DECEMBER 20, 2001 - NIST ANNOUNCES 2001 ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM AWARDS

The Advanced Technology Program (ATP) at the National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST) is aimed at supporting high-risk, high-payoff proposals from all technology areas. For example, projects covering cutting-edge developments in the areas of tools for DNA diagnostics, photonics, manufacturing, and component-based software have all been supported by the ATP. The Program's focus areas include chemistry and the life sciences, electronics and photonics technology, information technology and applications, and economic assessments. A summary of ATP grants awarded by the NIST in 2001 has been released and is available at http://www.atp.nist.gov/awards/2001list.htm . A detailed description of the ATP is available on the Internet at http://www.atp.nist.gov . Links to these items have been added to the INFORMATION page of this Web site.

DECEMBER 17, 2001 - COMPENDIUM OF BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AT NIH AND NSF POSTED

A compendium of research training and education opportunities in bioengineering and bioinformatics that are offered by the NIH and NSF is available on the Internet at http://www.nibib.nih.gov/training/trainingopps.html . The training opportunities are shown by career level (undergraduate through career) for both agencies and include brief descriptions of the opportunity and appropriate Internet links for announcements and information. This compendium is aimed at providing a comprehensive list of trans-disciplinary training opportunities of interest to students, faculty, and investigators in the quantitative and biomedical sciences. It was developed in response to recommendations resulting from the June 13-14 NIH/NSF Workshop to Assess Needs in Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Research Training and Education. A summary report of this workshop is available at http://www.becon.nih.gov/NSFNIHFinalReport824.pdf .

DECEMBER 17, 2001 - JOINT DOE/NIH WORKSHOP ON THERMOGRAPHY CONDUCTED ON DECEMBER 3-4

A Workshop on Thermographic Approaches to Medical Diagnosis and Therapy was held on December 3-4, 2001, at the Hyatt-Bethesda Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland. Approximately 35 participants from academia, DOE national laboratories, NIH intramural research laboratories, and DOE and NIH extramural research programs attended the workshop. The objectives of this meeting were to (1) identify applications of thermographic approaches to medical diagnosis and therapy using microwave, magnetic resonance, acoustic, and other modalities; (2) facilitate communication and possible research collaborations among DOE laboratory, NIH intramural, and academic investigators; and (3) communicate opportunities for funding related collaborative research. A summary of the workshop including the proceedings and recommendations (executive summary and detailed summary), program, and attendees is available on the Internet at http://www.nibib.nih.gov/events/thermography/index.html ; and associated links are available on the INFORMATION page ("Bioimaging" section) of this Web site. The workshop was sponsored by the DOE's Office of Biological and Environmental Research and the NIH's National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering.

DECEMBER 5, 2001 - DEADLINES APPROACHING FOR JANUARY BRP APPLICATIONS

Investigators interested in submitting applications for NIH Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP's) as specified in announcement PAR-02-010 are reminded that the following deadlines apply for the January submittal date:

• December 13, 2001 - Applicants with budgets exceeding $500 k direct costs in any single year of the project must "seek agreement to accept assignment" from a NIH institute or center in accordance with NIH Policy NOT-OD-02-004.
• December 21, 2001 - Notices of intent (not required) to submit an application for the January deadline are due electronically to noi@nibib.nih.gov.
• January 24, 2002 - BRP applications must be received at the NIH.

A second deadline for BRP applications is scheduled for August 12, 2002. Permission to accept assignment for proposals exceeding $500 k direct costs in any year are due on June 28, 2002; notices of intent (not required) are due on July 12, 2002; and applications must be received at the NIH on August 12, 2002.

Details concerning these items and a list of NIH contacts are available through the FUNDING page of the BECON Web site www.becon.nih.gov and the FOR INVESTIGATORS page of the NIBIB Web site www.nibib.nih.gov.

NOVEMBER 30, 2001 - EXTRAMURAL CO-CHAIRS NAMED FOR BECON 2002 SENSORS SYMPOSIUM

Dr's. Warren Grundfest of UCLA and Milan Mrksich of the University of Chicago have been named Co-Chairs of the BECON 2002 Symposium on Sensors in Biological Research and Medicine. This conference is scheduled for June 24-25, 2002, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. This is the fifth in a series of annual symposia focused on an emerging topic of national and international interest in the field of bioengineering. Intramural NIH Chairs for the symposium are Dr's. Joan Harmon (National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering) and Maren Laughlin (National Institute for Digestive Disorders and Kidney Disease). Planning is continuing for the meeting, and information will be posted on this Web site (WHAT'S NEW and SYMPOSIA pages) as things progress. A detailed symposium Web site containing information on the program, abstract submittal, and registration will be available in the near future.

OCTOBER 12, 2001 - BRP AND BRG PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS RELEASED

Program announcements (PA's) for the BECON-coordinated Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG's) and Bioengineering Research Partnerships (BRP's) were released in the "NIH Guide" on October 11, 2001. The BRG program announcement (PA-02-011) replaces the previous BRG announcement PAR-99-009. Basic concepts and requirements for the BRG program are similar to those specified in the past. A new specification for BRG applications is the use of the NIH modular grant format for applications up to $250,000 direct costs. Deadlines for BRG applications to be received at the NIH are February 1, June 1, and October 1 annually through 2004. The BRP announcement replaces the previous BRP announcement PA-00-024 which ended with the August 10 submittal deadline. Basic concepts and requirements for the BRP program are similar to those specified in the past. Deadlines for BRP applications to be received at the NIH are January 24 and August 12, 2002, with notices of intent due on December 21, 2001, and July 12, 2002. Another difference for both PA's relative to prior specifications is that permission to submit an application with direct costs in excess of $500,000 in any year must be obtained from a NIH institute or center representative at least six weeks prior to the application submittal deadline. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact NIH program staff listed in the INQUIRIES section of the PA's prior to preparing their application.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2001 - VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT ISSUED FOR DIRECTOR OF THE NIBIB

The NIH is seeking exceptional candidates for the position of Director of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). The NIBIB was created by statute and signed into law at the end of December 2000, and was officially established in April 2001. Details concerning the vacancy announcement are available on the Internet at the following url: http://www1.od.nih.gov/ohrm/hrinfo/ses/vacancy/announcement/nibib-dir.htm. Applications must be received at the NIH by the close of business on October 31, 2001.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2001 - DR. JEFFERY SCHLOSS NAMED BECON CHAIR

Dr. Jeffery Schloss of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has been named the new Chair of the NIH's Bioengineering Consortium (BECON). He is currently the Program Director for Technology Development Coordination at the NHGRI and is a charter member of the BECON. Dr. Schloss succeeds Dr. Wendy Baldwin, the Deputy Director of Extramural Research at the NIH, who has chaired the Consortium since its establishment in February of 1997. Dr. Baldwin will remain associated with the BECON in an ex-officio capacity. Administration of the BECON will transition from the Office of Extramural Research to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, the newest of the NIH research institutes. These changes will not affect BECON-coordinated bioengineering research, training, or communication programs. The Bioengineering Consortium consists of representatives of all NIH research institutes and centers and other Federal agencies and serves as the focus for bioengineering activities at the NIH.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2001 - IEEE AND NIBIB ANNOUNCE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOMEDICAL IMAGING

The IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society and the NIH's National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering have announced an "International Symposium on Biomedical Imaging: Macro to Nano" for July 7-10, 2002, at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Washington, DC. This symposium is aimed at bringing together researchers and practitioners with different backgrounds but with common interests in biological and medical imaging to share their knowledge and address the latest challenges in data acquisition, image reconstruction, image processing, analysis, and visualization. Fostering interaction and cross-fertilization, this event will contribute to a fully-integrated approach to biomedical imaging through all scales of observation. The Symposium will include plenary talks by leaders in biomedical imaging, special topical sessions, oral and poster presentations, and industrial exhibits. Papers are due on February 1, 2002, and the registration deadline is May 15, 2002. Detailed information about this conference can be found on the Internet at http://www.biomedicalimaging.org .

SEPTEMBER 14, 2001 - DARPA ANNOUNCES BIOMOLECULAR MOTORS PROGRAM AND WORKSHOP

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is sponsoring a workshop on engineering biological motors on October 22, 2001, in Arlington, Virginia. The workshop will be held to support DARPA's new program titled "Biomolecular Motors" which focuses on the utilization of biological motors in building innovative devices. The one-day workshop will explore components of the program and to nurture discussion and ideas from the community in preparation for proposal submission. The workshop will bring together experts in biological molecular motors, cell biology, muscle physiology, bioengineering, nano- and micro-fabrication tools, materials, and robotics to discuss recent advances is the understanding of the biology, force dynamics, energetics, and engineering of biological motors. The agenda for this meeting will consist of presentations from DARPA and other defense organizations that have interests in this area as well as brief presentations from the community on specific areas relevant to the program goals. The following issues will be explored during the workshop:

1. What are the fundamental barriers and opportunities to utilizing biological motors as useful devices?

2. If these barriers and opportunities are exploited, what useful devices and applications can be envisioned?

3. What are the tools and metrics that are required to make significant progress in science and technology in this area?

Space is limited to l00 attendees and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until registration is complete. Information is available at the following Web site: http://www.eventmakeronline.com/dso/View/index.asp?MeetingID=66

Information on the DARPA Biomolecular Motors Broad Agency Announcement (DARPA BAA 01-47) can be obtained from the "Solicitations" portion of the DARPA Web site at http://www.darpa.mil .

AUGUST 24, 2001 - REPORT OF JUNE NIH/NSF WORKSHOP ON BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS TRAINING ISSUED

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) make significant investments in research training, education, and career development in the multi-disciplinary fields of bioengineering and bioinformatics. During interagency discussions between NIH and NSF regarding their roles in these fields, questions were raised concerning (1) how well current NIH and NSF programs are meeting the needs of these rapidly growing disciplines and (2) whether the agencies should consider collaborative efforts to address training and education gaps. To obtain community input on these issues, a workshop was held on June 13-14, 2001, at NSF Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The objectives of the workshop were to (l) assess needs in bioengineering and bioinformatics research training, education, and career development at all levels and (2) develop a list of recommendations for NIH and NSF collaborative actions to address identified gaps and support the needs with the objective of assuring the availability of future generations of highly-trained professionals in these fields. Twenty-seven participants from academia, industry, laboratories, and foundations with strong interests in bioengineering and bioinformatics participated and provided their perspectives related to the objectives of the workshop. In addition, six senior NIH and NSF staff also participated as information resources during the discussions.

The summary report titled "Assessing Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Research Training, Education, and Career Development: Opportunities for NIH and NSF Collaboration " is now available on this Web site (INFORMATION page). The report contains a detailed assessment of the gaps in research training, education, and career development at all career levels; the main obstacles or barriers to having the gaps addressed; actions that can be taken to make careers in these scientific fields more attractive to all social groups; and collaborative actions for the NIH and NSF to enhance training and education opportunities for the bioengineering and bioinformatics communities. A meeting of a joint NIH/NSF Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Education and Training Committee will be scheduled in the near future to discuss the recommendations and determine a course of action. This workshop was sponsored by the NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and the NSF.

AUGUST 17, 2001 - PHOTOGRAPHS POSTED FROM JUNE REPARATIVE MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM

Selected photographs from the BECON 2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine have been posted on the SYMPOSIA page of the NIH Bioengineering Web site. The Symposium was held on June 25-26, 2001, and attracted around 500 attendees. The link to the photographs is located under the "Reparative Medicine" heading in the "Previous BECON Symposia" section on the SYMPOSIA page. Enlarged photographs can be viewed by clicking on the picture. To return to the collection of photos, click on "Back" in the browser nav buttons. A summary report is in preparation and will be released on the Web site in the near future.

JULY 12, 2001 - CONFERENCE CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF BRAIN RESEARCH AT THE NIH SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 9-10

The National Institute of Mental Health and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke have announced a symposium celebrating 50 years of brain research at the National Institutes of Health. The symposium is scheduled for October 9-10, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Leading scientists and patient voluntary organizations will present and discuss advances in research and treatments for brain disorders. Detailed information and registration information can be found on the Internet at http://www.masimax.com/50brain/. There is no fee for registration.

JULY 2, 2001 - DR. WENDY BALDWIN RECOGNIZED FOR BECON LEADERSHIP AT JUNE REPARATIVE MEDICINE CONFERENCE

On June 26, Dr. Wendy Baldwin, Deputy Director for Extramural Research at the NIH, was recognized for her leadership and dedication as Chair of the NIH's Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) at the BECON 2001 Symposium titled "Reparative Medicine: Growing Tissues and Organs". The Consortium was established in February 1997 to provide a focus for biomedical engineering activities at the NIH and with other Federal agencies, and Dr. Baldwin has been the only BECON Chair during its 4 l/2 year existence. The BECON 2001 Symposium was held during June 25-26 at the Natcher Conference Center and attracted almost 500 scientists, engineers, and clinicians with interests in tissue engineering and reparative medicine.

To commemorate the occasion, a crystal vase engraved with the BECON logo and the inscription "In recognition and appreciation of your leadership and dedication as Chair of the NIH Bioengineering Consortium - 1997-2001" was presented to Dr. Baldwin by Dr. John Watson, Director of the Clinical and Molecular Medicine Program in the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Dr. Watson, a charter member of the BECON and a well-recognized member of the bioengineering community, cited Dr. Baldwin's efforts in providing effective and progressive leadership of the Consortium in addition to fulfilling the demanding responsibilities of her Deputy Director's position. He also recognized that the growth of bioengineering at the NIH in general and the BECON in particular are due in large part to Dr. Baldwin's leadership, foresight, and strong commitment to improving human health and quality of life. Dr. Watson commented that although Dr. Baldwin is not a bioengineer by training, she recognized the benefits that could be realized from applying engineering and physical science principles and techniques to address problems in biology and medicine, and she used her strong administrative and technical skills to increase the importance and visibility of bioengineering at the NIH.

In receiving the award, Dr. Baldwin said "I have so enjoyed my time with the BECON. (The BECON members) all work so hard and are so committed to supporting the best in bioengineering, that it has truly been a pleasure. BECON will always be a high point in my career at the NIH". Under Dr. Baldwin's leadership, the BECON has produced a model program that fosters trans-NIH cooperation and communication in bioengineering, encourages interagency interaction, and supports valuable multi-disciplinary and multi-organizational research and training programs.

JUNE 28, 2001 - BEACON SCHEDULES BIOENGINEERING AND BIOINFORMATICS SYMPOSIUM AND TECH FAIR

The Connecticut Biomedical Engineering Alliance and Consortium (BEACON) is planning a Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Symposium and Technology Fair for October 12, 200, at the Hartford Hospital Education and Resource Center in Hartford, Connecticut. The objectives of the symposium are to present insights into the new research and development efforts underway in virtual instrumentation, medical imaging and storage, and decision support systems; to present examples of successful academic/industrial collaboration in these areas; and to provide an opportunity for students in biomedical engineering, computer science, and the health sciences to learn more about opportunities in these fields. A Technology Fair will be held in conjunction with the Symposium to provide an opportunity for BEACON partners to exhibit the research activities and innovative ideas/devices in the fields of biotechnology and bioengineering via exhibits and poster sessions. Registration is available electronically and at the door. Detailed information is available on the Internet at http://www.beaconalliance.org.

JUNE 26, 2001 - BECON PLANS JUNE 2002 SYMPOSIUM ON BIOSENSORS

The fifth in a series of annual BECON symposia on emerging topics of interest to bioengineering will be on biosensors and is scheduled for June 24-25, 2002, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Intramural NIH Co-Chairs are Dr. Joan Harmon of the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering and Dr. Maren Laughlin of the National Institute for Digestive Disorders and Kidney Disease. Selection of intramural and extramural planning committees will begin in the near future. As plans develop, information will be posted on the NIH Bioengineering Web site. http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html.

JUNE 26, 2001 - BECON CONDUCTS SYMPOSIUM ON REPARATIVE MEDICINE

The BECON 2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine was conducted on June 25-26, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH's Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. About 500 participants attended this conference which is the fourth in a series of annual symposia aimed at items of emerging interest to the bioengineering community. The agenda consisted on plenary talks and ten breakout sessions focused on topics associated with tissue engineering. Extramural Co-chairs for this symposium were Dr's. Helene Sage of the University of Washington and Robert Nerem of Georgia Tech. Intramural NIH Co-chairs were Dr's. Christine Kelley of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Lore Anne McNicol of the National Eye Institute. A summary report will be prepared and posted on the SYMPOSIA Page of the BECON Web site in the near future. http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html.

JUNE 6, 2001 - REGISTRATION REMAINS OPEN FOR JUNE BECON 2001 REPARATIVE MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM

There is still time to register for the BECON 2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine. The symposium will be held on June 25-26, 2001 at the NIH Natcher Conference Center in Bethesda, MD. Registration is limited and spaces are filling up quickly. Interested individuals are advised to register and make travel arrangements as soon as possible. Detailed information and on-line registration are available at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html.

MAY 29, 2001 - NASA MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING WORKSHOP SCHEDULED FOR JULY 17-18

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has scheduled a workshop on Medical Diagnostic Imaging for July 17-18 at the Greenbelt Marriott in Greenbelt, Maryland. The workshop will showcase NASA technologies with application to medical imaging and explore potential commercial partnerships with companies in areas of mutual interest. The meeting is a forum to exchange technical ideas and identify partnership opportunities in licensing, cooperative development, use of unique facilities, and commercial technology development. There is a $50 registration fee for this workshop. Additional information and on-line registration can be found on the Internet at http://www.nasamedicalimaging.com .

MAY 9, 2001 - ABSTRACT DEADLINE FOR BECON 2001 SYMPOSIUM EXTENDED TO MAY 22

To accommodate recent requests, the deadline for receiving abstracts for the BECON 2001 Reparative Medicine Symposium is extended to MAY 22. This conference is scheduled for June 25-26, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Details concerning abstract preparation and the symposium is available on the Internet at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html. Interested attendees are advised to register and make travel plans as soon as possible because space is limited.

APRIL 26, 2001 - ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING APPROVED

On April 20, 2001, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services approved the establishment of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the NIH. At the same time, the NIH's Office of Bioengineering, Bioimaging, and Bioinformatics (OB3) was abolished. This approval enables the NIH to proceed with the search for a Director of the NIBIB, establishment of an Advisory Council, and solicitation of staff positions. Dr. Donna Dean is the Acting Director of the NIBIB. To provide information on the status and progress of the NIBIB during the initial phases of the establishment period, a NIBIB page will be developed as part of the NIH's Bioengineering Web site in the near future. A complete NIBIB Web site will be available near the end of FY 2001. The new page will be announced on this Web site in the near future. Inquiries concerning the NIBIB should be directed to Dr. Donna Dean at the NIH.

APRIL 2, 2001 - SUMMARY AND PRESENTATIONS FROM THE MARCH 23 GRANTEE MEETING POSTED

The First Annual Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP) Grantee Meeting was held on March 23, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. About 80 attendees including BRP grantees from the BRP-1 and BRP-2 programs, members of the Bioengineering Consortium (BECON), and NIH program and grants management staff participated in the one-day meeting. The program included NIH presentations on the BECON and BRP program, the status of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and requirements and experience concerning technology transfer and sharing of research resources. Summaries of each BRP project were also presented by the principal investigators and the slides from these presentations are available in the "Information on Funded Grants and Projects ..." section of the FUNDING page on this Web site. Breakout sessions and plenary discussions were held to address partnership and management issues, NIH issues, intellectual property and commercialization issues, and the future of bioengineering at the NIH were also conducted. A summary of the meeting including the agenda, BECON members, DOE and NSF bioengineering programs, and formatted BRP project summaries is available also on the FUNDING page of this Web site.

MARCH 26, 2001 - LINKS TO NIH TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER INFORMATION ADDED

A new section titled "Technology Transfer, Intellectual Property, and Related NIH Policies" has been added to the INFORMATION page of the NIH Bioengineering Web site. This section includes information and policies on sharing biomedical research resources, conflict of interest, licensing, patents, commercialization, the Bayh-Dole Act, and related technology transfer issues. Ensuring broad access to research tools while preserving opportunities for product development requires thoughtful and strategic implementation of the Bayh-Dole Act. The NIH encourages grant recipients to develop patent, license, and material-sharing policies with this goal in mind with regard to both product development and the continuing availability of new research tools to the scientific community. Specific inquiries concerning technology transfer policies should be directed to the NIH Office of Technology Transfer at NIHOTT@od.nih.gov or 301-496-7057.

MARCH 26, 2001 - SUMMARY OF MARCH 23 BRP GRANTEE MEETING POSTED

The First Annual Bioengineering Research Partnership (BRP) Grantee Meeting was held on March 23, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. About 80 attendees including grantees from the BRP-1 and BRP-2 programs, members of the Bioengineering Consortium (BECON), and NIH program and grants management staff participated in the one-day meeting. The program included NIH presentations on the BECON and BRP program, the status of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, and requirements and experience concerning technology transfer and sharing of research resources. Summaries of each BRP project were also presented by the principal investigators. Breakout sessions and plenary discussions were held to address partnership and management issues, NIH issues, intellectual property and commercialization issues, and the future of bioengineering at the NIH were also conducted. A summary of the meeting including the agenda, BECON members, DOE and NSF bioengineering programs, and formatted BRP project summaries is available in the "Information on Funded Grants and Projects ..." section of the FUNDING page on this Web site.

MARCH 20, 2001 - MISSION STATEMENT AND STATUS OF THE NIH BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING INSTITUTE

The development of the new National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) at the NIH is proceeding with the preparation of an establishment package and mission statement. The NIBIB was signed into law by President Clinton on December 29, 2000.

An establishment package consisting of a mission statement, initial budget, and organization chart has been prepared and transmitted to the Department of Health and Human Services for approval. When approval is received, the search for a director and administrative staff will begin. Information will also be posted on the Internet as part of the NIH Bioengineering Web site until a separate site for the NIBIB is warranted. The current "best estimate" timetable is that the search for a NIBIB Director will begin around mid-to-late April, staffing and space allocation will continue during the remainder of CY 2001, and the Institute will be functional (e.g., making grants) during early CY 2002.

The NIBIB Mission statement as of March 5, 2001, is as follows:

The mission of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering is to improve health by promoting fundamental discoveries, design and development, and translation and assessment of technological capabilities in biomedical imaging and bioengineering, enabled by relevant areas of physics, chemistry, mathematics, materials science, information science, and the computer sciences. The Institute plans, conducts, fosters, and supports an integrated and coordinated program of research and research training that can be applied to a broad spectrum of biological processes, disorders and diseases, and organ systems. The Institute coordinates with the biomedical imaging and bioengineering programs of other agencies and NIH institutes to support imaging and engineering research with potential medical applications and facilitates the transfer of such technologies to medical applications.

In support of this mission, the Institute will:

1. Support research and research training through existing NIH funding mechanisms and take the lead in exploring novel approaches for funding technology development and interdisciplinary research.
2. Form partnerships with NIH institutes and centers to translate fundamental discoveries into research and applications for specific diseases, disorders, or biological processes.
3. Coordinate with other government agencies to translate fundamental or crosscutting discoveries in imaging and bioengineering and related areas of information science and technology assessment into biomedical applications.
4. Encourage and support the development of relevant standards and guidelines that will enable widespread adaptability for biomedical imaging, bioengineering, and related information science and technology and computation by taking a leadership and coordinating role for the NIH.

MARCH 14, 2001 - ABSTRACTS FOR BECON 2001 SYMPOSIUM DUE APRIL 23

Persons interested in submitting and abstract and having a poster display at the June 25-26 BECON2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine are advised that abstracts are due at the NIH on April 23. Instructions for preparing and submitting abstracts can be found on the Symposium Web site at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html. Attendees are also reminded that registration has opened for this conference, and details can also be found on the Symposium Web site. Be advised that registration and poster/abstracts will be limited due to space restrictions at the Natcher Conference Center.

FEBRUARY 22, 2001 - REGISTRATION OPENS FOR BECON 2001 SYMPOSIUM ON REPARATIVE MEDICINE

Registration is now open for the BECON 2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine: Growing Tissues and Organs which is scheduled for June 25-26, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Registration can be accomplished electronically using the Symposium Web site or by mail. The registration fee is $150 for attendees and exhibitors. Early registration is encouraged because space is limited at the conference facility. Extramural co-chairs for this conference are Drs. E. Helene Sage of the University of Washington and Robert Nerem of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Intramural co-chairs are Drs. Christine Kelley (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) and Lore Anne McNicol (National Eye Institute). Details about the conference including registration information is available on the Internet at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html.

FEBRUARY 20, 2001 - THE NIDA ANNOUNCES A NEW PROGRAM - THE CUTTING-EDGE BASIC RESEARCH AWARD

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is pleased to announce a new program, the Cutting-Edge Basic Research Award (CEBRA; http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-01-047.html), which aims to fund a few extremely innovative grants each cycle. This program is intended to support studies that explore the feasibility of a high-risk/high significance approach. The CEBRA is a 3-year program, with the first deadline on April 17, 2001, and regular deadlines thereafter, although no applications will be accepted for the June 1, 2001 deadline. There are two stages to the award: an early R21 exploratory phase, and a subsequent R01 development phase. Both will be reviewed and funded on an expedited basis by NIDA. The CEBRA is a basic (rather than clinical) research award for studies in the areas supported by NIDA's Division of Neuroscience & Behavioral Research. Potential applicants should contact NIDA program staff or Dr. Rebekah Rasooly before submitting an application: Rebekah S. Rasooly, Ph.D., Program Director, Cell Biology & Genetics, Division of Neuroscience & Behavioral Research, National Institute on Drug Abuse/NIH, 6001 Executive Blvd., Room 4260, MSC 9555, Bethesda, MD 20892-9555.

FEBRUARY 20, 2001 - ELECTROMED CONFERENCE ON NONTHERMAL MEDICAL/BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS ANNOUNCED

The Second International Symposium on Nonthermal Medical/Biological Treatments Using Electromagnetic Fields and Ionized Gases (ElectroMed2001) will be held in Portsmouth, Virginia, during May 20-23, 2001. ElectroMed 2001 will highlight research, development, and applications for bioelectric technology on living cells, tissues, organisms, and spores. The symposium is designed to bring together medical professionals, molecular biologists, microbiologists, physicists, electrical engineers, biomedical engineers, and environmental engineers to exchange information on these emerging fields of nonthermal technologies. The conference is sponsored by the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the IEEE Nuclear and Plasma Sciences Society, the Bioelectromagnetics Society, Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology, Hampton Roads Technology Council, the Eastern Virginia Medical School, and Old Dominion University. The deadline for submission of abstracts is March 1, 2001. More information , is available on the conference Web site at http://www.ece.odu.edu/electromed2001.

FEBRUARY 20, 2001 - DARPA ISSUES NEW CALL FOR PROPOSALS IN BIO-COMPUTATION

The Information Technology Office (ITO) of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a call for proposals in their new Bio-Computation Program. The program is aimed at exploring and developing computational methods at the biomolecular and cellular levels. The full program announcement and further information can be found at http://www.darpa.mil/ito/Solicitations/CBD_01-26.html. A proposer information meeting will be held on March 1, 2001 at the Greenbelt, Marriott in Greenbelt, MD. Investigators in the biological sciences are particularly encouraged to apply.

FEBRUARY 15, 2001 - HiRES 2001 ANNOUNCEMENT AND CALL FOR PAPERS

The Society for Molecular Imaging, the National Cancer Institute and the Academy of Molecular Imaging have announced the fourth in a series of bi-annual international meetings focused on high-resolution in vivo imaging in biomedical research. This meeting brings together physicists, biomedical researchers, veterinarians, physicians and engineers working to develop new small animal imaging tools and methods, including research related to PET, MRI, SPECT, x-ray CT, ultrasound, optical imaging, EPR imaging and other modalities. The meeting will be held September 9-11, 2001 at the DoubleTree Hotel and Executive Meeting Center in Rockville, MD. The deadline for abstract submission is May 1, 2001, refer to http://www.ornl.gov/HiRes2001 for more information.

JANUARY 25, 2001 - EXTRAMURAL CO-CHAIRS NAMED FOR JUNE BECON REPARATIVE MEDICINE SYMPOSIUM

Dr's. Robert Nerem (Georgia Tech) and Helen Sage (University of Washington) will be the extra-mural co-chairs for the June 25-26, 2001, BECON symposium titled "Reparative Medicine: Growing Tissues and Organs". This symposium is the fourth annual conference coordinated by the NIH's Bioengineering Consortium and will be held at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH's Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Intramural co-chairs are Dr's. Christine Kelley (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) and Lore Anne McNicol (National Eye Institute). The deadline for abstracts is April 25, 2001, and registration will open around January 31, 2001. Details concerning the symposium are available on the Internet at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html.

JANUARY 4, 2001 - WEB SITE FOR BECON 2001 SYMPOSIUM ON REPARATIVE MEDICINE RELEASED

The Web site for the BECON 2001 Symposium titled "Reparative Medicine: Growing Tissues and Organs" has been released and can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.masimax.com/becon/index.html. This conference is the fourth in a series of annual conferences coordinated by the NIH's Bioengineering Consortium (BECON) and is scheduled for June 25-26, 2001, at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The symposium will consist of plenary talks, breakout sessions, poster displays and abstracts, and vendor displays in areas concerning molecular signaling, genetic approaches, angiogenesis, storage and translational issues, stem cells, bioreactors, functional assessment, in vivo remodeling, biomaterials and scaffolds, and immune response. Registration will begin around January 3l, 2001, and the deadline for abstracts is April 25, 2001. The symposium intramural co-chairs are Dr's. Christine Kelley of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and Lore Anne McNicol of the National Eye Institute. Please keep monitoring the symposium Web site to keep informed of new information and deadlines.

JANUARY 4, 2001 - BURROUGHS WELLCOME FUND ANNOUNCES CAREER AWARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC INTERFACE

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) has announced its newest award program titled "Career Awards at the Scientific Interface" (CASI). The CASI are intended to foster early career development of post-doctoral scientists with backgrounds in physical/computational sciences whose work addresses biological questions and who are dedicated to pursuing a career in academic research. Modeled after the BWF Career Awards in the Biomedical Sciences Program, the CASI provide up to $538.000 in support over five years to bridge advanced post-doctoral training and the first three years of a faculty appointment. The program is open to US and Canadian citizens and permanent residents, and candidates must hold a Ph.D. degree in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistics, or engineering. Detailed program information including an on-line application form is available on the Internet at http://www.bwfund.org/interfaces_in_science.htm.

JANUARY 3, 2001 - NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING ESTABLISHMENT ACT SIGNED INTO LAW

On December 29, 2000, President Clinton signed bill HR 1795 establishing the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at the NIH. The NIH will begin the process of establishing the Institute and then will initiate the search for a director. The search for a director of the Office of Bioengineering, Bioimaging, and Bioinformatics has been cancelled. Current bioengineering activities such as the BECON 2001 Symposium on Reparative Medicine and research initiatives will continue but will eventually become part of the new Institute. The legislation calls for an Advisory Committee that will be formed once the Institute is established. During this period of transition, questions should be referred to Dr. Donna Dean, Senior Advisor to the Acting Director of the NIH, at 301-435-6138 or donna_dean@nih.gov.