Director's Report to Council: September 2008

ACTIVITIES OF THE NIDCR DIRECTOR
Since the last meeting of the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council (NADCRC), NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak continued speaking about changes to the NIH peer review system and addressed professional and research organizations about the future of dental, oral, and craniofacial research.  He delivered presentations at scientific symposia and meetings and spoke to students about careers in research.  He also continued to co-chair the Research Teams of the Future component of the NIH Roadmap and the NIH-wide Pain Consortium, and recently was appointed to serve on the NIH Scientific Management Review Board, which will examine NIH's organizational structure and balance and provide recommendations for enhancing the agency's mission.

On July 9, Dr. Tabak gave a presentation on “Changes to NIH Peer Review” to the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) in Washington, D.C.  The OSTP advises the President on the effects of science and technology on domestic and international affairs.  In September, the NIDCR Director attended the NIH Leadership Forum and together with NIH Deputy Director Raynard Kington, spoke about “Peer Review: Strategies for Addressing A0/A1/A2.”  He also gave an address on peer review via teleconference to the Health Research Alliance, a consortium of private biomedical research funding agencies.

Among the professional meetings attended by Dr. Tabak were the 86th General Session and Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), held in Toronto in July.  In August he participated in the NIH Institute and Center Directors’ Mini-Retreat on New Investigator/Workshop Issues, which was held in Bethesda, Md.  He also co-led a meeting of the NIH Pain Consortium in August and attended the Blueprint Pain Workshop on September 15-16. 

The NIDCR Director actively engaged in activities designed to interest students in research careers.  On July 14, he joined a panel discussion in Bethesda on future careers in dentistry and research, hosted by the Division of Intramural Research.  In September he took part in NIDCR’s Dentist Scientist Trainee Workshop (also held in Bethesda) and then spoke at the University of Washington Dental Research Day in Seattle where he gave a presentation on “Open Wide: Molecular Medicine Enters the Mouth.”  Late in September Dr. Tabak attended the Frontiers of Translational Research Symposium at Harvard where he spoke to students who are interested in careers in clinical and translational research.    

ACTIVITIES OF THE NIDCR DEPUTY DIRECTOR
NIDCR Deputy Director Isabel Garcia continues to work on NIDCR’s Strategic Plan update.  Activities since the last report to Council include convening two open forum sessions at the IADR General Session in Toronto to elicit input from the research community, analyzing the input received via the NIDCR website, and planning portfolio and program analyses that will be used to inform the process. 

As the current president of the American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH), Dr. Garcia is engaged in several ABDPH-related activities.  She served as chair of the annual meeting of all the ADA-Recognized Dental Specialty Certifying Boards, which took place in Chicago on August 17.  She also represented ABDPH during the meeting of the ADA’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure with the ADA Recognized Dental Specialty Boards and Organizations, held in Chicago the following day. 

The NIDCR Deputy Director continues her collaboration with Dr. Kathy Hayes in overseeing NIDCR’s Dental Public Health Residency, which is preparing for an ADA-accreditation visit this fall.  The residency recently welcomed Dr. Tim Iafolla as its second part-time resident.  Dr. Iafaolla holds a DMD, a master’s degree in health policy and administration, and a general practice hospital-based residency. 
Additional activities of the Deputy Director included providing an overview of NIDCR research activities of relevance to practitioners at the Northern Virginia Dental Society annual business meeting on September 3 and presenting an overview of NIH for participants in NIDCR’s Dentist Scientist Trainee Workshop on September 8.

BUDGET UPDATE

FY 2008
The FY 2008 appropriation, including the enacted supplemental, provides $391.1 million for NIDCR.  The budget distribution by budget mechanism is provided in the table below.

FY 2009
The President’s Budget Request would provide $390.5 million for NIDCR. See the table below for the distribution by budget mechanism; see the complete NIDCR budget justification to Congress. 

The FY 2009 budget reported out by the Senate Appropriations Committee contained $401.4 million for NIDCR; a bill passed by the House Appropriations Subcommittee contained $404.0 million. It is expected that NIDCR and NIH will begin FY 2009 under a continuing resolution.

DHHS/NIH UPDATE

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.

"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. 

NIDCR Director Nominated to Serve on NIH Scientific Management Review Board 
NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak is one of several individuals nominated by Dr. Zerhouni to serve on NIH’s new Scientific Management Review Board (SMRB). The SMRB will examine the NIH's organizational structure and balance and will 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 signed into law by the President in January 2007. A major element of the Reform Act of 2006 was the new authority it gave to the NIH Director to improve program coordination, assemble and analyze accurate data, implement strategic plans based on institute and center determined priorities, ensure resources are properly allocated, and further maximize investigator-initiated research in high impact and emerging research areas.  See additional information about the SMRB.

NIH Director’s Pioneer Award Symposium
The fourth annual NIH Director's Pioneer Award Symposium will take place September 22-23. The event will feature a keynote address by NIH Director Dr. Elias A. Zerhouni in addition to research talks by the 2007 Pioneer Award recipients, poster sessions by Pioneer and New Innovator Award recipients and members of their labs, roundtable discussions on highly innovative research, and announcement of the 2008 Pioneer awardees.

The NIH Director's Pioneer and New Innovator Award programs--key components of the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research--support exceptionally creative scientists who take highly innovative, and potentially transformative, approaches to major challenges in biomedical or behavioral research.
The symposium will be held in the Natcher Conference Center (Building 45) on the NIH campus and begins at 8:30 a.m. each day.  See the agenda.  Attendance is free and no registration is required. The event will also be videocast live and archived.

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 to $3 million to fund up to eight R01 awards in fiscal year 2009.

The RFA seeks to support research on causal factors explaining the career patterns of women in biomedical and behavioral science and engineering. It also aims to test the effectiveness of programs designed to eliminate sex/gender disparities and to promote the careers of women in these fields. Areas of interest include family and economic circumstances; institutional/departmental environment and organizational structure; disciplinary culture or practices; and issues related to broader social and cultural context.  The application receipt date is October 22, 2008.  See additional information about the RFA.

NIH Funds Centers to Speed Application of Powerful New Research Approach
NIH has announced that it will fund a network of nine centers across the country that will use high tech screening methods to identify small molecules for use as probes to investigate the diverse functions of cells. The network — funded at approximately $70 million annually over the four-year production phase — is designed to increase the pace of development and use of chemical (small molecule) probes, which have become invaluable tools for exploring biologic processes and for developing new therapies for disease.  See more information about the new centers.

Applications Now Accepted for NIH Loan Repayment Programs
Applications are now being accepted for the NIH Extramural and Intramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs). The deadline for extramural applications is December 1, 2008; the deadline for intramural renewal LRP applications is February 1, 2009 and May 1, 2009 for new LRP applications.  The LRPs aim to attract health professionals to careers in clinical, pediatric, health disparities, or contraception and infertility research. In exchange for a two or three-year (for Intramural General Research) commitment to research, NIH will repay up to $35,000 per year of a participant’s qualified educational debt.  

Appointment of HHS Principal Associate Deputy Secretary
Dr. James O’Neill has been appointed principal associate deputy secretary, HHS.  He will advise the HHS Secretary on policy and program matters and assist in the management of the Department.  His areas of policy and regulatory responsibility include FDA, NIH, AHRQ, ASAM, ASPR, ASRT, OGHA, OPHS, and OSSI.  He also will continue to advise the Secretary on emergency preparedness, pandemic preparedness, and homeland security and will lead special projects related to policy and operations. In his five years at HHS, Dr. O’Neill previously served as associate deputy secretary, senior advisor to the deputy secretary, and director of speechwriting.  Before joining HHS, he worked for the Department of Education, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and the White House.

NIDCR UPDATE

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

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. 

Establishment of Salivary Gland Tumor Biorepository
NIDCR is taking the lead in establishing a salivary gland tumor biorepository at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The resource will store biospecimens such as fresh frozen tissues, paraffin blocks, serum and saliva linked to diagnostic, pathologic, treatment, and outcome data for all salivary gland tumors.  The effort is led by Dr. Yasaman Shirazi in NIDCR’s Division of Extramural Research.

NIDCR Staff Member Serves as Coordinator of Roadmap Research Consortia
In April, Dr. Melissa Riddle, chief of the NIDCR Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Branch, assumed a new role as coordinator of a program of research consortia established to encourage interdisciplinary collaborations to accelerate scientific discovery. The consortia are funded via the NIH Roadmap.  They focus on a wide variety of health concerns and involve a wide variety of scientific disciplines. In addition to coordinating teams of program officers/directors at NIH who are charged with managing the individual components of the consortia, Dr. Riddle has made a number of site visits to some of the home institutions for these consortia teams.

Board of Scientific Counselors’ Review of Intramural Investigators
On June 9-11, the BSC and ad hoc panel members conducted the quadrennial review of Drs. Silvio Gutkind, Thomas Brugge and Myung Hee Park of the Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch and Dr. Thomas Hart of the Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch.

Training and Career Development News

2008 Summer Internship Program
Thirty-six high school, undergraduate, graduate, dental and medical students participated in the 2008 Division of Intramural Research Summer Research Program.  Fourteen of these students were NIDCR Summer Dental Student Award recipients.  The awardees were:  Tiffany Ashton, Howard University College of Dentistry, Patrick Condit, University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Nhu-Uyen Cung, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Lauren Errington, University of Maryland Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, Benjamin Goldstein, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Nicola Henry-McDonnough, Howard University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Olga Jasina, Baylor College of Dentistry, Michelle Mathieson, Nova Southeastern, Melissa Moutray, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, Adele Newell, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Hubert Park, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, Todd Rapetti, Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, and Andrew Reynolds Medical University of South Carolina.

Highlights of this year’s activities included the summer student research introduction and welcome reception, field trips to the National Academies of Science Museum and the American Dental Association in Washington, D.C., a career panel discussion on “Future Careers in Research and Dentistry,” and a visit to the University of Maryland, Baltimore Dental School to hear research presentations from dental students participating in their program.  Five NIDCR summer dental student award recipients gave oral presentations about their work at a seminar that was well attended by the DIR community.  This year, 17 summer interns presented their work at the NIDCR Summer Intern Poster Day and Recognition Ceremony.

Grant writing seminar
On July 22, NIDCR co-hosted its second grant-writing seminar together with the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Human Genome Research Institute. The seminar was a full day activity in which participants worked through exercises on how to write a successful research grant.  The presenter also discussed possible pitfalls that might be encountered and good draft review strategies.  Seventy-five postdoctoral fellows from the ICs attended this event.  The seminar was well received and evaluated as extremely helpful by the attendees.

R01 Recipients
Seven people supported at some time in their career by NIDCR training programs have received their first R01s during this last funding cycle:

NIDCR K22 awardee Kirsten Limesand, PhD
(DE018888) entitled “Mechanisms of IGF-1 mediated rescue of radiation-induced salivary gland dysfunction.”  Dr. Limesand is in the final year of her K22 award and is an assistant professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Arizona.

Former K22 awardee Toshihisa Kawai, DDS, PhD
(DE018499) entitled “T-Regulatory Cells in Periodontitis.”  Dr. Kawai completed his K22 in 2006 and is currently in the Department of Immunology at the Forsyth Institute.

Former K22 awardee Marianna Bei, DMD, PhD
(DE019226) entitled “Molecular mechanisms of early tooth development.”  Dr. Bei completed her K22 in 2006 and is an assistant biologist in the Cutaneous Biology Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Former F32 fellow Melinda Larsen, PhD
(DE019244) entitled “Modeling Dynamics of Salivary Gland Branching Morphogenesis.”  She also has received an R21 (DE019197) entitled “Engineering Functioning Salivary Glands Using Micropatterned Scaffolds.”  Dr. Larsen was awarded the F32 as a research fellow in the NIDCR Intramural Program, completing it in 2006, and is now an assistant professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at SUNY Albany.

Former K08 awardee H. Peter Lorenz, MD
(GM087609) entitled “Skin Regeneration: Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms.”  Dr. Lorenz completed his K08 in 2006 and is a professor in the Department of Surgery at Stanford.

Former F32 fellow Nathan Jeske, PhD
(NS061884) entitled “AKAP Modulates TRPV1 Phosporylation and Sensitization.”  He previously took over as the PI on an existing R01, but this is his first award as the applicant PI.  Dr. Larsen completed his F32 in 2006 and is an assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Former T32 trainee George Huang, DDS, DSc
(DE019156) entitled “Stem Cell Based Therapy for Regenerative Endodontics.”  Dr. Huang was supported on an NIDCR T32 grant as a predoc and then was supported by NIDDK in a T32 postdoctoral training program.  In 2006 he participated in an NIDCR-funded short-term T32 postdoc faculty development program.  Dr. Huang is an associate professor in the Department of Endodontics at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.

Meetings, Workshops and Conferences

Workshop for Dual Degree Trainees and Dentists
On September 8-9, NIDCR sponsored a workshop for 70 trainees currently in the NIDCR Dentist Scientist Training Program (DSTP).  The DSTP is a combined DDS/PhD program that trains individuals who intend to pursue research careers.  The meeting featured a discussion of training and career development mechanisms led by Dr. Kevin Hardwick, chief of the Research Training and Career Development Branch, an overview of the NIH by NIDCR deputy director Dr. Isabel Garcia, an NIDCR scientific overview by Dr. Tabak, an overview of NIDCR extramural research by Dr. Pamela McInnes, an overview of the Division of Intramural Research by Drs. Robert Angerer and Deborah Philp, meetings with extramural health science administrators, discussions about career plans and loan repayment programs, poster sessions, and presentations about intramural postdoctoral training opportunities.

Salivary Gland Tumor Research Workshop
Dr. Yasaman Shirazi is leading the organization of the “Workshop on Salivary Gland Tumor Research: Current Status and Future Directions,” to be held November 17-18, 2008 in Bethesda, Md.  The workshop is expected to engage a critical mass of basic and clinical scientists who will discuss current research tools and directions in salivary gland tumor research.

Blueprint for Neuroscience Grand Challenge
Dr. John Kusiak, director of the Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Program, is the team leader for a group that is planning a two-day workshop on “A Pain Phenotype: Risk Factors for the Transition to Chronic Pain Conditions.” The goal of the workshop is to identify revolutionary, ground breaking scientific approaches to advance our understanding of a pain phenotype that delineates those factors that determine an individual’s transition from a pain-free or acute pain state to a chronic pain condition. Recommendations derived from this workshop will be used to prepare a Blueprint funding initiative for FY 2010-11.

7th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer
The 7th International Conference on Head and Neck Cancer was held July 19-23 in San Francisco.  The conference was co-supported through an NIDCR and NCI conference grant.  NIDCR staff planned and organized a session on salivary gland cancers

Other meetings attended by NIDCR staff:

• IADR, July 2-6, Toronto
• FDA/DIA Statistics Forum, April 14-16, Bethesda, Md
• Design & Analysis Meeting, May 12-13, Newark, NJ
• ADA Workshop on Evidence Based Guidelines for Fluoride Supplements, July 16-18
• 2008 International ICDAS Committee Meeting, July 23-25, Groningen

Science Updates, News Releases, and Interviews with Oral Health Researchers
Since the last meeting of the NADCRC, NIDCR communications staff produced several “Science News in Brief” summaries of recent research findings. Topics included, for example, a new genome-wide technique for analyzing cancer-related methylation patterns, and the safety of dental care during pregnancy.  Staff also wrote a news release about an optical sensor that can detect the presence of certain proteins linked to oral cancer in saliva.  Staff interviewed NIDCR grantees and intramural scientists for “Facing the Future,” a web publication on research challenges and opportunities in the 21st Century.

New Online Spanish-Language Publication on Dry Mouth Available
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is the condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth wet.  “La boca seca” discusses the causes of dry mouth, the importance of saliva for oral health, and tips on how to relieve oral dryness.  Print copies will be available by the end of 2008.

Exhibits
NIDCR exhibited and distributed patient and health professional education materials at the following meetings: 

• American Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session, June 19-21, Albuquerque
• Academy of General Dentistry, July 17-19, Orlando
• RDH Under One Roof, July 31-August 2, Chicago
  
  
  NIDCR materials were also displayed at the following venues:
• Unity 2008: Journalists of Color, Inc., July 23-27, Chicago 
• National Association of Community Health Representatives Education Conference, July 28-31, Las Vegas 
• Mayor’s Office of Latino Affairs Hispanic Community Family Fair, August 10, Washington, DC 
• Women and Breast Cancer, sponsored by Congressman Charles Gonzalez, August 18, San Antonio

SCIENCE ADVANCES

Scientists Develop Sensitive Salivary Sensor
As published in the August issue of the journal Biosensors and Bioelectronics, a team of NIDCR-supported researchers report they have developed an ultra-sensitive optical protein sensor, a first for a salivary diagnostic test.  The sensor can be integrated into a specially designed lab-on-a-chip, or microchip assay, and preprogrammed to bind a specific protein of interest, generating a sustained fluorescent signal as the molecules attach.  A microscope then reads the intensity of the fluorescent light – a measure of the protein’s cumulative concentration in the saliva sample – and scientists gauge whether it corresponds with levels linked to developing disease.  In their initial experiments, the scientists primed the optical protein sensor to detect the IL-8 protein, which at higher than normal concentration in saliva is linked to oral cancer.  Using saliva samples from 20 people - half healthy, the others diagnosed with oral cancer – the sensor correctly distinguished in all cases between health and disease.  Importantly, the sensor achieved a limit of detection for IL-8 that is roughly 100 times more sensitive than today’s blood-based Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) tests, the standard technique to measure protein in bodily fluid. The limit of detection, or LOD, refers to a sensor’s ability to distinguish the lowest concentration of a protein or other target molecule apart from competing background signals.  The research was conducted by Ho CM, Tan W, Sabet L, Li Y, Yu T, Klokkevold PR, and Wong D at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Marker of Salivary Progenitor Cells Identified
A team of NIDCR-supported scientists recently generated genetically modified mice that produced a fluorescently labeled version of the Ascl3 protein. The protein structurally belongs to a family of DNA-binding transcription factors that are known to participate in the process of tissue development and differentiation. Ascl3 is barely detectable at birth in the salivary gland but increases as the tissue develops. Focusing on the developing sublingual salivary gland, the scientists monitored the cells that initially flashed the protein tag as well as their descendant cell lines. As published in the August issue of Developmental Biology, the scientists determined that the tags labeled a population of progenitor cells within the salivary glands that are capable of producing at least two cell lineages. The authors said the finding that Ascl3 is a marker for a population of progenitor cells is “a critical step in the progress toward identifying the source of cells that are responsible for salivary gland maintenance and regeneration.”  The authors of the study are Bullard T, Koek L, Roztocil E, Kingsley PD, Mirels L, and Ovitt CE from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. 

From Oncogenes to DNA Methylation
Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, their growth-inhibiting counterpart, are a main focus of cancer research.  But scientists no longer look single mindedly for possible cancer-causing mutations in these genes.  They’ve widened their gaze and now scan the entire genome for a chemical modification called DNA methylation.  The modification occurs when a methyl group attaches to a gene. The methyl tag alters the gene’s ability to interact with needed transcription regulators, thereby turning off the gene.  Although DNA methylation often occurs naturally to make one inherited gene dominant over another, tumor cells often co-opt the methylation process early in their development to shut down tumor suppressor genes and enable their aberrant growth.

In the June 15 issue of the journal Cancer Research, NIDCR grantees add interesting new data to the methylation story.  Using a genome-wide scanning technique to analyze methylation patterns, they discovered a set of five genes that are the most commonly methylated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.  More than half of the 42 tumor samples analyzed in the study shared methylation between two of the five genes.  “The observation of comethylation of certain candidate genes at distant loci [specific gene sites] is a significant finding,” the scientists noted.  “This not only reveals the possibility for using comethylation for improved diagnosis but also suggests that the candidates described in the study may be involved in a similar pathway that is disrupted and epigenetically silenced in HNSCC.”   The study was conducted by Bennett KL, Karpenko M, Lin MT, Claus R, Arab K, Dyckhoff G, Plinkert P, Herpel E, Smiraglia D, and Plass C at Ohio State University. 

Defining Cells One Pathway At a Time
One of the most daunting challenges facing biology is to define the signal transduction pathways that twist, turn, and bifurcate through our cells like highway grids to connect the molecular traffic on the outer surface to the two-way flow of information in the nuclear membrane.  If the last century of research is any guide, most of the major fundamental discoveries in signal transduction will occur first in the more experimentally tractable model organisms, such as roundworm, and fruit fly.  As published online on June 30 in The Journal of Cell Biology, NIDCR grantees and colleagues may have brought to light another fundamental discovery in brewer's yeast, a distant eukaryotic cousin to humans.  Msb2 is a cell-adhesion molecule called a signaling mucin that functions at the head of the MAPK pathway, a major regulatory route that triggers various outcomes in brewer's yeast including filamentous growth.  The scientists discovered that Msb2 is cleaved and then processed into secreted and cell-associated forms, marking a novel MAPK activation mechanism.  As the researchers explained, "This discovery, coupled with the fact the secreted domain of Msb2p is inhibitory, suggests a mechanism where processing and release of the extracellular domain activates the protein . . . We speculate that cleavage-dependent activation may be a general feature of mucin receptors."   The authors of the study are Vadaie N, Dionne H, Akajagbor DS,  Nickerson SR, Krysan DJ, and Cullen PJ at the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Rochester.

A Look at Pregnancy and Dental Care
Of the more than 6 million American women who will become pregnant this year, an estimated quarter to half will likely visit a dentist.  Although dental care is generally considered safe during pregnancy, little clinical trial data exist on the subject.  In the June issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association, a team of scientists compare the safety outcomes from a large NIDCR supported clinical trial in which pregnant women received scaling, root planning, and other dental treatments.  The authors of the study are Michalowicz BS, DiAngelis AJ, Novak MJ, Buchanan W, Papapanou PN, Mitchell DA, Curran AE, Lupo VR, Ferguson JE, Bofill J, Matseoane S, Deinard AS Jr., and Rogers TB.

Rethinking Isolated Cleft Palate
More than 60 years ago, Dr. Poul Fogh-Andersen published a comprehensive analysis of cleft lip and palate in his native Denmark.  His landmark study led him and scientists to the present day to believe that cleft lip and palate, although often affecting newborns in tandem, are developmentally distinct.  One could occur in isolation without the other, and the variations that Fogh-Andersen painstakingly documented in the mode of inheritance among families and the sexes seemed to bear this out.  In the July 1 issue of the American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, NIDCR grantees and colleagues ask whether the concept of isolated cleft palate needs to be revisited.  Using high-resolution ultrasound, they report discovering retrospectively in four of 27 people born with an isolated cleft palate subtle to distinct breaks in their upper lip orbiculis oris muscle. As the authors noted, disruptions in the orbiculis oris muscle that are not visible to the eye but can be visualized on ultrasound have been hypothesized in recent years as representing the mildest manifestation of cleft lip, and have been observed in family members who are clinically considered unaffected. “Consequently, this raises the possibility that some portion of existing CP [isolated cleft palate] families may actually be mixed cleft or CL/P [cleft lip with or without cleft palate] families,” the authors concluded.  “. . . Moreover, accurate phenotype definition is critical for the classification of cases prior to epidemiological and genetic analysis, since CP and CL/P families are believed to segregate different susceptibility genes.  The study was conducted by Weinberg, SM, Brandon CA, McHenry TH, Neiswanger K, Deleviannis FWB, de Salamanca JE, Castilla EE, Czeizel AE, Vieira AR, and Marazita M.

NEW FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

Requests for Applications:

Roadmap Transformative R01 Program (R01)

Exceptional, Unconventional Research Enabling Knowledge Acceleration (EUREKA) (R01)

Epigenomics of Human Health and Disease (R01)

Measures and Determinants of Smokeless Tobacco Use, Prevention, and Cessation (R01)

Measures and Determinants of Smokeless Tobacco Use, Prevention, and Cessation (R21)

Harnessing Inflammation for Reconstruction of Oral and Craniofacial Tissues (R01)

Harnessing Inflammation for Reconstruction of Oral and Craniofacial Tissues (R21)

Research on Causal Factors and Interventions that Promote and Support the Careers of Women in Biomedical and Behavioral Science and Engineering (R01)

Implementation Planning Grants for Educational, Behavioral, or Social Studies for Translation of Genetic Factors in Common Diseases (U34)

Translation of Common Disease Genetics into Clinical Applications (R21)

Molecular Libraries Screening Instrumentation (R01)

Development of New Technologies Needed for Studying the Human Microbiome (R01)

Development of New Technologies Needed for Studying the Human Microbiome (R21)

Renewal of the National Technology Centers for Networks and Pathways Program (U54)


Program Announcements:

NIDCR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R34)

NIDCR Clinical Trial Implementation Cooperative Agreement (U01)

Using Systems Science Methodologies to Protect and Improve Population Health (R21)

Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R03)

Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R21)

Methodology and Measurement in the Behavioral and Social Sciences (R01)

Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research

Research Supplements to Promote Re-Entry into Biomedical and Behavioral Research Careers

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Treatment (R21)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Pathophysiology and Treatment (R01)

Technological Innovations for Interdisciplinary Research Incorporating the Behavioral and Social Sciences (STTR [R41/R42])

Technological Innovations for Interdisciplinary Research Incorporating the Behavioral and Social Sciences (SBIR [R43/R44])

Exploratory Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R21)

Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R01)

Fogarty International Research Collaboration – Behavioral and Social Sciences (FIRCA-BSS) Research Award (R03)

Fogarty International Research Collaboration – Basic Biomedical (FIRCA-BB) Research Award (R03)

PERSONNEL UPDATE

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.  The TGRB provides a focal point for the Institute’s extramural genetics and genomics research within NIDCR. Dr. Harris earned her Ph.D. in medical genetics from Indiana University and a master’s in public health (epidemiology) from the University of Pittsburgh.  She has 20 years of experience as an extramural researcher in academic and health-care settings, developing and implementing research projects at Johns Hopkins University and at Kaiser Permanente Northwest’s Center for Health Research. She contributed to genetic and epidemiologic research in a variety of areas, including twin studies of periodontal diseases and family studies of birth defects. 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 necessary expertise to enhance the NIDCR’s capabilities with regard to 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.   Dr. Hamilton received her doctor in medicine degree from the New York University School of Medicine and a master’s in public health from the Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina.  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. Dr. Hamilton’s experience runs the gamut of clinical research from serving as a regulator at the FDA, to designing and implementing clinical trials at NIH, to directing the Office of Clinical Research Affairs in NIAID, to being a senior medical director in medical affairs in the pharmaceutical industry.  She has returned to government service bringing with her a combination of knowledge, skills and contacts that are of particular value to NIDCR as it moves forward to strengthen its clinical research program.

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.  He received his DDS from Ohio State University and PhD in ceramic engineering from the University of Illinois.  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.  Dr. Rodriguez-Chavez received his PhD in virology and immunology from the University of Delaware.  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 2008, 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.  She received her Ph.D. in biochemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and a master’s degree in chemistry from the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.

Dr. Victor Henriquez Appointed Scientific Review Administrator
In June 2008, 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.  He received his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Dr. Albert Avila Takes New Position at NIH
Dr. Albert Avila left the NIDCR in July to take a position at the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a health scientist administrator.  Dr. Avila had served as a health scientist administrator in the NIDCR since August 2005.

The following NIDCR staff were recognized by Dr. Zerhouni at the 2008 NIH Director’s Award Ceremony held on July 21. 

The NIH Director’s Award
The Director’s Award is intended to recognize superior performance or special efforts significantly beyond the regular duty requirements, and directly related to fulfilling the mission of the National Institutes of Health.


• Individual Award
  Scientific/Medical Category
  Dr. Kathy Hayes
  
  “For exceptional leadership in directing the science policy and analysis activities of the NIDCR during 2007”
  
  
• Group Awards
• Distinguished Leaders of Peer Review Initiative
  
  Dr. Jeremy M. Berg
  Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak
  
  “For exemplary leadership, dedication and perseverance to “fund the best science, by the best scientists, with the least administrative burden”
  
  Revitalizing Peer Review Team
  
  A group of 31 NIH staff, including Dr. Jennifer Weisman, a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow who worked with Dr. Tabak on this project
  
  “In recognition of exceptional work in supporting the comprehensive, trans-NIH assessment of the system of research support, of which peer review is a major component.”
   
  Genome-Wide Association Studies Policy Development Team
  
  A group of 78 NIH staff, including Dr. Thomas C. Hart
  
  “In recognition of outstanding team work, skill, and dedication in the development
  of the landmark NIH GWAS data sharing policy.”
  
  Multi-Agency Tissue Engineering Science Working Group
  
  A group of eight NIH staff, including Dr. Nadya L. Lumelsky
  
  “For the development of the Multi-agency Tissue Engineering Science Working Group Strategic Plan that charts a course for an integrated federal effort in tissue science and engineering”
  
  DEAS Re-Engineering Team
  
  A group of 43 NIH staff, including Dr. Lynn King, Dr. Pamela McInnes and Ms. Diana Rutberg
  
  “For extraordinary contributions made in support of the NIH extramural science program.”
  
  Roadmap Recognition
  
  A group of 18 NIH staff, including Dr. Robert Lunsford and Dr. Pamela McInnes
  
  “For exceptional service and teamwork in implementation of the second cohort of Roadmap programs”
  
  
  NIH Director’s Award for Mentoring
  The NIH Mentoring Award is designed to support and encourage the continuation of mentoring activities, and to establish mentoring as a core value at NIH.  The award is given to individuals who have demonstrated significant leadership, skill, and ability in serving as a quality mentor to one or more individuals.
  
  Dr. Pamela M. McInnes
  
  “For her extraordinary success in mentoring and coaching both professional and support staff in support of NIDCR’s extramural research program”

PUBLICATIONS

Division of Extramural Research:

Kingman A , Susin C, & Albandar J. Effect of partial recording protocols on severity estimates of periodontal disease. J Clin Periodontal 2008 May 30 (Epub ahead of print).

Pihlstrom BL, Curran AE, Voelker H, Kingman A, Atkinson J.  Randomized controlled trials: Who needs them and what are they? Periodontology 2000 (in press).

Pihlstrom BL, Michalowicz B, Atkinson J, Kingman A.  Clinical trials involving oral diseases.  Chapter on Dental Clinical Trials, in Clinical Trials Handbook, John Wiley, NY (in press)

Hirai H, Miura J, Hu Y, Larsson H, Larsson K, Lernmark A, Ivarsson SA, Wu T, Kingman A, Tzioufas AG, Notkins AL. Selective screening of secretory vesicle-associated proteins for autoantigens in type 1 diabetes: VAMP2 and NPY are new minor autoantigens  Clin Immunol. 2008 Mar 20; [Epub ahead of print]

Mishra BK, Wu T, Belfer I, Hodgkinson CA, Cohen LG, Kiselycznyk C, Kingman A, Keller RB, Yuan Q, Goldman D, Atlas SJ, Max MB.  Do motor control genes contribute to inter-individual variability in decreased movement in patients with pain?  Mol Pain 2007; 26:3-20.

Domingo DL, Freeman AF, Davis J, Puck JM, Wu T, Holland SM and Hart TC.  Novel intraoral phenotypes in hyperimmunoglobulin-E syndrome. Oral Disease 2008 Jan; 14(1):73-81  

Bassim C, Ward T, DeNucci D.  Diabetes and oral health.  2007.  Fed Pract. 24(7); 64-71.

Bassim CW, Redman RS, DeNucci DJ, Becker KL, Nylen ES.  2008.  Salivary procalcitonin and periodontitis in diabetes.  J Dent Res.  87(7); 630-634.

Imanguli MM, Alevizos I, Brown R, Pavletic SZ, Atkinson JC. Oral graft-versus-host disease.  Oral Dis. 2008 Jul;14(5):396-412.

Division of Intramural Research:

Jakubovics NS, Gill SR, Iobst SE, Vickerman MM, Kolenbrander PE. Regulation of gene expression in a mixed-genus community: stabilized arginine biosynthesis in Streptococcus gordonii by coaggregation with Actinomyces naeslundii. J Bacteriol. 190:3646-3657,2008

Li Y, Suggs C, Wright JT, Yuan ZA, Aragon M, Fong H, Simmons D, Daly B, Golub EE, Harrison G, Kulkarni AB, Gibson CW. Partial rescue of the amelogenin null dental enamel phenotype. J. Biol. Chem. 283:15056-15062, 2008.

Lyons JG, Patel V, Roue N, Fok SY, Soon LL, Halliday JM, and Gutkind JS. Snail up-regulates proinflammatory mediators and inhibits differentiation in oral keratinocytes. Cancer Research 68:4525-4530, 2008.

Martin D, Galisteo R, Ji Y, Montaner S, and Gutkind JS. A NF-κB gene expression signature contributes to Kaposi’s Sarcoma Virus vGPCR-induced direct and paracrine neoplasia. Oncogene 27:1844-1852, 2008.

McKnight DA, Suzanne Hart P, Hart TC, Hartsfield JK, Wilson A, Wright JT, Fisher LW. A comprehensive analysis of normal variation and disease-causing mutations in the human DSPP gene. Hum Mutat 2008 Jun 2. [Epub ahead of print, PMID: 18521831].

Moutsopoulos NM, Katsifis GE, Angelov N, Leakan RA, Sankar V, Pillemer S, Wahl SM. Lack of efficacy of etanercept in Sjogren's syndrome correlates with failed suppression of TNF{alpha} and systemic immune activation. Ann Rheum Dis. Jan 15. [Epub ahead of print], 2008

Schmidt M, Govindasamy L, Afione S, Kaludov N, Agbandje-McKenna M, Chiorini JA. Molecular characterization of the heparin dependent transduction domain on the capsid of a novel Adeno-associated virus isolate, AAV(VR-942). J Virol. Jun 4. [Epub ahead of print], 2008

Recent publications from K awardees:

Brickhouse TH, Davis RD, Unkel JH, Kancitis K, Best AM. Infant Oral Health Care: A Survey of General Dentists, Pediatric Dentists, and Pediatricians. Pediatric Dentistry 2008 Mar-Apr;30(2):147-53.

Villanueva I, Hauschulz DS, Mejic D, Bryant SJ. Static and dynamic compressive strains influence nitric oxide production and chondrocyte bioactivity when encapsulated in PEG hydrogels of different crosslinking densities. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 2008 Aug;16(8):909-18.

Nicodemus GD, Bryant SJ. The role of hydrogel structure and dynamic loading on chondrocyte gene expression and matrix formation. J Biomech 2008;41(7):1528-36.

 Nicodemus GD, Bryant SJ. Cell encapsulation in biodegradable hydrogels for tissue engineering applications. Tissue Eng Part B Rev 2008 Jun;14(2):149-65.

Villanueva I, Hauschulz DS, Mejic D, Bryant SJ. Static and dynamic compressive strains influence nitric oxide production and chondrocyte bioactivity when encapsulated in PEG hydrogels of different crosslinking densities. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2008 Aug;16(8):909-18.

Brey DM, Ifkovits JL, Mozia RI, Katz JS, Burdick JA. Controlling poly (beta-amino ester) network properties through macromer branching. Acta Biomater 2008 Mar;4(2):207-17.

 Adams MS, Gammill LS, Bronner-Fraser M. Discovery of transcription factors and other candidate regulators of neural crest development. Dev Dyn 2008 Apr;237(4):1021-33.

Ye L, Zhang S, Ke H, Bonewald LF, Feng JQ. Periodontal breakdown in the Dmp1 null mouse model of hypophosphatemic rickets. J Dent Res 2008 Jul;87(7):624-9.

Ye H, Wang A, Lee BS, Yu T, Sheng S, Peng T, Hu S, Crowe DL, Zhou X. Proteomic based identification of manganese superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) as a metastasis marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer Genomics Proteomics 2008 Mar-Apr;5(2):85-94.

Zhou M, Fives-Taylor P, Wu H. The utility of affinity-tags for detection of a streptococcal protein from a variety of streptococcal species. J Microbiol Methods 2008 Mar;72(3):249-56.

Heaton JT, Kowaleski JM, Bermejo R, Zeigler HP, Ahlgren DJ, Hadlock TA. A system for studying facial nerve function in rats through simultaneous bilateral monitoring of eyelid and whisker movements. J Neurosci Methods 2008 Jun 30;171(2):197-206.

Kreth J, Zhang Y, Herzberg MC. Streptococcal antagonism in oral biofilms: Streptococcus sanguinis and Streptococcus gordonii interference with Streptococcus mutans. J Bacteriol 2008 Jul;190(13):4632-40.

Recent publications from predoctoral F fellows:

 Martinez I, Gardiner AS, Board KF, Monzon FA, Edwards RP, Khan SA. Human papillomavirus type 16 reduces the expression of microRNA-218 in cervical carcinoma cells. Oncogene 2008 Apr 17;27(18):2575-82.