News & Events


Related Information

  • January 2006 Council Minutes
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    Shorttakes

    January 2006 (historical)

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

    From the Director . . .

    As an Institute Director who has also headed a laboratory here on the NIH campus (in the National Cancer Institute) for many years, I have a special pride in, and commitment to, NIAMS' own Intramural Research Program (IRP). Our internationally recognized scientists are at the forefront of basic, translational and clinical research. They have mentored and trained scores of Fellows who have gone on to be leaders in their fields.

    Maintaining (and surpassing!) a tradition of such excellence requires a strong leadership team. To that end, I am pleased to announce that two IRP leaders have assumed an increased role in guiding the program: on December 1, 2005, Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D., was appointed as clinical director of NIAMS, and John O'Shea, M.D., was appointed as the Institute's scientific director.

    Dan, who heads IRP's Genetics and Genomics Branch, received his B.A. degree in philosophy summa cum laude from Princeton University in 1973, and his M.D. and Ph.D. degrees from Baylor College of Medicine. During the last 15 years, Dan's laboratory has played a leading role in defining the genetics and pathophysiology of an inherited group of disorders characterized by recurrent episodes of fever and inflammation. His group mapped and cloned the gene for familial Mediterranean fever. Later, the group discovered mutations in a tumor necrosis factor receptor as the cause of an inflammatory disorder they named and clinically characterized: TNF receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS). More recently, his laboratory co-discovered mutations in the protein cryopyrin in patients with neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). Dr. Kastner's group was also the first to propose the now widely accepted concept of autoinflammatory disease to describe certain disorders characterized by hyperactivity of the innate immune system.

    John has served as chief of IRP's Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch since 2002. He graduated from St. Lawrence University, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1974, and received his M.D. degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1978. John has made numerous contributions in the area of immune cell signaling, ranging from basic observations to explaining and treating immunological diseases. His work has provided insights into the early steps in T cell- and Fc-receptor signaling. He cloned the human protein tyrosine kinase Jak3, and showed that this kinase is an essential element in cytokine signaling. He also shed light on transcription factors employed by key immunoregulatory cytokines, work that led directly to a paradigm in cell signaling and transcriptional control. Importantly, he extended this work in two clinically relevant ways: He showed that mutations of Jak3 are the basis of autosomal recessive forms of severe combined immunodeficiency, and collaborated to develop a selective Jak3 inhibitor, which effectively blocks transplant rejection and thus represents a new class of immunosuppressants.

    Both Dan and John are recipients of numerous honors and awards. I am grateful for, and enthused about, their willingness to assume new responsibilities on the Institute's behalf.

    Research Watch . . .

    The Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus, National Assessment (SELENA) study, funded by NIAMS, demonstrates the safety of oral contraceptives in women with lupus.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2005/12_22.asp

    NIAMS, in partnership with the Arthritis Foundation, has launched the "Pediatric Rheumatic Diseases and Other Related Information for You and Your Patients" CD-ROM.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2005/11_14.asp

    Three new Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers have been funded.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Press_Releases/2005/11_04.asp

    The NIH SeniorHealth Web Site has added information on osteoporosis.

    Web site: http://nihseniorhealth.gov/osteoporosis/toc.html

    New research shows treatment compliance barriers in economically challenged, ethnically diverse arthritis and lupus patients.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2005/treatment_barrier.asp

    New findings about how skin layers form may have implications for common skin diseases.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2005/skin_layers.asp

    Pomegranate fruit may have cartilage-preserving abilities.

    Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2005/pomegranate.asp

    Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall are briefed on osteoporosis.

    Full story: http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/2005/12022005Record.pdf#nameddest=story5

    Grants and Contracts . . .

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

    Requests for Applications:

    Completion of a Comprehensive Mouse Knockout Resource, RFA-HG-05-007. Issued: September 8, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: October 20, 2005; application receipt date: November 22, 2005.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-HG-05-007.html

    Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Projects (U01), RFA-NS-06-004. Issued: January 3, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: March 10, 2006; application receipt date: April 11, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-06-004.html

    Countermeasures Against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Research Centers of Excellence (U54), RFA-NS-06-005. Issued: January 3, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: March 10, 2006; application receipt date: April 11, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-06-005.html

    Countermeasures against Chemical Threats (CounterACT) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR/U44) Awards for Therapeutics Development, RFA-NS-06-006. Issued: January 4, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: March 10, 2006; application receipt date: April 11, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-06-006.html

    Diagnostic Technologies for Chemical Threat Exposure Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR/U44) Awards, RFA-NS-06-007. Issued: January 4, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: March 10, 2006; application receipt date: April 11, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-NS-06-007.html

    Requests for Applications (NIH Roadmap):

    Planning Grants for Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Awards, RFA-RM-06-001. Issued: October 12, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: February 27, 2006; application receipt date: March 27, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-001.html

    Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award, RFA-RM-06-002. Issued: October 12, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: February 27, 2006; application receipt date: March 27, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-002.html

    Assay Development for High Throughput Molecular Screening (R03/R21), RFA-RM-06-004. Issued: November 2, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: December 29, 2005; application receipt date: January 12, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-004.html

    Pilot-Scale Libraries for High-Throughput Screening (P41), RFA-RM-06-003. Issued: December 8, 2005; letters of intent receipt dates: January 27, 2006 and September 1, 2006; application receipt dates: February 22, 2006 and September 22, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-003.html

    NIH Director's Pioneer Award Program (DP1), RFA-RM-06-005. Issued: November 18, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt date: February 27, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-005.html

    Training for a New Interdisciplinary Research Workforce (T90), RFA-RM-06-006. Issued: December 16, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: February 14, 2006; application receipt date: April 07, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-06-006.html

    Program Announcements:

    Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01), PA-06-001. Issued: October 4, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-001.html

    Small Business Innovation Research Program Parent Announcement (SBIR [R43/R44]): Electronic Submission of Grant Applications through Grants.gov, PA-06-006. Issued: October 17, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application submission date: December 1, 2005.
    http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-006.html

    Small Business Technology Transfer Program Parent Announcement (STTR [R41/R42]): Electronic Submission of Grant Applications through Grants.gov, PA-06-007. Issued: October 17, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application submission date: December 1, 2005.
    http://grants2.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-007.html

    Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative - SBIR (R43/R44), PA-06-009. Issued: October 20, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-009.html

    NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (R13/U13), PA-06-041. Issued: October 26, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-041.html

    Academic Research Enhancement Award (R15), PA-06-042. Issued: October 26, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-042.html

    Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (K25), PA-06-087. Issued: December 2, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-087.html

    Exploratory/Developmental Program for Translational Research in Muscular Dystrophy (R21), PAR-06-043. Issued: November 30, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-043.html

    Translational Research in Muscular Dystrophy (U01), PAR-06-044. Issued: November 30, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-044.html

    NIAMS Small Grant Program for New Investigators (R03), PAR-06-111. Issued: December 23, 2005; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt date: February 24, 2006.
    http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-111.html

    Highlights From the Hill, DHHS and NIH . . .

    Lupus Congressional Briefing and Luncheon

    On September 22, Elizabeth Gretz, Ph.D., Program Director in the Rheumatic Diseases Branch, NIAMS, spoke about lupus research at a congressional briefing and luncheon hosted by the Lupus Research Institute National Coalition and Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY). Dr. Gretz was joined by Dr. Josiah Wedgwood, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Immunodeficiency and Immunopathology Section, Clinical Immunology Branch, NIAID. Also on the program were speakers from the HHS Office of Women's Health and the FDA.

    Chronic Pain Briefing

    On September 30, the NIAMS Coalition, in conjunction with Partners for Understanding Pain, sponsored a briefing on chronic pain on Capitol Hill. The briefing, "Reducing the Cost of Chronic Pain Through NIH Research," was one of the events to recognize September as National Pain Awareness Month and was well attended by House and Senate staffers. The panel of speakers offered attendees a well-rounded perspective on the impacts of chronic pain on individuals of all ages, as well as the economic and social impacts. Cheryl Kitt, Ph.D., Director of the NIAMS Extramural Program, and Deborah Ader, Ph.D., Director of the NIAMS Behavioral and Prevention Research Program, spoke about ongoing and future pain-related research at NIAMS.

    Budget Update

    FY 2005

    In FY 2005, NIAMS funded 244 new and competing continuation applications for a success rate of 20.2 percent; the overall NIH success rate is estimated to be 22.3 percent. A table displaying actual dollar levels by budget category for FY 2005 is available on the NIAMS Web site at: http://www.niams.nih.gov/About_Us/Budget/mechanism_table_fy2005.asp.

    FY 2006

    After a series of continuing resolutions, NIH recently received an appropriation for FY 2006. The initial conference level for NIH was essentially at the original President's Budget request of $28.7 billion; however, all discretionary accounts have received an across-the-board reduction of 1 percent. Thus, the net amount for NIH is approximately $28.5 billion. The net amount proposed for NIAMS is $507.9 million, which includes funds to be transferred for Roadmap activities. This amount represents a decrease of $3.2 million below the FY 2005 level. To help ensure the availability of an adequate pool of funds for new and competing continuation awards, NIH has directed that the noncompeting commitment for every research project grant (RPG) will be reduced by 2.35 percent from the FY 2006 commitment of record. This reduction will be applied to all remaining years of the grant. Other mechanisms have been reduced below FY 2005 levels as well. At this time, we are estimating an overall success rate of approximately 18.4 percent. Since funding levels are not yet final, NIAMS has developed an interim funding plan for FY 2006, which is available at the NIAMS Web site noted below. We anticipate that some of the interim paylines will improve when the full budget picture becomes more clear.

    http://www.niams.nih.gov/About_Us/Budget/funding_plan_fy2006.asp
    http://www.niams.nih.gov/About_Us/Budget/funding_plan_fy2005.asp

    FY 2007

    The President's Budget request for FY 2007 is scheduled to be released on February 6, and details cannot be shared until that time.

    NIAMS Faces . . .

    John O'Shea, M.D., has accepted the position of the NIAMS Scientific Director. He has been the chief of the Molecular Immunology and Inflammation Branch at NIAMS since 2002.

    Dan Kastner, M.D., Ph.D., has been selected as the new NIAMS Clinical Director. He has been the chief of the Genetics and Genomics Branch at NIAMS since 2003.

    Joan Mancuso has been selected as the new Chief of the Intramural Administrative Management Branch. She will supervise the administrative staff, who support the NIAMS Intramural Program, and work closely with the Scientific Director and other IRP scientists.

    Anita Linde, M.P.P., has returned to NIAMS, accepting the position of Director of the Office of Science Policy and Planning. Anita has most recently been a Special Assistant to the Director in the NIH Office of Communications and Public Liaison.

    Michael Toland, previously a Senior Program Manager and a retired Air Force officer, has been selected as the Science Management Coordinator for the NIAMS Extramural Program. His role involves management analysis, program planning and evaluation, and coordination of various activities of the extramural staff.

    The Institute welcomes Luis Arvelo, formerly with the Indian Health Service, as a Management Analyst in the Management Policies, Programs and Initiatives Branch (MPPIB). He has 25 years of government experience, and worked at NIH as a Human Resources Specialist for NINDS, NHLBI and NIMH from 1994 to 2004.

    Kudos . . .

    Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIAMS, was recognized by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on October 26 as a 2005 NCI Outstanding Mentor. The NCI Outstanding Mentor award is a prestigious honor which acknowledges exemplary mentoring and guidance of trainees in cancer research.

    Daniel L. Kastner, M.D., Ph.D., NIAMS Clinical Director, was recognized by the American College of Rheumatology as the recipient of the 2005 ACR Distinguished Investigator Award. The Distinguished Investigator Award is given each year to a basic scientist who makes outstanding contributions to the field of rheumatology.

    Alasdair C. Steven, Ph.D., Chief of the NIAMS Laboratory of Structural Biology Research, was given the prestigious Medal of the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology, Czech Republic. Dr. Steven received the medal in recognition of his contributions to basic biomedical research and for his support of Czech science.

    From the Health Partnership Program . . .

    NIAMS Community Health Center (CHC)

    The NIAMS CHC continues to serve as an intermediary between NIH and the community by bringing new research to the Washington, D.C., community.

    • The NIH Clinical Center Department of Nursing is continuing phase III of its study, Health Beliefs and Health Practices Among Minorities with Rheumatic Disease. This phase of the study consists of six-month follow-up assessments with patients, which will be compared to initial interviews conducted following patients' first visits. Additionally, the study team is currently exploring publication opportunities.
    • Through collaborations with the NIH Clinical Center Department of Bioethics, NIAMS staff have co-authored the paper, Exploring Perceptions About the Ethics of Clinical Research in an Urban Community, which has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Public Health. Next steps for the study team include developing an exploratory study looking further at research with predominantly economically disadvantaged research participants.

    Publication

    The Institute has recently printed the publication, Joint Replacement Surgery and You: Information for Multicultural Communities, which was tested with lay audiences with assistance from the HPP community partners. The booklet is currently available in English and will soon be transadapted to Spanish as well.

    Community Meetings and Events

    NIAMS continues to disseminate information on rheumatic diseases and clinical studies at health fairs within the tristate area. The following are some of the events where NIAMS exhibited health materials and provided publications from September through December: DC Parks and Recreation Health Fair, Fiesta DC '05, National Bureau of Engraving and Printing Health Fair, La Clinica del Pueblo Health Fair, the National Council of Negro Women's Black Family Reunion and the DC Office on Aging Annual Senior Holiday Fair.

    Update on Equal Employment Opportunity . . .

    The NIH Summer Internship in Biomedical Research for 2006 is accepting applications via the Web site at http://www.training.nih.gov/student/index.asp. We are already receiving applications for summer internship positions at NIAMS.

    In coordination with Morgan State University, NIAMS is planning a science-mentoring/career-day event for undergraduate students.

    NIAMS is planning job-shadow days for students from NIAMS Adopt-A-Schools Wilson High School and Wheaton High School. In addition, NIAMS staff will participate as judges in the Wilson High School Science Fair in February.

    Since the last NIAMS Advisory Council, Institute staff facilitated and/or participated in the following events:

    • Morgan State University Job Fair (September 2005)
    • The Black Family Caucus (September 2005)
    • The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) annual conference (October 2005)
    • A tour of the Hatfield Clinical Research Center by Wilson High School's SciMaTech Academy students. (November 2005)
    • A full-day workshop on science fair skills, developed by NIAMS postbaccalaureate Fellows and OCPL staff. Approximately 30 students attended the workshop. Included in the NIAMS presentation was an overview of the NIH and various NIH training opportunities. (November 2005)
    • A networking event and tour at the Morehouse School of Medicine and Clark Atlanta University (November 2005)
    • The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) annual conference (November 2005)
    • The Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) annual conference (November 2005)
    • The Symposium on Artificial Body Parts, a conference at the National Library of Medicine for high school students, attended by students from Wilson High School and Wheaton High School. (December 2005)

    Upcoming Events . . .

    NIAMS sends an exhibit and publications to a number of events each year. Look for us at the following events between now and the May 2006 issue:

    • NIH Visitor Information Center, Bethesda, Md., February 14-21
    • Sister to Sister National Woman's Heart Day, Washington, D.C., February 17
    • Dermatology Nurses Association, San Francisco, Calif., March 2-3
    • American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), San Francisco, Calif., March 7
    • National Hispanic Medical Association, Washington, D.C., March 23-26
    • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNP), Washington, D.C., March 30-April 2
    • American College of Physicians, Philadelphia, Pa., April 6-9
    • National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), Anaheim, Calif., April 6-9
    • American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Washington, D.C., May 6-10
    • National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses, Phoenix, Ariz., May 20-24

    Publications . . .

    New Handout on Health:

    Back Pain

    New booklets:

    Joint Replacement Surgery and You: Information for Multicultural Communities
    NIAMS Overview

    Revised fact sheets:

    Bed Rest and Immobilization: Risk Factors for Bone Loss
    Bone Health and Osteoporosis: A Guide for Asian Women Aged 50 and Older
    Calcium and Vitamin D: Important at Every Age
    Exercise for Your Bone Health
    Facts a New Patient Needs to Know About Paget's Disease of Bone
    Fitness & Bone Health for Women: The Skeletal Risk of Overtraining
    Información para pacientes de la enfermedad ósea de Paget
    Medical Treatment Decisions for People With Paget's Disease of Bone
    OI Issues: Maintaining Health During the Adult Years
    Once Is Enough: A Guide to Preventing Future Fractures
    Oral Health and Bone Disease
    Osteoporosis and Arthritis: Two Common but Different Conditions
    Osteoporosis and African American Women
    Osteoporosis and Asian American Women
    Osteoporosis and Hispanic Women
    Osteoporosis in Men
    Osteoporosis: The Diagnosis
    Paget's Disease of Bone and Osteoarthritis: Different Yet Related
    Phytoestrogens and Bone Health
    Preventing Falls and Related Fractures
    Vitamin A and Bone Health
    What Is Bone?
    What Breast Cancer Survivors Need to Know About Osteoporosis
    What People Recovering from Alcoholism Need to Know About Osteoporosis
    What People With Osteogenesis Imperfecta Need to Know About Osteoporosis
    What People With Rheumatoid Arthritis Need to Know About Osteoporosis

    New easy-to-read fact sheets:

    ¿Qué es el acné? (What Is Acne?)
    ¿Qué son las lesiones en las placas de crecimiento? (What Are Growth Plate Injuries?)
    ¿Qué es la escoliosis? (What Is Scoliosis?)
    ¿Qué es la rosácea? (What Is Rosacea?)
    What Is Atopic Dermatitis?
    What Is Alopecia Areata?
    What Is Behçet's Disease?
    What Is Epidermolysis Bullosa?
    What Is Lichen Sclerosus?
    What Is Lupus?
    What Is Osteoarthritis?
    What Is Sjögren's Syndrome?
    What Is Spinal Stenosis?

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

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

    For information on osteoporosis and other bone diseases, contact:

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

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

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

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