In this Issue:
1) Funding Opportunities
2) NIDCR News
3) DHHS/NIH News
4) Science Advances
5) NIDCR Personnel News
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Requests for Applications
Ontogeny of Host Innate Immune Recognition Of and Response to Oral Microbes (R21)
Ontogeny of Host Innate Immune Recognition Of and Response to Oral Microbes (R01)
Effects of Long Term Use of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Oral Mucosa (R21)
Effects of Long Term Use of Antiretroviral Therapy on the Oral Mucosa (R01)
Nanostructured Dental Composite Restorative Materials (R21)
Program Announcements
Simian Models for the Oral Biology of HIV Infection and AIDS-Related Oral Complications (R21)
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Comorbid Conditions (R03)
Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders: Pathophysiological Mechanisms Linking Comorbid Conditions (R21)
International Collaborative Oral Health Research Planning Grant (R21)
Community Participation in Research (R21)
Clinical Trials: Oral Complications of Cancer Therapy (R21)
Pilot Studies: Oral Complications of Cancer Therapy (R21)
NIDCR Clinical Pilot Data Grant (R21)
NIDCR Clinical Trial Planning Grant (R21)
NIDCR Exploratory and Developmental Grants in Research (R21)
Exploratory Collaborations with National Centers for Biomedical Computing (R21)
Understanding and Promoting Health Literacy (R03)
NIDCR Small Research Grants for Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology (R03)
Pharmacogenetics of Fluoride (R01)
Pharmacogenetics of Fluoride (R21)
Oral Health Research Education Grants (R25)
NIDCR NEWS
FY 2007 Congressional Justification Available
The FY 2007 NIDCR Congressional Justification is available on the NIDCR web site.
Availability of Software Program to Assess Total Fluoride Exposure
NIDCR and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute announce the availability of the Nutrition Data System for Research with Fluoride (NDS-R Fluoride), the first software designed to assess total fluoride exposure of humans from both dietary and non-dietary sources. The module was developed collaboratively by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Nutrient Data Laboratory and the University of Minnesota’s Nutrition Coordinating Center . The software is suitable for epidemiological, clinical, and health promotion studies assessing issues such as the relationship of individual fluoride intake from all sources to dental caries, dental fluorosis, and bone health. See additional information about the software program. For information on how to license the NDS-R Fluoride software and the fee schedule contact: University of Minnesota, Nutrition Coordinating Center, 1300 South Second Street, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1015 . Phone: 612-626-95450, Fax: 612-626-9444
E-mail: ncc@epi.umn.edu
Job Opening
NIDCR is recruiting for a health scientist administrator in its Center for Clinical Research.
DHHS/NIH NEWS
More than One Principal Investigator Allowed on Individual Research Awards
In 2006, NIH will begin to implement a Federal-wide policy that allows more than one principal investigator (PI) on individual research awards. The multiple PI model presents an opportunity for investigators seeking support for projects or activities that require a “team science” approach and do not fit the single PI model. The multiple PI approach is intended to supplement, and not to replace, the traditional single PI model. NIH will make the multiple-PI option available for applications submitted in response to a select group of Requests for Applications (RFA) and Program Announcements (PAs) with May-June 2006 receipt dates. Additional initiatives may be selected with October 2006 receipt dates. Based on experience from these pilot initiatives, it is expected that the multiple-PI option will become available for most investigator-initiated research grant mechanisms submitted for January 2007 and later application receipt dates. Please see the Multiple Principal Investigator web site for general information on the new policy:
Change in Timeline for Electronic Submission of R01s
The timeline for submission of R01 grant applications has been shifted from October 1, 2006 to February 1, 2007. The R21 and R03 timeline remains unchanged; these applications must be submitted electronically beginning June 1, 2006. See additional information about the R01 change.
Change in Time of Submission/Receipt of NIH Electronic Grant Applications to Grants.gov
On March 16, NIH announced a change in the time that electronic grant applications must be successfully received by Grants.gov in order to be considered “on time.” Effective April 1, 2006, applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. local time (of the applicant institution/organization) on the submission date(s) described in a funding opportunity announcement. See additional details about the change in grant application dates.
NIH Roadmap Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Research Networks Meeting
On May 31-June 1, the NIH Leadership Forum is presenting findings from the NIH Roadmap-sponsored Inventory and Evaluation of Clinical Research (IECRN) Networks Descriptive Survey and Best Practices Study. The forum provides a venue for attendees to critically review and discuss the IECRN survey and best practice assessments. Clinical research principal investigators, epidemiologists, behavior scientists, clinical study coordinators, pharmacists, biostatisticians, clinicians, data managers, and bioinformatics and information technologists are encouraged to attend. The forum is open to the public and registration is free. The meeting also will be webcast.
NIH Pain Consortium to Hold Symposium on Advances in Pain Research
The NIH Pain Consortium will hold its first annual symposium, “Advances in Pain Research,” April 17-18, 2006 on the NIH campus.
Two NIH Initiatives Launch Intensive Efforts to Determine Genetic and Environmental Roots of Common Diseases
DHHS has announced the creation of two initiatives to speed up research on the causes of common diseases such as asthma, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease. One initiative boosts funding at NIH for a multi-institute effort--called the Genes and Environment Initiative (GEI)--to identify the genetic and environmental underpinnings of common illnesses. The other initiative launches a public-private partnership among NIH, the Foundation for NIH (FNIH), and major pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, especially Pfizer Global Research & Development of New London, CT, and Affymetrix Inc. of Santa Clara, CA. The partnership, called the Genetic Association Information Network (GAIN), aims to accelerate genome association studies to understand the genetic factors influencing risk for complex diseases. See additional information about the genetics initiatives.
U.S. Surgeon General Urges Spanish-Speaking Americans to Know their Family Health History
Calling on Spanish-speaking Americans to know their family health history, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, M.D., M.P.H., announced the availability of a free, web-based tool to help Spanish speakers create a portrait of their family’s health. The tool focuses on six common diseases—heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer and ovarian cancer—and also helps users compile information about other conditions of particular interest to their family. See the Spanish version of “My Family Health Portrait.”
Peer-Reviewed Research Articles Available Free to Public
Selected peer-reviewed medical research articles are available to the public through patientINFORM.org, an online tool developed by participating voluntary health organizations and journal publishers. The voluntary health organizations choose which articles relevant to their disease areas to include on patientINFORM.org. The web site provides consumers with links to the full text of the journal articles as soon as they are published, as well as materials created by the voluntary health organizations to help the patient or family member more fully understand the implications of the research.
SCIENCE ADVANCES
Bringing the Promise of Molecular Medicine to Oral Cancer Screening
See NIDCR’s Inside Scoop.
Let’s Talk OPPERA: A New Study on TMJ Disorders
See NIDCR’s Inside Scoop.
Researchers Studying Diabetes Find a Possible Cause of Infertility
Science News in Brief
Information about the following topics is available at NIDCR’s Science News in Brief:
*Imaging Technique Shows Promise in Detecting Early Signs of Tooth Decay
*New Clues into Onset of Chronic Periodontitis
*Study Finds Periodontal Care Not Linked to Low Birthweight Babies
*Enamel Proteins More Versatile Than Once Thought
*Signaling Pathway Defined in Common Head and Neck Cancer
*Study Shows Transcription Factor Plays Key Role in Pain Process
NIDCR PERSONNEL NEWS
*Dr. George Hausch, acting director of the NIDCR Division of Extramural Activities (DEA), retired on March 3 after more than 43 years of Federal service. Dr. Hausch began his government career in 1963 at the Langley Research Center at NASA. He then came to the NIDCR in 1972 as a health scientist administrator and later was named chief of NIDCR’s Scientific Review Branch. In 2001, he was named DEA acting director.
Dr. Henning Birkedal-Hansen, NIDCR associate director for program development, will serve as acting director of the DEA while a search is underway to find a permanent successor.