FYI from the NHLBI Index
December 2001: Vol. 2, Issue 3
Summaries of Meetings
& Announcements of Upcoming Events
Will We See You in 2002?
We've reserved conference rooms, ordered food, recruited discussion leaders, and even
scheduled a celebrity guest. Now, we're eagerly counting the days until you arrive
for the third annual Public Interest Organization meeting. Topics are similar to last
years', but with a twist - instead of learning from Institute staff and Council members, we're
asking everyone to be prepared to share how your organization funds research, gets involved in
clinical research, and communicates its message. Learn what others are doing, and brainstorm about
what you could do differently. Dr. Lenfant will be available for an "open mike" question-and-answer
session at the end of the meeting, and Council members, NHLBI staff, and other experts will describe
specific opportunities for groups to partner with the NHLBI. The meeting can't be a success without
your participation, however. If you received an invitation and have not yet responded, please do so
by January 7, 2002.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council's
Fall Meetings
The next National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council (NHLBAC) meeting is scheduled
for 8:30 A.M. on February 7, 2002. It is open to the public and will be in NIH Building 31C,
Conference Room 10.
The FYI from the NHLBI staff thanks Ms. Paula Polite and Ms. Sue Byrnes,
members of the NHLBAC, for their efforts in preparing this summary.
Full minutes of Council meetings and summaries of the initiatives
are available.
September 6, 2001
Dr. Lenfant began the meeting with a reminder that September is Sickle Cell Disease Month
and National Cholesterol Education Month. He announced that Dr. Barbara Alving, Director, Division of Blood
Diseases and Resources (DBDR), is the new NHLBI Deputy Director; Dr. Charles Peterson, Director, Blood Diseases
Program, will be Acting Director of DBDR. Dr. Lenfant also mentioned a recent visit from Mr. Tommy Thompson,
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
Council discussed how the NHLBI can implement recommendations to improve the effectiveness and
efficiency of clinical trials and to recruit and retain minority Americans in research careers.
They also received updates on NHLBI health education activities including
Dr. Raynard Kington, Director, NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research,
described the National Research Council report New Horizons in Health: An Integrative Approach.
Dr. Peter Kaufmann, NHLBI, outlined related NHLBI activities.
During the closed portion of the meeting,
the Council concurred on the award of 107 grants for a total cost of $56,005,231.
October 18, 2001
Dr. Lenfant called the Council's 204th meeting to order and thanked four Council
members whose terms expire in October 2001. He noted that the NHLBI is operating under a continuing
resolution until Congress approves the fiscal year (FY) 2002 budget.
The Council discussed two proposed changes to large grant
programs sponsored by the NHLBI. Beginning in FY 2003, applicants for selected programs will be
able to apply for an additional $100,000 to create Skills Development Cores to help new investigators
gain experience in multidisciplinary research. The NHLBI is also revitalizing its Specialized Centers
of Research so that they focus predominantly on the clinical aspects of research; the centers will
now be called Specialized Centers of Clinically Oriented Research, to emphasize the change.
Drs. Gregory Burke, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, and Lori Mosca, Columbia
University Medical School and New York Presbyterian Hospital, summarized recommendations of
the Task Force on Research in Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease. The task force's
objective was to develop a research agenda and an action plan to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Richard Childs of the NHLBI Hematology Branch described the results of an NIH clinical trial
for patients with renal cell carcinoma. The protocol takes advantage of the observation that transplanted
stem cells can launch an immunologic assault on cancer cells. Results from the first 19 patients were
published last year in the New England Journal of Medicine (Vol. 343[11], pages 750-758). Dr. Childs
also discussed advances in treating graft-versus-host disease and their profound effect on patients who
otherwise might have died from transplant-related complications.
The Council discussed 24 research initiatives that the NHLBI has considered supporting.
During the closed portion of the two-day meeting, the Council concurred on the award of 209 grants for a
total cost of $86,509,347.
Upcoming Events
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Targets for New Therapeutics
Dates: 1/10-12/02
Location: Natcher Conference Center - Building 45, NIH, Bethesda, MD.
Details: To facilitate the exchange and integration of scientific information between scientists working in disparate areas relating to lupus, and to identify novel strategies for clinical intervention. Contact niams@courtesyassoc.com for additional information.
American Heart Month
Dates: 2/1-28/02
Details: See your local news media and your local chapter of
the American Heart Association for announcements.
Third Annual Public Interest Organization Meeting
Date: 2/6/02
Location: Bethesda, MD.
Details: Learn how other organizations communicate their messages, support research, and collaborate with researchers.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Advisory Council meeting
Date: 2/7/02
Location: 8:30am - 2:00pm, NIH Main Campus, Building 31C,
Conference Room 10, Bethesda, MD.
Details: All NHLBAC meetings are open to the public.
27th International Stroke Conference
Dates: 2/7-9/02
Location: San Antonio, TX.
Details: The International Stroke Conference highlights recent advances in the treatment and prevention of cerebrovascular disease and stroke.
5th International Congress on Pediatric Pulmonology (CIPP V)
Dates: 2/18-22/02
Location: Nice, France.
Details: CIPP V will offer updates on major aspects of pediatric
pulmonology, including issues pertaining to pediatric pulmonology
in developing countries.
The LAM Foundation Research Conference
Dates: 3/22-24/02
Location: Cincinnati, OH.
Details: Researchers will discuss the pulmonary smooth muscle cell
infiltration and cystic lung destruction that occur during lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).
Cardiac Risk Assessment: New Dimensions for 2002 and Beyond
Dates: 4/5-6/02
Location: Washington, DC.
Details: Sponsored by the American Association of Clinical Chemistry,
the conference will focus on the best methods for diagnosing and monitoring cardiovascular diseases.
Please send us your feedback, comments, and questions by using the appropriate link on the page, Contact the NHLBI.
Note to users of screen readers and other assistive technologies: please report your problems here.
Modified 12/1/01
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