E-Newsletter: September 29, 2008

NIDCR NEWS

NIDCR Director's Statement Regarding the FY 2009 Budget Request
See the Director's Statement for the House Appropriations Subcommittee. 

"Facing the Future" Publication Available Online
NIDCR grantees and intramural scientists recently were interviewed for "Facing the Future," a web publication on research challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century.  The first chapters are now available online, with more to follow in the coming months.


NIDCR Job Openings
NIDCR is recruiting for the following positions:

Epidemiologist
Chief, Dental Consult Services (Staff Clinician)
Oral-Maxillofacial Surgeon
Animal Care and Use Committee Program Coordinator 

NIH NEWS

NIH Director to Step Down
NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. announced that he will step down at the end of October 2008 to pursue writing projects and explore other professional opportunities. A physician scientist and internationally known leader in radiology research, Dr. Zerhouni has served as NIH director since May 2002. He led the agency through a challenging period that required innovative solutions to transform basic and clinical research into tangible benefits for patients and their families.  Among the hallmarks of his tenure is the launch of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research and new programs to encourage high-risk innovative research, and a major reform of the translational and clinical research system in the United States.  See additional details about Dr. Zerhouni's announcement.

NIH Announces Initial Implementation Timeline for Enhancing Peer Review
In June 2007, NIH initiated an effort to formally review the NIH peer review system.  External and internal working groups--co-chaired by NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak--deliberated on challenges and recommendations regarding enhancements to the review system.  See the preliminary implementation plans for the 2009 through 2010 calendar years. 

NIH Announces New Transformative R01 Funding Program
NIH intends to invest more than $250 million over the next five years to foster bold and creative investigator-initiated research through a new transformative R01 (T-R01) Program. 






While R01 grants support the bulk of mainstream NIH investigator-initiated efforts, the structure and review of R01 proposals can discourage submission of the most bold, creative, and risky research proposals.  In response to these challenges, the NIH has created the T-R01 Program.  Areas of highlighted need that have been identified through a strategic planning process for the current initiative include:

Acute to Chronic Pain Transition 
Science of Behavior Change
Complex 3-D Tissue Models
Functional Variation in Mitochondria 
Formulation of Novel Protein Capture Reagents 
Pharmacogenomics  

"The T-R01 Program will pilot novel approaches to peer review to facilitate identification and support of the most ground-breaking, high impact research and augment the existing Pioneer and New Innovator Awards programs," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D.  See additional details about the T-R01 program.

NIH Increases Support for Director's Pioneer and New Innovator Awards
On September 22, NIH announced an increase in its support of high-impact research by awarding 2008 NIH Director's Pioneer and New Innovator Awards to 47 scientists, many of whom are in the early stages of their careers.  The grants, estimated to be up to $138 million over five years, enable recipients to pursue exceptionally innovative approaches that could transform biomedical and behavioral science.  

While scientists at any career level can receive Pioneer Awards, only early career investigators who have not held an NIH regular research (R01) or similar NIH grant are eligible for New Innovator Awards.  Both programs are key components of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.


See the biographical sketches of the new Pioneer Award recipients.  Also available are the biographical sketches of the New Innovator Award recipients.

NIH Helps Advance Women in Biomedical Research Careers
In an effort to advance talented women in leadership positions, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, NIH has published a Request for Applications (RFA) to support research on causal factors and interventions that promote and support the careers of women in biomedical and behavioral science and engineering.  The initiative will provide $2 - $3 million to fund up to eight R01 awards in fiscal year 2009. It also aims to test the efficacy of programs designed to eliminate sex/gender disparities and to promote the careers of women in these fields.  See additional details about the program.

Applications Now Accepted for NIH Loan Repayment Programs
NIH is now accepting applications for its extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs) and is letting applicants know through it awareness-raising campaign slogan that "You do the research. NIH will repay your student loans." 

The LRPs repay up to $35,000 of educational loan debt annually for individuals who commit to conducting at least two years of qualified biomedical or behavioral research at a nonprofit institution of their choice. The annual application cycle started September 1 and will continue until December 1, 2008, for the five extramural LRPs: Clinical Research, Pediatric Research, Health Disparities Research, Contraception and Infertility Research, and Clinical Research for Individuals from Disadvantaged Backgrounds.  
  
NIH Establishes Scientific Management Review Board
NIH has established a Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB) to examine NIH's organizational structure and balance and provide recommendations for enhancing the agency's mission through greater agency flexibility and responsiveness.  The SMRB was authorized by the NIH Reform Act of 2006 and was signed into law by the President in January 2007.  NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak has been nominated by the NIH Director to serve as a member of the newly formed board. See additional information at:

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS

Behavioral/Social Science Research

REQUESTS FOR APPLICATIONS

All Dental and Craniofacial Research

Behavioral/SocialScience Research

NIH Roadmap Initiatives

SCIENCE ADVANCES

Scientists Develop Sensitive Salivary Sensor
NIDCR-supported scientists have developed an ultra-sensitive optical protein sensor for use in future salivary diagnostic tests. The sensor achieved a limit of detection that was 100 times better than today's standard blood-based ELISA tests.   See more about the salivary sensor.



Dentin Disorders:  The Twists and Turns of Cloning the DSPP Gene
NIDCR scientists have cloned the DSPP gene, cracked its repetitive DNA sequence, and gained truly unexpected insights.  See what they have discovered about the DSPP Gene.




Science News in Brief
See the following brief summaries of recent oral health research findings:

Redundant Pathways in Tooth and Palate Development
Marker of Salivary Progenitor Cells Identified 
From Oncogenes to DNA Methylation
Defining Cells One Pathway At A Time 
A Look at Pregnancy and Dental Care
Rethinking Isolated Cleft Palate

NIDCR PERSONNEL NEWS 

NIDCR Mourns Former Director Dr. Harald Löe
Dr. Harald Löe, 82, former director of NIDR (now NIDCR) died at his home in Osteras, Norway on August 9.  He was director of NIDR from 1982 to 1994. 

Known internationally for his contributions to periodontal disease research, Dr. Löe conducted landmark clinical studies on periodontal disease, gingivitis, and antimicrobials including chlorhexidine.  During his tenure as NIDR Director, he broadened the scope of the Institute’s research to encompass all the oral and craniofacial tissues.  To support this expanded research agenda, the Institute promoted the use of research centers in which multidisciplinary teams conducted basic and clinical research.  Dr. Löe increased the Institute’s network of research centers by establishing centers focused on specific subjects including aging, materials science, craniofacial anomalies, and pain at which basic and clinical research were supported.  He additionally created regional centers for minority oral health designed to strengthen the research capability of minority institutions and to support research to improve the oral health of racial and ethnic minorities.  A staunch advocate of education, Dr. Löe established new dental research career programs, including the Dentist Scientist Award Program focused on preparing dentists for careers in research.  

Dr. Emily L. Harris Appointed Chief, Translational Genomics Research Branch
Dr. Emily Harris has been appointed chief of the Translational Genomics Research Branch (TGRB) in the Division of Extramural Research.  For the past two years, Dr. Harris has served as a program official in the National Human Genome Research Institute where she managed a portfolio of research in genome-wide association studies and statistical methods in genome-wide research.  She has extensive experience communicating with a wide variety of audiences about genetic and epidemiologic research.  At NIDCR, Dr. Harris will facilitate coordination of the basic and translational genomics research program across the NIDCR extramural programs and provide an organizational structure and the expertise to enhance NIDCR’s capabilities regarding genetics and genomics research implementing new technologies. 

Dr. Holli A. Hamilton Appointed Senior Medical Officer
Dr. Holli Hamilton recently joined the Division of Extramural Research as the senior medical officer.  She is a diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine; diplomate, subspecialty of Infectious Diseases; and a diplomate, American Board of Preventive Medicine.  Dr. Hamilton’s career spans 20 years of medical and clinical research accomplishments and contributions to the world of medical product development and safety assessment.  She is a recognized national expert in the field of clinical trials of investigational products including diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics, and a national expert on regulatory and safety assessment of these agents.  Her experience runs the gamut of clinical research from serving as a regulator at the Food and Drug Administration, to designing and implementing clinical trials at NIH, to directing the Office of Clinical Research Affairs at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), to being a senior medical director in medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry.
 
Dr. Jane Atkinson Appointed Director of Center for Clinical Research
Dr. Jane Atkinson has been appointed senior dental officer and director of the Center for Clinical Research in the Division of Extramural Research.  In 1985, she began the Oral Medicine/Clinical Research Training Program at NIDCR and subsequently joined the clinical staff.  In 2000, she became the assistant dean for clinical affairs and professor of oral medicine at the University of Maryland Dental School. She then returned to NIDCR as the deputy clinical director in 2004, and later moved to the extramural program as program director, Clinical Trials Program.  Dr. Atkinson’s primary research interests are Sjögren's syndrome and the oral health of cancer patients.  She is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine and a member of the American College of Dentistry.

Dr. James Drummond Appointed Director of the Dental and Biomaterials Program
Dr. James A. Drummond is the new director of the Dental and Biomaterials Program in the Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases Branch, Division of Extramural Research.  Dr. Drummond is a dentist scientist with extensive research experience as principal investigator in studying the physical and chemical properties of dental composites.  Prior to joining the NIDCR, he was a professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago with a joint appointment in the College of Engineering Bioengineering Program.  Dr. Drummond will manage a portfolio of research on dental materials and devices, dental implants, biocompatibility of dental restorative materials, and biomaterials for craniofacial reconstruction.

Dr. Isaac Rodriguez-Chavez Appointed Health Scientist Administrator
Dr. Isaac Rodriguez-Chavez is the new director of the HIV/AIDS and Immunosuppression Program in the Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases Branch, Division of Extramural Research. He served four years at NIAID as a program officer in the Vaccine Research Program in the Division of AIDS.  Prior to joining the NIDCR, he was a senior clinical scientist at Schering-Plough Corporation.  Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez will manage a portfolio of research on oral complications of HIV/AIDS and other viral diseases, including research on viral transmission and prevention, AIDS-related cancer complications, candida albicans oral complications, HIV oral mucosal vaccine development, and the Oral HIV/AIDS Research Alliance (OHARA) clinical trial program.

Dr. Marilyn Moore-Hoon Appointed Scientific Review Administrator
In July, Dr. Marilyn Hoon was appointed as a scientific review administrator in the Scientific Review Branch (SRB).  Dr. Moore-Hoon’s scientific experience includes serving as a research fellow, biologist, and IRTA fellow in the NIDCR.  

Dr. Victor Henriquez Appointed Scientific Review Administrator
In June, Dr. Victor Henriquez was appointed as a scientific review administrator in the Scientific Review Branch (SRB).  His scientific experience includes serving as an instructor at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and an IRTA fellow in the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.