Pediatric Endocrinology: Pediatricians now have access to the results of a 16-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to ascertain the effect of human growth hormone (hGH) on final height in short children who are not hGH deficient (Leschek et al 2004). The study received much attention in the lay press and was used by a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee to recommend that hGH be labeled for this new indication. The trial was designed at an ENGB-supported conference on disorders of human growth and stands as an example of cooperation between extramural and intramural scientists at the NICHD.

Molecular Biology of hGH and Its Receptor: Research on the evolutionary origins of hGH and its receptor protein have led to a remarkable set of discoveries about transposable elements in the human genome, and about how genes evolve to code for more than one protein (Li et al 2001).

Growth Factors: The Branch funds research on the functions of epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and their receptors. This research has led to an understanding of post-receptor intracellular events and to clinical applications of growth factors. For instance, EGF is now used to treat corneal ulcers and severe burns, and EGF-receptor activity is used to plan regimens of chemotherapy for treating breast cancer. In animal models, bFGF crosses the blood-brain barrier and stimulates neurogenesis; it also stimulates stromal cells of human bone marrow to differentiate into neurons, thus providing a reservoir of cells that may be used to treat degenerative neurologic diseases of the brain and spinal cord.

Intersex Conditions: The Branch recently sponsored a research-planning workshop on intersex conditions in infants and children that led to the formation of a network of interested clinical investigators (Meyer-Bahlburg & Blizzard 2004).