You are here:
News & Events
Shorttakes
September 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 . . .
Several years have passed since NIH embarked on its "Roadmap for Biomedical Research," the initiative to identify major, cross-cutting scientific challenges that NIH, with its unique resources, could help address. Considering the success of this enterprise and the many projects it generated, it is not surprising that its sequel-what the film industry might call "Roadmap II" (and what we call Roadmap 1.5)-is now in development.
Building on the initial Roadmap, the newly established NIH Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI -see http://opasi.nih.gov/) is beginning a three-phase process to identify ideas for a new group of transforming initiatives. Consultation meetings, in which I participated, were held in July and September. In the next phase, NIH Institute and Center directors and Office of the Director program directors submitted proposals for new Roadmap projects. These ideas will be pooled with those from the consultation meetings, and nominations will then be posted for public comment in the third phase. This final phase will solicit input and additional ideas from the broad science and lay communities using a Web-based Request for Information.
After the three phases are complete, idea nominations will be clustered by topic area and then summarized for further review and initial prioritization by Institute and Center directors. Trans-NIH teams will develop implementation plans for selected high-priority proposals in the following months. Following final prioritization by IC Directors, the proposals will be sent to Dr. Zerhouni, who will consult with the Advisory Committee to the Director before selecting new initiatives next spring.
We all look forward to seeing the innovative projects that this new Roadmap will bring. OPASI has added a formal structure to enhance priority-setting and oversight that can only benefit the process, and NIH is eager to keep the effort moving. For more information on the new Roadmap, see http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/.
Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institutes of Health
Research Watch . . .
Mechanical stress can affect osteoarthritis biomarker release.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/stress_oa_biomarker.asp
Gene therapy is successful for congenital muscular dystrophies in a mouse model.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/gene_therapy_md.asp
Antibiotic use in acne is associated with respiratory tract infection.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/acne_infection.asp
People with vitiligo are at increased risk for other autoimmune diseases.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/vitiligo_risk.asp
A study of twins reveals three genes involved in rheumatoid arthritis.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/three_genes_ra.asp
One protein offers clues to both wound healing and hair growth.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/protein_wound_hair.asp
Scientists identify a gene in mice that may hold a key to the development of - and perhaps treatment of - systemic lupus erythematosus in people.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/lupus_susceptibility_gene.asp
Genetic findings lead to prenatal testing and counseling for the blistering skin disease epidermolysis bullosa (EB).
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/test_ebs.asp
In a mouse model, the hypertension drug losartan proves promising for aortic rupture, a deadly complication of Marfan syndrome.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/marfan_losartan.asp
Researchers identify a gene which causes susceptibility to psoriasis.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/psoriasis_gene.asp
Research demonstrates an immune system connection to low-cholesterol syndrome.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/low_cholesterol_syndrome.asp
New research examines the socioeconomic factors and consequences of low-back pain.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/back_pain_study.asp
Researchers find the cause of a rare, disabling bone disease, fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
Full story: http://www.niams.nih.gov/News_and_Events/Spotlight_on_Research/2006/fop.asp
The arthritis drug anakinra helps the symptoms and inflammation of the debilitating inflammatory disease, neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID).
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2006/niams-09.htm
The Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI), a public-private partnership between the National Institutes of Health and private industry that seeks to improve diagnosis and monitoring of osteoarthritis and foster development of new treatments, has released its first set of data.
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/aug2006/niams-01.htm
NIHSeniorHealth adds information on Paget's disease of bone.
Full story: http://www.nih.gov/news/pr/sep2006/nia-08.htm
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/pagetsdiseaseofbone/toc.html (NIHSeniorHealth Paget's disease Web page).
NIAMS celebrates its 20th anniversary with a continuing series of NIH Record articles at:
http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/04_21_2006/story08.htm
http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/06_02_2006/story05.htm
http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/06_30_2006/story05.htm
http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/07_28_2006/story06.htm
http://www.nih.gov/nihrecord/09_08_2006/story07.htm
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:
NIAMS Clinical Trial Outcomes Instrument Development Grant Program (U01), RFA-AR-06-006. Issued: June 29, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: July 29, 2006; application receipt date: August 29, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-06-006.html
Specialized Centers of Interdisciplinary Research (SCOR) on Sex and Gender Factors Affecting Women's Health (P50), RFA-OD-06-003. Issued: June 12, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Aug. 14, 2006; application receipt date: Sept. 14, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-06-003.html
Building Interdisciplinary Research Careers in Women's Health (K12), RFA-OD-06-004. Issued: June 13, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Aug. 14, 2006; application receipt date: Sept. 14, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-OD-06-004.html
Rheumatic Diseases Research Core Centers (P30), RFA-AR-06-004. Issued: Aug. 11, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Oct. 27, 2006; application receipt date: Nov. 27, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-06-004.html
Clinical Research Education and Career Development (CRECD) in Minority Institutions (R25), RFA-RR-06-003. Issued: Aug. 18, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Oct. 29, 2006; application receipt date: Nov. 29, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RR-06-003.html
Centers of Research Translation (P50), RFA-AR-06-003. Issued: September 13, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: November 22, 2006; application receipt date: December 22, 2006.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AR-06-003.html
Requests for Applications (NIH Roadmap):
Assay Development for High Throughput Molecular Screening (R21), RFA-RM-07-001. Issued July 13, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Sept. 8, 2006, application receipt date: Sept. 22, 2006.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-001.html
Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award (U54), RFA-RM-07-002. Issued: Aug. 22, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Dec. 18, 2006, application receipt date: Jan. 17, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-002.html
Membrane Protein Production and Structure Determination (R01), RFA-RM-07-003. Issued: Aug. 31, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: Sept. 27, 2006; application receipt date: Oct. 27, 2006.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-RM-07-003.html
Program Announcements:
Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) [R21], PA-06-418. Issued: May 17, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-418.html
Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) [R01], PA-06-419. Issued: May 17, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-419.html
Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R01), PAR-06-410. Issued: May 15, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-410.html
Exploratory Innovations in Biomedical Computational Science and Technology (R21), PAR-06-411. Issued: May 15, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-411.html
Joint Degeneration: Mouse Models (R21), PA-06-450. Issued: June 9, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-450.html
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32), PA-06-468. Issued: June 16, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-468.html
Postdoctoral Training in Research on Aging in Canada (F32), PA-06-469. Issued: June 16, 2006; letters of intent receipt date(s): standard dates apply; application receipt date(s): multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-469.html
Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP) [R01], PAR-06-459. Issued: June 12, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: Aug. 20, 2006 and Dec. 20, 2006; application receipt dates: Sept. 20, 2006 and Jan. 22, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-459.html
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Awards for Individual Predoctoral Fellowships (F31) to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research, PA-06-481. Issued: July 21, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: May 1, Nov. 15.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-481.html
Pathophysiology of Bisphosphonates-associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (R01), PA-06-500. Issued: July 31, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-500.html
Pathophysiology of Bisphosphonates-associated Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (R21), PA-06-501. Issued: July 31, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-501.html
Muscular Dystrophy: Pathogenesis and Therapies (R21), PA-06-508. Issued: Aug. 3, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-508.html
Enabling Technologies for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine (R01), PAR-06-504. Issued: Aug. 1, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-504.html
Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (K08), PA-06-512.
Issued: Aug. 7, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-512.html
Extramural Pediatric Research Loan Repayment Program (LRP), PA-06-516. Issued: Aug. 8, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: Sept. 1, 2006 through Dec. 1, 2006, 8 p.m. EST.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-516.html
Extramural Loan Repayment Program for Clinical Researchers (LRP), PA-06-517. Issued: Aug. 8, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: Sept. 1, 2006 through Dec. 1, 2006, 8 p.m. EST.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-517.html
Independent Scientist Award (K02), PA-06-527. Issued: Aug. 15, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-527.html
Functional Links between the Immune System, Brain Function and Behavior (R21), PA-06-533. Issued: Aug. 22, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-533.html
National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowships in Epidemiology, Clinical Trials, and Outcomes Research in Skin Diseases (F32), PAR-06-536. Issued: Aug. 24, 2006;
letters of intent receipt dates: not applicable; application receipt dates: Oct. 23, 2006; Feb. 23, June 23, Oct. 23, 2007; and Feb. 23, June 23, 2008.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-536.html
National Research Service Award Postdoctoral Fellowships in Epidemiology, Clinical Trials, and Outcomes Research In Orthopaedic Surgery (F32), PAR-06-539. Issued: Aug. 30, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: Oct. 23, 2006; Feb. 23, June 23, Oct. 23, 2007; and Feb. 23, June 23, 2008.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-539.html
Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R21), PA-06-542. Issued: Aug. 31, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-542.html
Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, & Management in Pain Research (R01), PA-06-544. Issued: Aug. 30, 2006; letters of intent receipt date: not applicable; application receipt dates: multiple dates, see announcement.
http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-06-544.html
Program Announcements (NIH Roadmap):
Solicitation of Assays for High Throughput Screening (HTS) in the Molecular Libraries Screening Centers Network (R03), PAR-06-545. Issued: September 7, 2006; letters of intent receipt dates: Sept. 26, 2006; Jan. 26, 2007; May 26, 2007; Sept. 26, 2007; application receipt dates: Oct. 26, 2006; Feb. 26, 2007; June 26, 2007; Oct. 26, 2007.
http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-06-545.html
Highlights From the Hill, DHHS and NIH . . .
Stem Cells
On February 15, 2005, Representative Mike Castle (R-DE) introduced H.R. 810, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005. The bill passed the House on May 24, 2006 by a vote of 238-194. The Senate passed H.R. 810 on July 17 by a vote of 63-37. The measure was vetoed by the President on July 19. The House failed to override the veto by a vote of 235-193. The bill, which would have effectively overturned the President's 2001 stem cell policy, would have required NIH to fund research on human embryonic stem cells notwithstanding the date on which such cells were derived.
On May 5, 2006, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced the Alternative Pluripotent Stem Cells Therapies Enhancement Act (S. 2754). The Senate passed the measure by a vote of 100-0. The House considered the measure on July 18 under "suspension of the rules," but it failed by a vote of 273-154. The bill is expected to be considered by the House again under general House rules, which would require a simple majority for passage. The bill would require NIH to fund peer-reviewed research to develop techniques for the isolation and production of pluripotent stem cells, without deriving such cells from human embryos.
On June 13, 2006, Senator Rick Santorum (R-PA) introduced the Fetus Farming Prohibition Act of 2006 (S. 3504). The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 100-0. The House also passed the bill on July 18 by a vote of 425-0. The bill was signed by the President on July 19 and became Public-Law 109-242. The act prohibits soliciting or knowingly receiving or accepting a donation of human fetal tissue knowing that "a human pregnancy was deliberately initiated to provide such tissue." The bill also prohibits receiving or accepting tissues or cells "obtained from a human embryo or fetus that was gestated in the uterus of a nonhuman animal."
Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis
On July 31, 2006, the Senate passed, by unanimous consent, S. Res. 420, a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that effective treatment and access to care for individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis should be improved. The resolution includes a provision supporting the leadership of the Directors of NIH and NIAMS to find a cure and develop safer, more effective treatments for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Also included is a provision encouraging researchers to examine the negative psychological and physical effects of psoriasis to better understand its impact on those who have been diagnosed with the disease.
Budget Update
On June 13, 2006, the House Appropriations Committee completed its markup of the FY 2007 Appropriations bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies. The House bill includes $28.3 billion for NIH, slightly above last year's level and equal to the FY 2007 President's budget request when adjusted for the Global AIDS transfer. The amount proposed for NIAMS is $504.5 million. This amount is a decrease of approximately $3.4 million below the comparable FY 2006 level and the same as the President's request. The Senate Committee on Appropriations marked up the bill on July 20. The Senate mark provides $28.5 billion for NIH, an increase of approximately $200 million over the President's request and the House level. The Senate bill included $508.6 million for NIAMS, an increase of $1 million over FY 2006 and $4 million more the President's request and the House Allowance. House and Senate conferees must now reconcile the differences in the two bills before the final appropriations bill can be passed. If this does not happen before October 1, we will begin the fiscal year with a continuing resolution.
NIAMS Faces . . .
Five members of the National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Advisory Council are leaving the council after four years of service: Graciela S. Alarcón, M.D. M.P.H.; Randy N. Rosier, M.D., Ph.D.; John R. Stanley, M.D.; Steven L. Teitelbaum, M.D.; and Sharon F. Terry, M.A. The Institute thanks them for their many contributions, and wishes them well in future endeavors.
The Institute welcomes Carl Baker, M.D., Ph.D., as the new Program Director for Skin Biology and Diseases in the NIAMS Extramural Program (EP). Dr. Baker comes to NIAMS from the National Cancer Institute, where he was the chief of the Cellular Regulation and Transformation Section, Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research.
Amanda Boyce, Ph.D., joined the Institute as the new Program Director for Muscle Development and Physiology in the NIAMS EP. Previously, Dr. Boyce was a postdoctoral fellow in the NIAMS Intramural Program, Cartilage Biology and Orthopaedics Branch.
Fei Wang, Ph.D., re-joined NIAMS in July as a Health Science Administrator in the Musculoskeletal Diseases Branch of the NIAMS EP. She came to NIAMS originally in 2003 as the Program Director for Muscle Biophysics and Cell Biology. For the past two years, she has been at the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), where she most recently managed the Tissue Engineering Program.
Kan Wa, Ph.D., joined the Extramural Program Review Branch as a Scientific Review Administrator. Before coming to NIAMS, he served as the as the Director of the Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory at the Institute of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery at Stony Brook University.
The Institute welcomes Chuck Washabaugh, Ph.D., as a Scientific Review Administrator in the Extramural Program Review Branch. He comes from the University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, where he served as a Research Assistant Professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Physiology.
Sharon Fair is a new Extramural Program Administrative Assistant. She comes to NIAMS from the Intramural Program of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
Sharon Glass has been selected as the Chief of the Management Policies, Programs, and Initiatives Branch (MPPIB). She joined the NIAMS in 1995 and was a member of the Office of Program Planning before joining the MPPIB in 2002 as a Team Leader and Management Analyst.
Kudos . . .
Eight people from NIAMS were recognized at the annual NIH Director's Award Ceremony on July 12. Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIAMS, was presented the Harvey J. Bullock, Jr. Award for Equal Opportunity Achievement for his extraordinary leadership in scientific, programmatic, and administrative arenas, and for his exemplary commitment to EEO. Other honorees were: Susana Serrate-Sztein, M.D., and Eileen Webster-Cissel (Eileen is now with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases), part of an NCCAM/NIAMS group recognized for collaborative efforts in developing and actualizing the Glucosamine/chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) study; Anita Linde, M.P.P., for exceptional staff work in facilitating the establishment of the NIH Office of Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives; Wilma Peterman Cross, M.S., for her outstanding service as the NIH coordinator of the visit of Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to the NIH; Alasdair Steven, Ph.D., for his exemplary outstanding leadership and scientific contributions in structural biology; Jane Hymiller, for her outstanding contributions to the financial management of the NIAMS; Melinda Nelson, for her exceptional leadership in creating the Trans-NIH Grants Management Orientation Training Program; and Janet Austin, Ph.D., for extraordinary leadership, skill and ability in serving as a mentor while demonstrating exemplary performance.
Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D., Director of NIAMS, has been saluted as an NIH extraordinary manager by the NIH Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management. An article appears in EEO News & Notes at http://oeo.od.nih.gov/about/news_notes92006.html.
NIAMS' Office of Communications and Public Liaison has launched a searchable image database (www.images.niams.nih.gov) that is available to researchers, reporters and the public. The database is composed of photographs of Institute scientists, labs and staff, along with illustrations, diagrams and drawings. The downloadable images (along with detailed abstracts) seek to "tell the story" of NIAMS research through pictures.
From the Health Partnership Program.
The HPP continues to progress under the program's five focus areas: public health education, patient care, health disparities research, recruitment to research careers, and community relations. Below are current highlights.
NIAMS Community Health Center (CHC)
On May 16, 2006, NIAMS staff held a meeting with the Research Study Feedback Group, a sub- group of the community partners, to gain their insights and perspectives on the draft research protocol, Views of Minority Research Participants About the Ethics of Clinical Research. The community partners' comments are currently being incorporated into plans for the study. Next steps include pre-testing the study's questionnaire with a sample of the targeted patient group.
Community Meetings and Events
NIAMS continues to disseminate information on rheumatic diseases and clinical studies at health fairs within the tristate area. Recent exhibits included the DC Office on Aging's Annual Seniors' Day, the NIH Parenting Festival, and the WJLA ABC 7 Family Health and Caregiver Exposition.
As part of our efforts to support the 2006 NIH Summer Internship Program, the NIAMS Intramural Research Program's Career Development Section, in coordination with the NIAMS Office of Communication and Public Liaison, placed over 50 students in various positions at NIAMS.
Upcoming Presentations
NIAMS staff, along with staff from the NIH Clinical Center Department of Clinical Bioethics and Department of Nursing, will be presenting the poster, "Transdisciplinary Research at the Community Level: A Model for Health Disparities Studies" at the National Cancer Institute's conference, The Science of Team Science, Assessing the Value of Transdisciplinary Research, which will be held October 30-31 in Bethesda, Md.
A research team composed of staff from NIAMS and the NIH Clinical Center Department of Clinical Bioethics and Department of Nursing will conduct a workshop entitled, "NIAMS Health Partnership Program: Community-based Research Agenda" at the American College of Rheumatology/Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals annual scientific conference on November 13, 2006, in Washington, D.C.
Update on Equal Employment Opportunity . . .
The 2006 Summer Student Program ended Aug. 3 with a farewell social for 52 summer students. Highlights of the summer included tours to the White House and the Walter Reed Medical Museum. Students also participated in the NIH Annual Poster Day.
Two interns from the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) worked in the NIAMS Office of the Director (OD) and the NIAMS Intramural Research Program (IRP). The WRP supports the President's New Freedom Initiative, the goal of which is to increase employment of people with disabilities in the private and public sectors.
Two students returned for a second summer with NIAMS after their freshmen year in college. They first came to NIAMS last summer from the Biosciences and Medicine Academy of Wheaton High School. One of those students participated in the NIH Annual Poster Day.
The 2006 program for the National Youth Initiative for Biomedical Research was a great success. The annual visit of the African American youth was June 19-20; the Native American youth, June 22-23; and the Hispanic youth, July 20-21. Gregory Dennis, M.D., Director of Clinical Care, IRP, gave a presentation at the African American Youth Meeting. Students from all of the Youth Initiatives were given tours of NIAMS labs in Building 50.
The NIAMS Office of Communications and Public Liaison and the NIAMS IRP Career Development Section collaborated with staff and faculty from the SciMaTech Academy at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School and Wheaton High School to plan Adopt-a-School activities for the 2006-2007 school year. Activities will include: mentoring programs, the annual Science Fair at Wilson High School, Groundhog Job Shadow Day, Career Day, workshops, and guest speakers for lunchtime seminars. Plans are also in process for outreach to the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) and Morgan State University.
Upcoming Events . . .
Look for the NIAMS Exhibit at the following events between now and the February issue:
- American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), Washington, D.C., Sept. 27-Oct. 1, 2006
- Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Tampa, Fla., Oct. 26-29, 2006
- American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Detroit, Mich., Nov. 2-4, 2006
- National Middle School Association, Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 2-4, 2006
- American Public Health Association, Boston, Mass., Nov. 4-8, 2006
- Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), Anaheim, Calif., Nov. 8-11, 2006
- American College of Rheumatology (ACR), Washington, D.C., Nov. 8-11, 2006
- Celebra La Vida con Salud, a series of 12 community health fairs throughout the country; our first in the series will be in Chicago, Ill., Sept. 10, 2006
- Dermatology Nurses Association, Washington, D.C., Feb. 1-4, 2007
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Washington, D.C., Feb. 2-6, 2007
Publications . . .
Revised booklets:
Questions and Answers About Hip Replacement
Questions and Answers About Shoulder Problems
Questions and Answers About Knee Problems
Questions and Answers About Raynaud's Phenomenon
Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis
Revised fact sheets:
Bone Mass Measurement: What the Numbers Mean
What People With Diabetes Need to Know About Osteoporosis
Medications to Prevent and Treat Osteoporosis
El calcio y la vitamina D: importantes a toda edad [Calcium and Vitamn D: Important at Every Age]
Haga ejercicio para tener huesos sanos [Exercise for Your Bone Health]
New easy-to-read fact sheets:
What Is Osteoporosis?
What Is Paget's Disease of Bone?
What Are Osteoporosis and Arthritis and How Are They Different?
What Is Osteogenesis Imperfecta?
What Are Ways to Prevent Falls and Related Fractures?
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
