
Dr. Alison Deckhut joined the Division in December 1999, serving as a Program Officer in the Basic Immunology Branch. Dr. Deckhut received her Ph.D. degree in immunology from Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine in 1991. She then completed postdoctoral work at St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and at Johns Hopkins University Medical School, and she was appointed Senior Staff Fellow at the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke in 1997. Her research experience includes work on TCR-MHC-superantigen interactions in T cell activation, TCR usage by influenza-specific T cells, CD8 T cells specific for the SV40 Tumor (T) antigen, CD8 T cell responses to tumor-vaccinated renal cell carcinoma patients, and analyses of the cell-mediated immune responses to JC virus in humans.
Mr. John P. Ridge joined the staff of the Basic Immunology Branch, as a Program Officer, in January 2000. He completed his B.S. degree in biochemistry at University College, Galway, Ireland, and has worked extensively in immunology research, at Cornell University Medical College, the University of Virginia Medical School, and the Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology at NIAID. His most recent work addressed fundamental issues in neonatal immunology, naive T cell lifespan, and dendritic cell function in T cell activation.
Dr. Lawrence Kerr joined the Genetics and Transplantation Branch, as Chief of the Transplantation Section, in January 2000. Dr. Kerr comes to the Branch after receiving the Robert Wood Johnson Health Policy Fellowship and interning in the Office of Senator Orin Hatch. Dr. Kerr was an NIH funded Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, working on NFkB in cell cycle progression with over twenty-five peer reviewed publications. Dr. Kerr will be responsible for the Branch's transplantation efforts, including the Cooperative Clinical Trials Program.
Dr. Shiv Prasad joined the Genetics and Transplantation Branch as a Program Officer in November 1999. Dr. Prasad previously worked in the NIAID Division of Intramural Research, where he served as a postdoctoral fellow in the Laboratory of Viral Diseases. His research experience includes antigen presentation, viral immunology, gene therapy, and autoimmunity. Dr. Prasad earned his Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota and his B.S. degree from the University of Florida.
Ms. Pat Kehn joined the Genetics and Transplantation Branch in December 1999, coming directly from the NIAID Division of Intramural Research, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, headed by Dr. Mary Ann Robinson. Ms. Kehn has a long career in research with a strong publication record, and brings many important talents to the Branch, especially in the fields of cellular immunology. She worked with Dr. Ethan Shevach, Chief, Cellular Immunology Section, NIAID Laboratory of Immunology and has particular interests in gd T cells, monoclonal antibodies, T cell cytokine production, flow cytometry, autoimmune disease, apoptosis, and PCR of the TCR repertoire in mice, humans and nonhuman primates. Ms. Kehn will work with the entire Branch on important projects for new initiatives and ongoing research programs, including the Minority HLA typing contract.
Belinda M. Ash-Shaheed, M.S., joined the Clinical Immunology Branch in January 2000, after a seven-year career as a Biologist in the NIAID Division of Intramural Research, Laboratory of Clinical Immunology, Mucosal Immunity Section. As a member of MIS, under Dr. Warren Strober, Laboratory Chief, she was initially involved in studies on the role of B-cell activators in terminal differentiation of post isotype-switched B-cells. Subsequent studies focused on the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the IL-2 knockout mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease. The latter three years were spent as a member of a new unit, the Immune Cell Interaction Unit, supervised by Dr. Brian Kelsall, where she was involved in development of various murine models of IBD and the determination of the role of IL-12 suppressor agents on the outcome of IBD.
Dr. Rotrosen announced the following scientific activities:
Immune Tolerance Network: In September 1999, the Division awarded a 7-year contract to the University of Chicago to establish the Immune Tolerance Network (ITN). Under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Bluestone, approximately 70 investigators from 40 institutions in the U.S., Canada, Western Europe and Australia are participating in this new research program designed to: (1) evaluate the safety and efficacy of tolerance induction approaches in kidney transplantation, islet transplantation, autoimmune diseases, and asthma and allergic diseases; (2) conduct integrated studies of underlying mechanisms; and develop and validate assays and biomarkers of the induction, maintenance and loss of tolerance in humans. This research program is being cosponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International, and is supported by the EMMES Corporation as the Network's Statistical and Clinical Coordinating Center. Proposals for studies to be carried out by the ITN will be accepted three times each year from investigators in academia, industry and private research institutions, including researchers not currently affiliated with the Network. Information on the structure, organization, and current membership of the ITN, as well as guidelines for the preparation, review and submission of concept proposals, are located on the Network's web site at http://www.immunetolerance.org.
Hyperaccelerated Award/Mechanisms in Immunomodulation Trials: In November 1999, the Division issued Request for Applications (RFA) AI-00-005 to continue support for mechanistic studies in clinical trials of immunomodulatory interventions for immune-mediated diseases, including asthma and allergy, graft failure in solid organ, tissue and cell transplantation and autoimmune diseases. Mechanistic studies associated with clinical trials supported by industry are particularly encouraged, but clinical trials supported by any source, public or private, are eligible. In order to review and confer awards in a timely fashion, without delay to the parent or core clinical trial, NIAID has developed a pilot project in collaboration with the NIH Center for Scientific Review. Applications will be accepted and reviewed monthly and highly meritorious applications selected for funding will receive awards thirteen weeks after the application receipt date. This RFA is being cosponsored by: the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the NIH Office of Research on Women's Health.
Review of the NIAID Extramural Asthma and Allergy Research Program: On February 9, 2000, a panel of scientists drawn from the private and public sectors and encompassing a broad range of expertise will convene to review the NIAID asthma and allergy research programs. The panel will advise the Division on the scope and timeliness of ongoing research programs and assist in identifying knowledge gaps and new opportunities for the future. The recommendations of the Expert Panel will be used for scientific planning, including the development of new initiatives.
Healthy People 2010: Under the direction of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, the Department of Health and Human Services launched the Healthy People 2010 initiative in January 2000. This initiative is developing goals for increasing longevity and the quality of life, and for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities for Healthy People 2010. NIAID has participated in preparing the chapter on Respiratory Diseases, along with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Multiple Autoimmune Disease Genetics Consortium (MADGC): As part of the FY 1999 autoimmunity appropriation, a contract was awarded to North Shore University Hospital to establish a research resource for genetics of families with multiple autoimmune diseases. Under the direction of Dr. Peter Gregerson, this new resource will develop a repository of genetic and clinical data and materials collected from families in which two or more individuals are affected by two or more distinct autoimmune diseases. It will also provide materials to promote research that advances the discovery of human immune response genes involved in autoimmunity. The inaugural meeting of the consortium's scientific advisory board was held November 1, 1999.
Xenotransplantation: The Genetics and Transplantation Branch continues to represent the NIH on scientific issues in xenotransplantation, including immune-mediated rejection and infectious agents and the immune defenses that would be effective in this area. The final revised PHS Guideline on Infectious Disease Issues in Xenotransplantation is in the process of being cleared for release in the Federal Register. The Secretary of Health and Human Services has approved the establishment of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Xenotransplantation (SACX) to advise the Department on important aspects of xenotransplantation, including protocol specific details, quality of life and ethical issues for the field in general. A description of the committee and a call for nominations is posted on the NIH web site http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/sacx.htm. In addition, the Genetics and Transplantation Branch is advising the Department on the development of the National Xenotransplantation Database (NXD) which will be used to track all xenotransplant recipients to ensure appropriate surveillance for infectious or other complications.
Nonhuman Primate Cooperative Study Group: The NIAID, in collaboration with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, established this multi-center, cooperative research program to evaluate existing and new tolerance induction treatment regimens and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the induction, maintenance and/or loss of tolerance in nonhuman primate models of kidney and islet transplantation. The Principal Investigators will meet in February to review the current progress and future strategies for investigations, including working with the Immune Tolerance Network on parallel and complementary studies.
African-American, Hispanic and Native American HLA Typing: The long-standing NIAID- supported projects to improve HLA typing in minorities has recently yielded outstanding new information that will improve the ability of these populations to receive better matched solid organ, cellular and bone marrow transplants. The results of this multi-national effort, coordinated through Georgetown University and involving the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) and its laboratories, will be published in multiple papers this year. In addition, the results from these studies will be used to formulate the new DNA primers used in the 13th International Histocompatibility Working Group to develop standard typing methodologies for all HLA typing laboratories.
IMMUNOLOGICAL MEMORY
Ad hoc Council members and guests presented a highly stimulating discussion on current issues related to new insights into the induction, maintenance, and triggering of immunological memory. Moderator, Charles J. Hackett, Ph.D., Chief, Molecular and Structural Immunology Section introduced the speakers and topics: Dr. Rafi Ahmed, Emory University Vaccine Center: Dynamics of T Cell Memory; Dr. Susan Swain, Trudeau Institute: Generation of Memory Helper T cells; Dr. Philip Ashton-Rickardt, The University of Chicago: Differentiation of Cytotoxic Memory T Lymphocytes.
CONCEPT REVIEW
One concept was presented, and approved.
Asthma and Allergic Diseases Research Centers: This initiative would renew support for 7 of the NIAID Asthma and Allergic Diseases Research Centers (AADRC). This is a long-standing national network or research centers which support multidisciplinary basic and clinical research aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of asthma and allergic diseases and developing preventive strategies. back to top |