ACTIVITIES OF THE NIDCR DIRECTOR
Since the last meeting of the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council (NADCRC), NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak has maintained an active schedule meeting with dental schools, professional organizations, and research groups to discuss the NIH Roadmap initiative and future directions in NIDCR research. He also hosted Congressional and legislative representatives on the NIH campus and continued his leadership role on the NIH Information Technology Working Group that he co-chairs, and membership on the NIH Steering Committee that oversees governance issues at NIH.
In October, Dr. Tabak delivered the keynote address on “The Future of NIH: A Closer Look at the Roadmap,” at the annual meeting of the Association of Independent Research Institutes (AIRI) in Grand Rapids, MI. He gave presentations at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Dentistry’s “Celebrate Research” Program in Vancouver, BC, on “The Post-Genomic Era Enters the Mouth” and “Current Developments at NIDCR.” In November he discussed “The NIH Roadmap and Research Teams of the Future” at the Association of American Medical Colleges 2004 Annual Meeting in Boston and delivered a talk about the role of the NIDCR in the NIH Roadmap at the American Dental Education Association’s Deans’ meeting in Tucson, AZ. At the annual meeting of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges in San Diego, CA, he gave a presentation on “The NIH Roadmap and its Linkage to Interdisciplinary Research on University Campuses.” Later in November, Dr. Tabak traveled to Israel where he attended the CJP/Hadassah International Solidarity Medical Conference on “Building a Better World Through Medicine II.” He also spoke at the Hadassah School of Dental Medicine and Tel Aviv University.
On December 1, Dr. Tabak hosted Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ms. Megan Milam, his legislative assistant, during their visit to the NIH campus and the NIDCR (see story, p. 18).
Activities of the Acting NIDCR Deputy Director
Acting Deputy Director Henning Birkedal-Hansen continues to guide the development of the Implementation Plan for the NIDCR Strategic Plan and provide leadership to the NIDCR Office of Research Training, Career Development, Research Infrastructure and Curriculum Development. On October 12, Dr. Birkedal-Hansen participated with the Director, NIDCR in the meeting of the American Association for Dental Research National Affairs Committee in Alexandria, VA. He also attended the Mucosal Immunology Workshop convened by the NIDCR in October, and gave a brief presentation on NIDCR activities to the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs.
ACTIVITIES OF THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER, USPHS
Since the last meeting of the NADCRC, Dr. Dushanka Kleinman has been involved in numerous professional and public health activities. She continued to chair the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) Chief Professional Officers’ Board and oversee the activities of the Dental Category of the US PHS Commissioned Corps. The transformation of the Corps is ongoing and proposals for management of the Corps are under review by the agency heads and the Secretary, DHHS. Recruitment and retention of officers to serve in underserved areas, especially in the Indian Health Service, remains a challenge. During this time, Dr. Kleinman also participated as the delegate from the U.S. Public Health Service at the 145th Annual Session of the American Dental Association House of Delegates, held October 1–5, 2004, in Orlando, FL. She gave testimony to various reference committees and on the floor during the House of Delegates meeting. She also participated in the National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias (NFED) Access to Oral Health Care Meeting, held October 7–9 in St. Louis, MO, and presented an overview of the Surgeon General’s Report on Oral Health at the Leadership Seminar Series sponsored by the American Medical Student Association Foundation on October 22 in Washington, D.C. She attended the Annual Conference of the American Public Health Association, held November 6-10 in Washington, D.C., and delivered a presentation on “A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health: An Update” to the Oral Health Section on November 8. On November 15-16, Dr. Kleinman took part in the 110th Annual Meeting of the Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S. (AMSUS) in Denver, CO. While there she met with representatives from the other Federal dental services and the American Dental Association.
BUDGET UPDATE
FY 2004
Including the effect of administrative reductions and the transfer-out of $1.3 million to support NIH Roadmap projects, NIDCR’s appropriation was $382.0 million.
Funding for research project grants was $231.7 million, in support of 681 awards. The Centers program was funded at a level of $12.4 million, which will support 7 center awards. Seven phase II Dental School Infrastructure Development grants were awarded. Additionally, 90 Research Career Development Award (RCDA) awards and 333 full-time training positions were funded.
FY 2005
Including the effect of Department-wide reductions, NIDCR’s appropriation is $391.6 million. Of this amount, $2.5 million is reserved to fund NIH Roadmap projects. Research project grant funding would be increased to $235.1 million to support an estimated 679 awards. The research centers program would be maintained at 7 awards, and an estimated 87 RCDA awards and 346 full-time training positions would be funded.
FY 2006
Information regarding the FY 2006 budget for NIDCR will not be available until public release, currently scheduled for February 7.
NIH/NIDCR UPDATE
Implementation of the NIDCR Strategic Plan
NIDCR staff continues development of the NIDCR Strategic Plan Implementation Plan. Two working group sessions were held on September 29, 2004—one on “Craniofacial Developmental Biology and Bone Research,” and the other on “Head and Neck Cancer.” A summary report of the discussions will form the basis for further development of the Implementation Plan. Selected members of the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council (NADCRC), the NIDCR Board of Scientific Counselors, the NIDCR Division of Intramural Research, and invited outside experts attended the working groups.
NIDCR Evaluates Future Directions in Oral Mucosal Immunity Research
The NIDCR hosted a meeting on October 25-26, 2004 in Bethesda, MD, to evaluate and discuss the Institute’s current portfolio of research on oral mucosal immunity. The invited participants, composed of leading scientists in the area of mucosal immunology and related areas, were asked to make recommendations about the future development of research on this topic specifically within the mission of NIDCR and the state-of-the-science of oral mucosal immunology by identifying existing and emerging scientific opportunities. Discussions culminated in the identification of four key research areas in need of further support:
1. How is the oral mucosal immune system defined?
2. What are the key genes that convey protection?
3. What endogenous and exogenous factors stimulate or suppress the immune response in the oral cavity?
4. What are the mechanisms involved in the regulatory systems that control oral mucosal immunity?
The participants concluded the conference by discussing ways to advance oral mucosal immunity research through collaborations and partnerships, better access to research resources, and attraction of more mucosal immunologists to the field of oral immunology.
NIDCR FY 2005 Funding Plan
Information about the new FY 2005 Extramural Funding Plan is available on the NIDCR web site.
NIH Establishes Website for New Investigators
The NIH Office of Extramural Research has established a web site with resources for new investigators. See the new OER website.
NIH Awards 1,400 New Student Loan Repayment Contracts
NIH awarded student loan repayment contracts to more than 1,400 health researchers across the nation in FY 2004. The contracts for FY 2004 totaled nearly $68 million. Loan repayment is awarded competitively to health professionals who commit to engage in research careers. Over half of the awards went to researchers who completed their doctoral degrees within the past five years. More than 40 percent of the awardees hold M.D. degrees, 34 percent have Ph.D.s, 9 percent have M.D./Ph.D. degrees, and 7 percent have other doctoral degrees.
In 2004, NIDCR funded fourteen individuals for loan repayment. Nine of the fourteen individuals funded have a DDS/DMD/DDS-PhD/DMD-PhD.
The NIH Loan Repayment Programs can repay up to $35,000 of qualified educational debt for health professionals pursuing careers in clinical, pediatric, contraception and infertility, or health disparities research.
NIH Roadmap to Develop Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Network
As part of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research, NIH provided approximately $6 million in fiscal year 2004 to fund six primary research sites and a statistical coordinating center for a Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) network. This trans-NIH initiative, managed by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), aims to develop ways to measure patient-reported symptoms such as pain and fatigue and aspects of health-related quality of life across a wide variety of chronic diseases and conditions. See more information about PROMIS.
2005 NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Program Opens
On January 10, NIH announced the opening of the 2005 NIH Director’s Pioneer award, a key component of the NIH Roadmap. Unlike other NIH grants, which support research projects, the Pioneer Award supports individual scientists. The award gives recipients the intellectual freedom to pursue new research directions and highly innovative ideas that have the potential for unusually great impact. The program is open to scientists at all career levels. Awardees must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents. In September 2005, NIH expects to make five to ten new Pioneer Awards of up to $500,000 in direct costs per year for five years. The self-nomination process includes a three- to five-page essay, a biographical sketch, a list of current research support and the names of three references. Nominations may be submitted between March 1 and April 1, 2005, on the Pioneer Award Web site.
Recently Issued NIH Roadmap Initiatives:
Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Career Development Programs
Predoctoral Clinical Research Training Programs
Assay Development for High Throughput Molecular Screening
Pilot-Scale Libraries for High-Throughput Screening
New Methodologies for Natural Products Chemistry
Interdisciplinary Training: Behavior, Environment and Biology
Novel Preclinical Tools for Predictive ADME-Toxicology
Recently Issued NIH Roadmap Notice:
NIH-RAID PILOT: Translational Cores Resources Pilot Project
Recently Issued NIH Notice:
NIH Announces Updated Criteria for Evaluating Research Grant Applications
Dr. David Schwartz Appointed Director of NIEHS
On October 25, Dr. Zerhouni announced the appointment of Dr. David Schwartz as the new director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP). Schwartz currently serves as director of the Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Division and vice chair of research in the Department of Medicine at Duke University. While at Duke, Dr. Schwartz played a principal role in developing three interdisciplinary Centers in Environmental Health Sciences, Environmental Genomics, and Environmental Asthma. He will join NIH on April 4, 2005.
Proteomics Standards Weighed at NIH Roadmap Workshop
A two-day meeting on Proteomics Standards was held at NIH on January 4-5 as part of the Building Blocks, Biological Pathways and Networks Roadmap initiative. The general goal of the meeting was to develop a community-based plan and mechanisms for its implementation for the consistent analysis, representation, dissemination and publication of proteomic data. See the videocast of the NIH Roadmap Workshop meeting.
NIDCR Co-Sponsors Lecture by LEE Jong-Wook, WHO Director-General
On December 6, NIDCR and the Fogarty International Center cosponsored the 4th annual 2004 David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture on the NIH campus. LEE Jong-wook, M.D., MPH, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), presented the lecture, entitled “Health Challenges for Research in the 21st Century.” The lecture was well attended by NIH staff and guests, including two of Dr. Barmes children, as well as the Director of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme, the Regional Advisor for Oral Health from PAHO, staff from the DHHS Office of Global Health Affairs, the Deputy Surgeon General of the US Public Health Service, and representatives from global dental organizations.
See the videocast of the LEE Jong-Wook's lecture.
SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES
Researchers Report Early Success Using Saliva to Detect Oral Cancer
NIDCR-funded scientists report taking a major step forward in using saliva to detect oral cancer. As published in Clinical Cancer Research, the scientists found they could measure for elevated levels of four distinct cancer-associated molecules in saliva and distinguish with 91 percent accuracy between healthy people and those diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma. This so-called “proof-of-principle” study marks the first report in the scientific literature that distinct patterns of “messenger RNA” not only are measurable in saliva but can indicate a developing tumor. Messenger RNA (mRNA) is the molecular intermediate between gene and protein, serving as a chemical record that an individual gene has been expressed. According to David Wong, D.M.D., D.M.Sc., a scientist at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and senior author on the paper, it may be possible with further refinement of the test, possibly by including additional cancer-linked mRNAs, to attain the necessary 99 to 100 percent accuracy of commercial diagnostic tests for oral squamous cell carcinoma, the sixth most common cancer in the United States. Wong noted that currently no biochemical or genetic diagnostic tests are commercially available for oral cancer.
Latest Microarray Gene Profiles of Head and Neck Cancer
Since their introduction in the mid 1990s, cDNA microarrays have allowed cancer researchers to record the expression patterns of hundreds or even thousands of genes at once in just about any cell type. Scientists hope these data will point them to a subset of genes that might be more directly involved in turning normal cells neoplastic, key clues in understanding the biology of tumor cells. In the November 1, 2004 issue of the International Journal of Cancer, NIDCR scientists and colleagues report the gene expression profiles of 25 well-characterized squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Their microarray data suggest that different cellular pathways might have been altered within two broad subgroups of cell lines to turn them neoplastic. Researchers on the study included Geoung A. Jeon, Ju-Seog Lee, Vyomesh Patel, J. Silvio Gutkind, Snorri S. Thorgeirsson, Eun Cheol Kim, In-Sun Chu, Panomwat Amornphimoltham, and Myung Hee Park of the NIDCR Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch and the Laboratory of Experimental Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute.
Functional Imaging of the Human Trigeminal System: Opportunities for New Insights into Pain Processing In Health and Disease
Inflammation and nerve injury can lead to persistent pain due in part to sensitization of neurons in the spinal cord and brain. While molecular and cellular changes are relatively easy to measure in animal models of nociception, changes that occur in humans are more difficult to assess and may be different from those in animals. NIDCR-supported researchers recently were able to measure activation of human trigeminal ganglia, spinal cord areas, and distinct parts of the brain by non-invasive functional magnetic imaging (fMRI) techniques. Overall, their results suggest that several aspects of nociception observed in rodent models of acute and chronic pain have similar human counterparts, including central sensitization and somatotopic representation of pain processing. The importance of these studies lies in the demonstration that human nociception can be assessed non-invasively in the trigeminal system and in the implication that fMRI may be a useful clinical tool to evaluate normal and abnormal neural processing in humans with chronic orofacial pain conditions. The research appeared in the Journal of Neurobiology and was conducted by David Borsook, Rami Burstein, and Lino Becerra at the McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Massachusetts.
New Data On Prevalence of Dental Caries in Immigrant Children
Many dentists and physicians have noticed firsthand that children from developing nations often have major unmet dental needs when they immigrate to the United States. Yet, little data exist on what these needs typically are. Recently, a team of NIDCR grantees and colleagues published in the journal Pediatrics a much-needed survey of the prevalence of dental caries in over 200 newly arrived immigrant children from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. The children, who ranged in age from six months to 18 years old, were examined as a part of the Refugee Health Assessment Program of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
The researchers found that African refugee children had significantly lower dental caries experience as well as fewer untreated caries compared with similarly aged Eastern European refugee children. They were also less likely to have ever been to a dentist. Possible reasons for these findings may include differences in exposure to natural fluoride in the drinking water, dietary differences, access to professional care, and cultural beliefs and practices. The prevalence of caries experience and untreated caries differed significantly between refugee children and US children, and the differences varied significantly by race. When refugee children were compared with US children, the African refugee children had only half the caries experience of either white or African American children. However, African refugee children had similar likelihood of having untreated caries as compared with African American children, despite the fact that very few African children had previous access to professional dental care. These findings are consistent with previous studies on health disparities in the United States. White refugee children, primarily from Eastern Europe, were also 3 times as likely to have caries experience compared with either white or African American children and were 9.4 times as likely to have untreated caries as white US children. Refugee children are more likely to establish primary medical care before seeking dental treatment. The authors of the study are S. Cote, P. Geltman, M. Nunn, K. Lituri, M. Henshaw, and R. Garcia.
MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS
World Health Organization (WHO) Holds Meeting on Craniofacial Anomalies
In December, the WHO held a meeting on International Collaboration to Reduce the Health Care Burden of Craniofacial Anomalies. Dr. Rochelle Small, director of the Developmental Biology and Genetics Program, attended the meeting, which brought together investigators involved in craniofacial anomalies research. Participants assessed the progress of the project and made recommendations for future activities. They also reviewed the outcome of the four proposed research areas (genetics, gene-environmental interaction, prevention and treatment) and the comprehensiveness of the international database; discussed publications that will emerge from the project and dissemination of information; and addressed key concerns about what continuing research and information activities are essential.
A web site for the Global Registry and Database on Craniofacial Anomalies has now been launched.
The database contains tables and figures showing global clefting rates.
NIH Workshop on Clinical Trials
In response to a request from the NIH Director, the Office of Medical Applications of Research organized a workshop on “Moving from Observational Studies to Clinical Trials: Why Do We Sometimes Get it Wrong?” The workshop explored how mistakes can be avoided when deciding whether or not to launch large, definitive clinical or community trials. Dr. Richard Mowery, director of the NIDCR Clinical Trials Program, represented the NIDCR at the January 11-12, 2005 workshop, which was held at NIH.
Conferences Sponsored by the NIDCR
Over the past few months, the NIDCR has provided support for the following conferences:
*8th International Conference on the Chemistry and Biology of Mineralized Tissues, held October 17-22, in Banff, Canada. The conference brought together investigators who presented the state-of-the-knowledge in mineralized tissue research. Dr. Lillian Shum, director of the Physiology, Pharmacogenetics and Injury Program, attended the conference and gave a presentation on NIH funding opportunities in this area of research. She also met with new investigators.
*National Meeting of the American Society for Matrix Biology, held November 10-13 in San Diego, CA. Dr. Yasaman Shirazi, director of the Epithelial Cell Regulation and Transformation Program, attended the meeting and met with NIDCR grantees and potential applicants. She also briefed attendees on NIDCR efforts to support research in head and neck cancer.
Workshop Held to Establish Research Agenda for Latino Oral Health
Dr. Maria Canto, director of the Epidemiology Research Program, together with Drs. Francisco Ramos-Gomez of the University of California San Francisco’s Center to Address Disparities in Children’s Oral Health, Gustavo Cruz of New York University, and Augusto Elias of the University of Puerto Rico, organized a workshop designed to establish a research agenda for Latino oral health, called “Latino Oral Health Issues: A Research Agenda for the 21st Century.” The workshop was held in conjunction with the meeting of the Hispanic Dental Association in San Juan, PR. Sixty researchers from throughout the U.S. attended the workshop. Dr. Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, director of the NIDCR Health Disparities Research Program, also participated as a speaker and facilitator.
Other meetings attended by staff:
26th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
38th Winter Conference on Brain Research
44th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Cell Biology
44th Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
American College of Physicians Foundation: Conference on Moving Forward to Improve Health Literacy
American Dental Education Association’s National Minority Recruitment and Retention Conference
American College of Rheumatology Annual Meeting
American Public Health Association Meeting
American Society for Cell Biology
DARPA BioCOMP Conference on Biocomputation
Materials Research Society Annual Fall Meeting
Mouse Models of Human Cancer Consortium Implementation Meetings
Multi-Agency Tissue Engineering Sciences (MATES) Working Group
National Gene Vector Laboratory (NGVL) Steering Committee Meeting
National Oral Health Coordinating Committee
NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee Working Group on Health Disparities
NIH Community Hispanic NHANES Planning Committee
Optical Imaging 2004
Protein-Protein Interactions for the Mammalian Nervous System
Research Centers for Minority Institutions International Conference
Society for Neuroscience 34th Annual Meeting
Task Force on Design and Analysis
Trans-NIH Informatics Committee
Trans-NIH NHANES Committee meetings
U.S. Public Health Service Oral Health Coordinating Committee
INTRAMURAL OFFICE OF EDUCATION UPDATE
Summer Dental Student Award Program
Information about the Summer Dental Student Award Program was mailed to all dental school deans and an e-mail announcement was distributed to various listservs and newsletters. NIDCR accepted applications through January 17, 2005 for the Summer Dental Student Award. The program promotes the professional careers of talented dental students through exposure to the latest advances in oral health research. Working with mentors, students gain hands-on experience in basic or clinical research. NIDCR provides a competitive stipend for a minimum of eight weeks during the summer. Participation in the program may result in presentation of research findings at a scientific meeting and co-authorship of scientific publications.
NIH-Duke Training Program in Clinical Research
Information was distributed to all NIDCR fellows regarding the application process for the 2005 NIH-Duke Training Program in Clinical Research. This distance-based learning program, offered via videoconferencing at the NIH Clinical Center, provides an exciting opportunity for NIH physicians, dentists, and allied health professionals to receive a Master’s degree in clinical research conferred by Duke University School of Medicine.
Career Transition and Grant Writing Workshop Held
The NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education recently hosted a “Career Transition and Grant Writing Workshop” for all NIH fellows. The workshop included two components: “Grant Writing for Success” and “Peer Review of the NIH Research Grant Applications.” Dr. Anthony M. Coelho, Jr., review policy officer, NIH Office of Extramural Research, presented both components.
Workshops Held on Application and Interview Process for Graduate, Dental, and Medical School
The NIH post-baccalaureate intramural research training award (IRTA) committee and the NIH Office of Intramural Training and Education recently sponsored a series of workshops on the application and interview process for graduate, dental, and medical school. The workshops were primarily directed toward NIH post-baccalaureate trainees.
In addition, the NIH Graduate Partners Program (GPP) presented a workshop on opportunities available to current post-baccalaureates interested in attending graduate school in collaboration with NIH. The NIH GPP has teamed up with several outstanding U.S. and European universities to create a unique approach to Ph.D. education. In general, students complete the majority of their coursework preparation at the home university and then do their dissertation research in whole, or in part, at NIH. A hallmark of the GPP is the focus on helping students develop higher order skills by purposefully and carefully creating dissertation research projects that span labs at the home university and NIH, or between labs at NIH. Students emerge from this type of experience exceptionally prepared for a career as an independent investigator, and ready for collaborative, interdisciplinary research that is rapidly becoming the norm.
RESEARCH TRAINING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Recently Issued Program Announcements (PAs):
Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research
PA Number: PA-05-015
NIH released new guidelines for “Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research. “ Principal investigators holding specific types of NIH research grants are eligible to support administrative supplements to improve the diversity of the research workforce by supporting and recruiting students, postdoctorates, and eligible investigators from underrepresented groups. Candidates eligible for this program include individuals from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Recently Issued Requests for Applications (RFAs):
NIDCR released its new clinical T32 training program, the NIDCR Kirschstein-NRSA Institutional Clinical Research Training Award on November 10, 2004. Applications are due by March 22, 2005.
Revision of Training Grant Mechanisms
NIDCR is revising several of its training grant mechanisms to provide more focus and clarity in the intent of the awards:
The NIH Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08)
The K08 award is now more in line with its original intent to provide Ph.D. training for dental students, and cannot be used to fund clinical specialty training:
The NIDCR Scholar Development and Faculty Transition Award (K22)
This award is now open only to applicants pursuing both phases of the award mechanism; researchers already in a tenure track position are not eligible to apply for only the Faculty Transition phase of the award.
The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
In keeping with the Program Announcement and with NIH policy, the K23 can only be used for training in patient-oriented research, which by definition must involve direct interaction with human subjects (i.e., secondary data analysis or laboratory work on banked tissues or cell lines not collected from patients by the investigator are not eligible uses of this mechanism).
Update on Enhancing Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building for U.S. Dental Institutions
The seven grantees of the program for Enhancing Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building for U.S. Dental Institutions have started grant activities, including meetings of the external and internal advisory committees and magnet investigator recruitment. Because these were funded under a cooperative agreement mechanism, an NIDCR staff member is required to be on the External Scientific and Program Advisory Committee (ESPAC) of each grantee. By the time the NADCRC meets in January, NIDCR staff will have participated in ESPAC meetings at the University of Illinois, Chicago; Baylor/Texas A&M; University of Colorado; University of Florida; and University of Connecticut. The two remaining grantees, the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and the Medical University of South Carolina, have ESPAC meetings scheduled by the first week of March.
Training Opportunities
In conjunction with travel to dental schools to attend ESPAC meetings, Kevin Hardwick, NIDCR extramural training officer, also schedules visits with NIDCR-funded trainees, training directors, and graduate research students and undergraduate dental students to discuss opportunities through NIDCR’s training program mechanisms. Dr. Hardwick also visited the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio to conduct a site visit of the T32 Institutional Training Grant program there and visited with research students.
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
Staff attended the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) in November in Dallas, TX. The conference is an outstanding venue for outreach and recruiting underrepresented minorities who are interested in pursuing biomedical science careers. The meeting attracted approximately 1,645 undergraduate students, 300 graduate students and 750 faculty and administrators. NIDCR research was represented in the large number of oral and poster presentations. Drs. George Taylor, Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, Ronald Dubner, and Mary MacDougall mentored students who gave presentations on dental, oral and craniofacial research.
International Symposium on Health Disparities
Staff attended the National Center for Research Resources Division of Research Infrastructure 9th Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) International Symposium on Health Disparities in Baltimore, MD, on December 8-11. The conference attracted minority researchers from across the nation who discussed issues related to minority health and health disparities. The RCMI program is a congressionally mandated program supporting 18 institutions located primarily in urban centers in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia. The scientific sessions highlighted research on diabetes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular diseases, neuroscience, and emerging technologies in addressing health disparities. For the first time, the symposium also offered a session on oral health. NIDCR scientists—Drs. James Beck, George Taylor, and Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque--played an important role in raising awareness of dental, oral and craniofacial research at the symposium.
NIDCR Research Experience Arranged for Graduate Student from Bronx/Lebanon Hospital
In July 2003, staff initiated a dialogue with the director of Bronx/Lebanon Hospital’s Dentistry and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Programs concerning dental, oral and craniofacial research and training programs. Bronx/Lebanon Hospital attracts a substantial number of minorities into its General Practice Residency and Pediatric Dentistry Residency Programs. Many of the residents have been engaged in research while in dental school and would like to continue to develop their knowledge and skills in oral health research. The director stated his desire and commitment in supporting individuals interested in research, and inquired about a resident spending research time in one of NIDCR’s intramural laboratories. As a result of the meeting, Dr. LeKecia McGee will spend six weeks (February 28-April 4) in the Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch, Division of Intramural Research. Dr. McGee graduated from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry and has been involved in research in college and dental school.
DIVISION OF BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES
Development of the Oralgen Database
Dr. Dennis Mangan, director of the Microbiology and Microbial Pathogenesis Program, attended a workgroup meeting in January to discuss further development of the Oralgen database at the Los Alamos National Laboratories. This electronic resource is a one-stop web site to search the genomic sequences of oral bacteria for genes of interest and to make comparisons with other medically important bacteria. Currently, the database contains:
Porphyromonas gingivalis
Streptococcus mutans
Fusobacterium nucleatum
and the recently added genomes of:
Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans
Treponema denticola
Prevotella intermedia and Streptococcus sanguis sequences should become available this summer. The goals of the database project are to: upgrade the website to make it more user friendly; make proteome comparisons of all available Bacteroides spp.; help investigators prepare mini-monographs on oral microbe virulence factors; form partnerships with NIDCR-funded genome centers to help decipher hypothetical genes from metagenomics projects; and advertise the Oralgen resource to the microbiology research communities. The bioinformatics team at Los Alamos also is in the process of developing a virtual genome that will contain all possible microbial genes to expedite identification of orthologs and xenologs and improve annotation of bacterial genomes.
Recently Issued PAs:
Multidisciplinary Research on Oral Manifestations Associated With HIV/AIDS
Research on Malignancies in AIDS and Acquired Immune Suppression
Recently Issued RFAs:
Protein Profiles of the Oral Mucosal Tissues in HIV/AIDS
Leadership for HIV/AIDS Clinical Trials Networks
CENTER FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION
Grantees Meet to Discuss Saliva-Based Diagnostic Technologies
The third annual meeting of the grantees of the saliva-based diagnostic technologies U01s was held in Boston, MA on December 12-13. The meeting provides a forum for scientific discussions among the grantees and enables them to discuss and set new milestones for the upcoming fiscal year. It also provides an opportunity for them to discuss grants management issues with NIDCR staff.
Recently Issued Program Announcements (PAs):
Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (SBIR/STTR)
Notices:
Additional Receipt Dates for Bioengineering Research Partnerships (PAR-04-023)
Responses to RFAs:
Nineteen grant applications were received in response to RFA-DE-05-005, “Regenerative Dental Medicine.” The applications were reviewed on November 4, 2004.
DIVISION OF CLINICAL RESEARCH AND HEALTH PROMOTION
NIH Looking at Providing Liability Insurance to Those Serving on Data and Safety Monitoring Boards
Dr. Richard Mowery, chief of the Clinical Trials Program, served as a member of a trans-NIH committee organized by NIH Director Elias Zerhouni that looked at current practices across NIH institutes and centers (ICs) for providing liability insurance to people who serve on Data and Safety Monitoring Boards. A survey was prepared by the committee to gather relevant information. Information also was gathered from selected industries that support clinical trials. In addition, the Federal regulations related to Special Government Employees, consultants, and volunteers were reviewed. A “white paper” based on the findings is being prepared for Dr. Zerhouni and IC directors.
National Fluoride Database and Intake Assessment Study
On October 29, the Nutrient Data Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), released a new database listing the level of fluoride in 400 food and beverage items. The database is available for use by researchers who need to estimate the amount of fluoride that individuals consume on a daily basis.
NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Data Resource Center Update
Over the past few months, several additions have been made to the NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Data Resource Center:
- Programming efforts were completed to place data from NHANES on the DRC web site
- Tables from the 2003 Annual Report of Oral Health Statistics were completed and are being added to the site
- The DRC web site query system was expanded to include data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2002
- Three indicators—dental visits, tooth loss due to disease, and preventive care—were added to the database
- The web site has been expanded to include a 2005 calendar of meetings and events of interest to the oral health community
- The catalog of surveys and archive of procedures related to oral health has been updated with new surveys and the most recent survey data made available. In addition, the catalog has been redesigned and program interfaces changed to increase usability and user friendliness
The DRC web site will be migrated to the CDC after the current contract ends in August 2005. Dr. Jeffrey Hyman, project manager of the NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Data Resource Center, has negotiated with CDC regarding support, costs, collaborations, reprogramming and other issues.
New Program Announcements (PAs)
NIDCR Exploratory and Developmental Grants in Clinical Research
NIDCR Small Research Grants for Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology
Research on Mind-Body Interactions and Health
Community Participation In Research
Responses to RFA
Three applications were received in response to the RFA entitled, “Prospective Studies on Craniofacial Pain and Dysfunction” (RFA-DE-05-007).
Responses to PAs
Numerous applications focused on oral health were received in response to the PAs entitled “Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R01) and “Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03).”
Recent Publications
Dye BA and Selwitz RH. The relationship between selected measures of periodontal status and demographic and behavioral risk factors. J Clinical Periodontology (in press).
Graham JA, Horowitz AM, Canto MT. Coverage and quality of oral cancer information in selected popular press: May 1998 to July 2003. J Public Health Dent 2004; 64:231-36
Reid BC, Hyman JJ, Macek MD. Race-ethnicity and untreated dental caries: The impact of material and behavioral factors. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol 2004; 32(5):329-36.
DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH
Intramural Research Presented to NIH Director
On November 29, scientists from five DIR branches discussed their research with Dr. Zerhouni, who was accompanied by Dr. Michael Gottesman, deputy director for intramural research, and Dr. Philip S. Chen, Jr., senior advisor to Dr. Gottesman. Also present were Drs. Lawrence Tabak, Director, NIDCR and Robert Angerer, scientific director, DIR. Short presentations were followed, and often interrupted by, lively discussion. Kenneth M. Yamada, M.D., Ph.D., chief, Craniofacial Development and Regeneration Branch, spoke about “How Cells Organize Matrix, Adhesions, and Organs.” Nicholas Ryba, Ph.D., Taste and Smell Unit, Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, discussed “Mammalian Taste: Receptors, Cells, Signaling and a Glimpse of the Logic.” Michael J. Iadarola, Ph.D., Neuronal Gene Expression Unit, Pain and Neurosensory Mechanisms Branch, described “A New Treatment for Intractable Pain, Using Vanilloid Receptor Ion Channel Activation.” Pamela Gehron-Robey, Ph.D., chief, Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch, addressed “Fibrous Dysplasia of Bone: a Skeletal Stem Cell Disease.” Bruce J. Baum, D.M.D., Ph.D., chief, Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch, discussed progress in “Restoring Fluid Secretion via Human Aquaporin-1 Gene Transfer to Irradiated Salivary Glands.”
Congressman Simpson Visits the DIR
On December 1, the NIH hosted a visit by Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID) and Ms. Megan Milam, his legislative assistant. Dr. Zerhouni greeted the visitors and provided an update on the status of the NIH Roadmap. The visit also included tours of the new Mark O. Hatfield Clinical Research Center led by Dr. John Gallin, Director, Clinical Center, and of the Children’s Inn, led by executive director Tyrrell Flawn and Anne Swire, director of development and public relations. Congressman Simpson also met with Dr. Francis Collins, Director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, for a discussion of the Human Genome Project and with representatives from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, including Drs. Allen Spiegel, Director, Marvin Gershengorn, scientific director, and David Harlan (chief) and Allan Kirk, Transplantation and Autoimmunity Branch.
During his hour-and-a-half in the NIDCR dental clinic, Congressman Simpson met with Drs. Lawrence Tabak, NIDCR Director, Robert Angerer, scientific director, Thomas Hart, manager, Clinical Research Core, Pamela Robey, chief, Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch (CSDB), and Michael Collins, staff clinician, CSDB. Dr. Robey described the work of the branch on the properties of adult stem cells and their potential use in tissue engineering. Dr. Collins discussed how clinical studies on fibrous dysplasia, a disease that affects skeletal stem cells, have suggested evidence-based changes in clinical management of these patients. Dr. Hart discussed the use of stereophotoimaging of the face to identify individuals with various genetic conditions that are not easily diagnosed. With the assistance of Dr. Natalia Tomona, clinical research fellow, he illustrated the use of this technique in identifying individuals affected by Fanconi’s anemia.
DIR Researchers Interviewed for Friends of the NIDCR Video
The Friends of the NIDCR have produced a video that includes interviews with NIDCR intramural researchers Gabor Illei, Mike Iadarola, Pam Robey and Bruce Baum. The researchers spoke about their research and how it may help patients.
Review by the Board of Scientific Counselors
The Board of Scientific Counselors reviewed the Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch and Molecular Structural Biology Unit on December 1-3.
Renovations
Progress continues in the upgrading of the infrastructure of the DIR, with renovation of the Craniofacial Developmental Biology and Regeneration Branch laboratories nearing completion, as well as the lobby/freezer areas shared by the Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch and the Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch. Partial completion of the administrative suite, located on the 5th Floor in Building 30, is slated for the end of January. This will unite the Administrative Office, Procurement Office, and Scientific Systems Core in one location. Renovation in the NIDCR Dental Clinic is scheduled to begin shortly to accommodate the DIR's acquisition of new, state-of-the-art imaging instrumentation that will enhance the ability to analyze and characterize craniofacial anomalies with greater sensitivity.
Significant Publications
Baum BJ, Voutetakis A, and Wang J. Salivary glands: novel target sites for gene therapeutics. Trends Mol Med 10: 585-90, 2004.
Curino A, Patel V, Nielsen BS, Iskander AJ, Ensley JF, Yoo GH, Holsinger FC, Myers JN, El-Nagaar A, Kellman RM, Shillitoe EJ, Molinolo AA, Gutkind JS and Bugge TH. Detection of plasminogen activators in oral cancer by laser capture microdissection combined with zymography. Oral Oncol 40(10):1026-32, 2004.
Egland PG, Palmer Jr. RJ and Kolenbrander PE. Interspecies communication in Streptococcus gordonii-Veillonella atypical biofilms: signaling in flow conditions requires juxtaposition. Proc Natl Acad Sci 101:16917-22, 2004.
Gupta A, Winer K, Econs MJ, Marx SJ, and Collins MT. FGF-23 is elevated by chronic hyperphosphatemia. J clin Endocrinol Metab 89:4489-92, 2004.
Ma G, Greenwell-Wild T, Lei K, Jin W, Swisher J, Hardegen N, Wild CT, and Wahl SM. Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor binds to annexin II, a cofactor for macrophage HIV-1 infection. J Exp Med 200(10):1337-46, 2004.
Montaner S, Sodhi A, Servitja JM, Ramsdell AK, Barac A, Sawai ET and Gutkind JS. The small GTPase Rac1 links the Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus vGPCR to cytokine secretion and paracrine neoplasia. Blood 104:2903-11, 2004.
Ogbureke KU and Fisher LW. Expression of SIBLINGS and their partner MMPs in salivary glands. J Dent Res 83:664-70, 2004.
Singh BB, Lockwich TP, Bandyopadhyay BC, Bidhan C, Liu X, Bollimuntha S, Brazer S, Combs C, Das S, Leenders AG, Miriam S, Zu-Hang K, Mark A, Ambudkar SB and Ambudkar IS. VMAP2-dependent exocytosis regulates plasma membrane insertion of TRPC3 channels and contributes to agonist-stimulated Ca2+ Infulx. Mol Cell 15:635-46, 2004.
Ta LE and Dionne RA. Treatment of painful temporomandibular joints with a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor: a randomized placebo-controlled comparison of celecoxib to naproxen. Pain 111:13-21, 2004.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
NIDCR Planning Grant Featured at Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) Congress
One of NIDCR’s international collaborative research planning grants was featured in the scientific program of the FDI Annual World Dental Congress, held in New Delhi, India, September 10-13. The grant, based at the University of Washington, addresses common diagnostic criteria for temporomandibular disorders (R21 DE 013722).
While attending the World Dental Congress, Dr. Lois K. Cohen, associate director for international health, contributed to programs that focused on women’s careers in dental science. Plans also were discussed for the 3rd International Women’s Leadership Conference in Dental Education, Research & Service, scheduled for August 28-30, 2005 in Montreal, Canada. The NIDCR is a co-sponsor of the activity with the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) and other global organizations.
Visits
Following the FDI meeting, Dr. Cohen traveled to Manipal and Mangelore, India, to visit the College of Dental Surgery, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. She gave a presentation on “Scientific Opportunities for International Collaborative Research” to faculty of the dental, medical, pharmacy and nursing schools and met with faculty and students to discuss specific international collaborative oral health research opportunities and potential mechanisms of support.
In October, Dr. Cohen visited the College of Dentistry, University of Southern California. She met with faculty and students currently involved in global health research activities to explore potential new initiatives related to the NIDCR global health research mission.
Global Form for Health Research
Dr. Cohen participated in a session of the Oral Health Research Special Interest Group at the Global Forum for Health Research in Mexico City on November 18. The session focused on the development of a global oral health research agenda. Other speakers included the Director of the WHO Global Oral Health Programme, the Regional Advisor for Oral Health from PAHO, the Executive Director of the International Association for Dental Research, and researchers from Mexico and the US.
COMMUNICATIONS ACTIVITIES
National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse
Patient Advocates Forum
NOHIC has begun the planning phase for logistics and support for the 6th annual Patient Advocates Forum, which will be held on May 18, 2005, on the NIH campus. The one-day meeting affords the opportunity to enhance communication between patient advocacy organizations and NIDCR and to bring the patient perspective to Institute planning and research.
NOHIC Contract
The current contract with Eagle Design and Management, Inc., to operate the National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse is nearing completion. A Request for Proposals to continue this function was issued in late September, and a review panel has been assembled to evaluate the submissions. The projected award date for the new 5-year contract is March 1, 2005.
“Science News in Brief” on NIDCR Web Site
NIDCR now has a new feature on its web site called “Science News in Brief,”
[http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/NewsAndReports/ScienceNewsinBrief-1.htm], which highlights recent NIDCR-sponsored research findings. Each entry consists of a brief overview paragraph to encourage site visitors to click on an embedded link that leads to the paper’s abstract on MEDLINE/PubMed. Science News in Brief will have new postings every week.
Dental Researchers Featured on NIH Office of Science Education Careers Web Site
NIDCR is promoting dental and dental research careers through "Lifeworks," the NIH Office of Science Education’s careers Web site for students, parents, mentors, teachers, and career counselors. Both NIDCR staff and grantees will be featured on the site, including Drs. Jennifer Cyriaque (dentist), Janice Lee (oral and maxillofacial surgeon), Sunil Wadhwa (orthodontist), and Mary Walker (prosthodontist).
"Women in Dental Research" Video and Poster
NIDCR staff reviewed contract proposals for the development of "Women in Dental Research," a video and poster kit that will be part of a series intended to inspire young women ages 11 to 18 to pursue careers in medical research. The video project is a joint effort by the NIH’s Office of Science Education and Office of Research on Women's Health.
Dissemination of Patient and Health Professional Education Materials
From June to December 2004, NIDCR exhibited and distributed patient and health professional education materials at the following events:
- American Dental Hygienists' Association Annual Session
- American Dental Association Annual Session
- Greater New York Dental Meeting
- Special Care Dentistry/International Association for Disability and Oral Health Joint Meeting
- Academy of General Dentistry Annual Meeting
- American Public Health Association Annual Meeting
- National Dental Association Convention
- Hispanic Dental Association Annual Meeting
- Hispanic Family Festival
NIDCR to Evaluate Its Web Site
NIDCR will begin evaluating its web site using the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). ACSI is a pop-up survey that takes 2-3 minutes to complete and captures a random sample of users. The goals of the survey are to measure user satisfaction with the NIDCR site, to determine who is coming to the site and why, and to learn whether they find the information they need. The results of the survey, along with future usability testing, will help determine what changes should be made to improve the NIDCR site and ensure that the content and organization meet user needs.
NIDCR is assessing its web site as part of a broad trans-NIH initiative to evaluate NIH web sites using ACSI. NIH Director Elias Zerhouni approved the use of set-aside evaluation funds for this project. About 60 NIH sites will be participating, at a total cost of $1 million.
NIDCR Web Site Wins Freddie Award
The NIDCR web site recently received a prestigious “Freddie” award. The Freddies, also known as the International Health and Medical Media Awards, were established to bring together the fields of medical science, education and the arts for an international competition devoted to educational health and medical productions. The NIDCR web site was honored with a first prize (the Freddie) in the category of Dentistry in the 2004 competition. This year’s entrants competed in 34 categories.
DIVERSITY AND EEO ACTIVITIES
NIH EEO Consolidation
Effective October 1, 2004, the NIH Institute and Center EEO Programs were centralized and incorporated into the NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM). The OEODM has been consolidated into four divisions: Division of Programs, Policy, and Diversity Management (DPDM); IC Services Division (ICSD); Division of Complaints Management and Resolution (DCMR); and the Division of Program Evaluation (DPE). The ICSD is a cornerstone of the restructured organization and will serve as EEO liaisons to the NIH institutes and centers and the first point of contact for all matters related to EEO and diversity. The ICSD is also central to the continuing exchange of information between the OEODM and all NIH employees and staff and will issue monthly newsletters on NIH and IC specific EEO program activities. The DPDM will coordinate corporate minority and disability outreach and partnership efforts across the NIH and the Division of Complaints Management and Resolution will focus on the successful resolution of workplace issues. The centralized organization will also benefit from a dedicated evaluation component assessing both the internal operating procedures and the effectiveness of the overall NIH EEO Program.
Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Update
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Management Directive 715 became effective October 1, 2004, and establishes new requirements for Federal agency Affirmative Employment Programs for minorities, women and persons with disabilities. The new directive will require agencies to identify and address barriers to affirmative employment, and to determine best practices to promote diversity in all occupations. The NIH OEODM will develop new affirmative employment requirements for the ICs in FY 2005.
Recruitment and Education Outreach
The NIDCR Office of Diversity Management exhibited at the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) annual conference on October 20-23, 2004. Contacts were made with 17 students interested in summer research internships and/or research training opportunities. Contact information was provided to the DIR director of education for follow-up for the 2005 Summer Program.
The NIDCR Office of Diversity Management coordinated and presented a trans-NIH workshop at the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society (AISES) annual training conference on November 13, 2004, in Anchorage, AK. The workshop included an overview of: the NIH organization and structure, intramural and extramural training and funding programs and opportunities, and the NIH Academy and loan repayment programs; the step-by-step process for applying to the NIH summer programs; and the Federal employment application process. Thirty-three students attended, and 31 provided contact information for follow-up by the NIH and IC Offices of Education. One-on-one sessions were held with several students following the workshop. This marked the best-attended workshop in the past three years at AISES.
Workplace Diversity Initiative
Ms. Kathleen Maguire, administrative officer, OAM, has been designated as the new diversity catalyst for the NIDCR. Ms. Maguire will work with the NIDCR EEO liaison to develop and implement programs designed to enhance the workplace environment and implement diversity best practices across the NIDCR.
PERSONNEL
Dr. Nicholas Ryba Named Chief of New Laboratory of Oral Sensory Biology
Dr. Nicholas Ryba will become chief of the new NIDCR Laboratory of Oral Sensory Biology. A tenure track investigator since 1996, he has been the senior investigator in the Taste and Smell Unit, Oral Infection and Immunity Branch since 2001. He established this unit, in what was then the Laboratory of Immunology, in 1991. Dr. Ryba’s early work focused on G protein-coupled signaling pathways that mediate perception of pheromones. Over the past six years, together with his colleagues, he has collaborated with Dr. Charles Zuker at the University of California at San Diego and made major advances in our understanding of the sense of taste and the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which different tastes are “decoded.” Dr. Ryba’s research has attracted considerable national and international interest.
Dr. Gabor Illei Joins NIDCR as Chief, Sjogren’s Syndrome Clinic
Dr. Gabor Illei recently joined NIDCR’s Gene Therapy and Therapeutics Branch as a clinical tenure track principal investigator and chief of the Institute’s Sjogren’s Syndrome Clinic. Dr. Illei received both his M.D. and Ph.D. in his native Hungary. Following post-doctoral training at Oxford University, he completed training in internal medicine at SUNY-Stony Brook and specialty training in rheumatology at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. For the past five years, he has conducted clinical studies of systemic lupus erythematosus. Dr. Illei’s focus at the NIDCR is on finding treatments for Sjogren’s syndrome that are safe and effective and target specific steps in the pathogenesis of this complex disorder. His studies will include the use of novel therapies involving immunomodulatory molecules.
Dr. Eva Mezey Heads Stem Cell Biology Unit
Eva Mezey, M.D., Ph.D., was recently recruited as a tenure track investigator to head the Stem Cell Biology Unit in the Pain and Neurosensory Mechanisms Branch. A neurobiologist by training, she has a broad range of expertise in cell biology and imaging techniques. During the last eight years, Dr. Mezey has focused on studying the fate of bone marrow derived stem cells using gender-mismatched bone marrow transplants. Her findings were some of the first to suggest that post-natal stem cells may be more "plastic" than originally thought. Recently she has made the exciting observation that hematopoietic stem cells have the ability to differentiate into cells with neuronal character, and even to form epithelial cells found in the oral cavity. Her long-term goal within the PNMB is to determine the potential use of post-natal stem cells in regenerating damaged neuronal tissues.
Dr. Wanjun Chen Heads New Mucosal Immunology Unit
Dr. Wanjun Chen was recently recruited as a tenure track investigator in immunology to head the newly established Mucosal Immunology Unit in the Oral Infection and Immunity Branch, NIDCR. His research program will focus on TGF-beta regulation of T cell immunity and tolerance, with special attention to the mucosal immune system. Dr. Chen received his M.S. from Shandong University Medical School and Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences in Jinan, China and his M.D. with a specialty in immunology from Qingdao University Medical School in Qingdao, China. He did his postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Dr. Howard Weiner at Harvard Medical School, where he studied mechanisms of mucosal and thymic immune tolerance. Dr. Chen joined NIDCR in 1997 as a senior staff fellow to study TGF-beta regulation of T cell immunity and tolerance and the mechanism of oral tolerance. He initiated studies demonstrating that TGF-beta plays a critical role in T cell apoptosis and the function and development of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells.
Dr. Kelly Ten Hagen Appointed Chief, Developmental Glycobiology Unit
Dr. Kelly G. Ten Hagen was recently recruited as a tenure track investigator and chief of the Developmental Glycobiology Unit within the Craniofacial Developmental Biology and Regeneration Branch, NIDCR. Her research program will focus on the use of model organisms to determine the role of glycosylation during embryonic development. Dr. Ten Hagen received her Ph.D. from Stanford University and trained in the laboratory of Dr. Stanely N. Cohen, where she studied eukaryotic DNA replication. She joined the NIH as a senior research fellow in NIDDK in 2001, where she initiated studies demonstrating that O-linked glycosylation is both conserved across species and essential for viability.
Wendy Liffers to Serve as Acting Executive Officer, NIH
Wendy Liffers, NIDCR associate director for policy integration, has been appointed acting executive officer in the Office of the Director, NIH. Ms. Liffers is an attorney whose 20-year Federal science policy and management career has focused on the development, management, administration and analysis of major biomedical research programs at the NIH. Her responsibilities have included operational and strategic science and program planning, program and performance management, and Congressional and intergovernmental relations and legislative analysis at the most senior levels. In her current role at the NIDCR, she is a senior advisor and counselor to NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak on a wide variety of policy concerns affecting trans-NIH programmatic and science policy issues, including the development and implementation of the NIH Roadmap. Her previous science management and advisory positions include director, Office of Science Policy and Legislation, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and deputy associate director for management and operations, NIAID.
Dr. Philip Washko Retires
Dr. Philip Washko, a scientific review administrator in the Scientific Review Branch, Division of Extramural Activities, retired from Federal service on December 31, 2004. Dr. Washko began his career with the NIDCR in 1993 after serving as a senior staff fellow with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases from 1990 to 1993.
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