Since the last meeting of the National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research
Council, NIDCR Director Lawrence Tabak has met with professional organizations,
research groups, and dental schools to promote collaborative research and to
discuss efforts in areas of extraordinary scientific promise. He also has continued
to be actively involved on several NIH-level committees. In addition to serving
on the newly established NIH Steering Committee that handles governance issues
at NIH, he is co-chairing the NIH Information Technology Working Group. Dr.
Tabak is also a member of the Search Committee for the Deputy Director for Management
of NIH.
The NIDCR Director also spoke at several international meetings, including
the Federation Dentaire Internationale Annual World Dental Congress held in
Sydney, Australia, which he addressed via teleconference on the topic of "Future
Directions of Salivary Research." In November he attended the international
medical conference, "Building A Better World Through Medicine," held
in Jerusalem. While in Israel, he also gave presentations on "The Post-Genomic
Era Enters the Mouth" and "Saliva As a Diagnostic Fluid" at Hebrew
University-Hadassah School of Dental Research and Tel Aviv University School
of Dental Medicine. Other discussions with dental schools included an introductory
meeting with Dr. Leo Rouse, Interim Dean of the Howard University College of
Dentistry, and senior faculty members from Howard's graduate school. Dr. Tabak
provided an overview of advances in oral health research and NIDCR collaborative
activities. Dr. Sharon Gordon, Special Assistant for Research Training, Career
Development and Education, Dr. James Lipton, Special Assistant for Research
Infrastructure and Curriculum Development, and Ms. Lorrayne Jackson, Extramural
Research Analyst and Outreach Specialist, also attended the meeting. Dr. Tabak
also attended the annual meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral
Research in Minneapolis, MN, where he presented an overview and update on the
NIDCR, and he addressed the ADA Board of Trustees in Chicago.
ACTIVITIES OF THE CHIEF DENTAL OFFICER
Since the last Council meeting, Dr. Dushanka Kleinman, Chief Dental Officer,
has participated and contributed to meetings and discussions of the National
Health Service Corps (HRSA), emergency preparedness, and Medicaid dental programs
(American Dental Association). She served as the PHS delegate to the ADA House
of Delegates and was joined by CAPT Dave Clemens, Bureau of Prisons, and alternate
delegates Susan Runner, Food and Drug Administration, and CAPT Carolyn Tylenda,
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CAPT Isabel Garcia represented
the PHS at the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Institutional Relations.
As the Chair of the Chief Professional Officers Board, Dr. Kleinman participated
in discussions of the policy changes for both promotion and deployment readiness.
This fall Dr. Kleinman received the American Public Health Association's John
W. Knutson Distinguished Service Award for Dental Public Health and the Carl
A. Schlack Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States.
ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR
In her role as Deputy Director, Dr. Kleinman continued to work closely with
the NIDCR training, career development, dental school infrastructure and outreach
program directors in the development of new initiatives and program evaluation
plans. She was actively involved in the technical assistance workshops sponsored
by NIDCR for potential U24 applicants (see p. 11—"Technical Assistance
Meetings Held for Enhancing Research Infrastructure and Capacity Building for
U.S. Dental Institutions U24)." She also attended the ADA Council on Scientific
Affairs and participated in the annual meetings of the American Dental Association,
the American Dental Education Association, and the American Association for
Dental Research leadership group. In addition, she continued to serve as a liaison
to the Friends of the NIDCR and worked with Research!America on their public
opinion survey. She also serves as the NIH-CDC liaison and is participating
in CDC's Future's Initiative, an effort to ensure that CDC remains an effective,
proactive public health agency for protecting and improving the health of the
American people. She recently received the Alpha Omega International Dental
Fraternity Achievement Award for 2003.
BUDGET UPDATE
FY 2003
Including the effect of administrative reductions, NIDCR's final appropriation
was $371.6 million.
Funding for research project grants was $211.6 million, in support of 632 awards.
The Centers program was funded at a level of $21.1 million, which will support
12 center awards. Fifteen phase I Dental School Infrastructure Development grants
were awarded. Additionally, 107 Research Career Development Award (RCDA) positions
and 321 full-time training positions were funded.
FY 2004
Conference Allowance
A House and Senate conference committee approved a budget that would provide
$383.3 million for NIDCR after taking into account the effect of any administrative
reductions. This translates to a 3.1 percent increase over the FY 2003 actual
level. Research project grant funding would increase to $229.7 million to support
an estimated 642 awards. The research centers program would be maintained at
12 awards; 3 phase II infrastructure awards would be awarded, and an estimated
107 RCDA and 321 full-time training positions would be funded. NIDCR has reserved
$1.3 million of its FY 2004 budget to fund "NIH Roadmap" initiatives;
all of the NIH Institutes and Centers will contribute towards this effort.
The House has voted to concur with the conference committee; it is anticipated
that the Senate will also concur and that the President will sign this bill
into law.
Continuing Resolution
However, since the bill has not yet become law, NIH and many Federal agencies
continue to operate under a continuing resolution. NIDCR will continue to follow
more restrictive funding policies until the bill is passed by the Senate and
signed into law.
FY 2005
Details of the FY 2005 budget for NIDCR will not be available until public
release, currently scheduled for February 1.
DHHS/NIH/NIDCR ACTIVITIES
New Grants Web Site Unveiled
The federal government's new Grants.gov web site was unveiled on December 9.
The site provides a single, centralized source of information on government-sponsored
grant opportunities as well as the ability to apply for grants online. Funding
opportunities were submitted by five agencies—the Departments of Health and
Human Services (HHS), Commerce, Education, Energy, and Justice. The goal is
to have 50 grant packages posted on the site and 15,000 applications processed
through the portal by the end of FY 2004. HHS, which is the federal government's
largest grantor (awarding 36 percent of all federal grants), spearheads Grants.gov.
Synopses of 242 grants listed under HHS on the web site include grants sponsored
by NIH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Health Resources
and Services Administration. To view the site, go to http://www.Grants.gov/
Trends in the Health of Americans
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released the latest edition
of "Health, United States, 2003 with Chartbook on Trends in the Health
of Americans." This document, which contains valuable information on the
state of Americans' health (including dental health), can be accessed at: www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm
CDC Launches Online Journal to Link Public Health Research and Practice
CDC has launched a peer-reviewed electronic journal focused on prevention,
screening, surveillance and population-based programs that address chronic disease.
Unveiled December 15, Preventing Chronic Disease: Public Health Research,
Practice, and Policy (PCD) , will be targeted primarily to researchers
in chronic disease prevention and intervention, as well as health professionals
who deal with chronic conditions and population health. The electronic journal
will provide a forum for public health researchers and practitioners to share
both study results and practical experience. PCD will be published by CDC's
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
NIH Roadmap Initiatives
Soon after becoming Director of the NIH, Dr. Elias Zerhouni convened a series
of meetings to chart a "roadmap" for medical research in the 21 st
century. The purpose was to identify major opportunities and gaps in biomedical
research that no single institute at NIH could tackle alone but that the agency
as a whole must address to make the biggest impact on the progress of medical
research. NIDCR has been heavily involved in all aspects of the Roadmap planning
and implementation. Dr. Tabak serves as co-chair of the Interdisciplinary Research
Implementation Group, and NIDCR staff members have broad representation on Roadmap
committees. For a full description of the NIH Roadmap Initiative, please see:
http://nihroadmap.nih.gov
NIDCR also is participating in all of the newly established Trans-NIH Roadmap
Initiatives. The Roadmap RFAs that have been released are found at http://nihroadmap.nih.gov/grants/index.asp
Many of the RFAs are relevant to NIDCR activities, and the Institute is encouraging
researchers to take advantage of these opportunities and respond to appropriate
RFAs.
NIH awarded student loan repayment contracts to 1,200 researchers across the
nation in Fiscal Year 2003, a 66 percent increase in the number of awards over
FY 2002, the first year NIH implemented the programs. The 1,197 new contracts
for FY 2003 totaled $63.3 million. Over half of the awards were to researchers
who completed their doctoral degree within the past five years. More than half
of the awardees hold M.D. degrees; more than a third, Ph.D. degrees; 8 percent
have M.D./Ph.D. degrees, and 5 percent have other doctoral degrees. NIH can
repay up to $35,000 annually of their qualified loans and also covers all taxes
related to the payments.
New Office of Extramural Research Director Appointed
Dr. Norka Ruiz Bravo has been named the NIH Deputy Director for Extramural
Research. Previously she was Associate Director for Extramural Activities in
the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. In her new position, Dr.
Ruiz Bravo will advise the NIH Director on extramural policy issues and be responsible
for developing and implementing policies and procedures for extramural research
and training programs funded by NIH.
New Associate Budget Director Appointed
NIH Director Elias Zerhouni has appointed Richard Turman as the new Associate
Director for Budget. He replaces Don Poppke, who retired in September. Turman
previously was with the U.S. Office of Management and Budget where he supervised
staff in the Health Programs and Services Branch and helped formulate the budgetary,
legislative, regulatory, performance and management policies of the Public Health
Service and the Health and Human Services Secretary's office. Most recently
he was director of federal relations for the Association of American Universities.
Fogarty International Center Director Steps Down
Dr. Gerald T. Keusch, who has been Director of the Fogarty International Center
(FIC) and NIH Associate Director for International Research for the past five
years, announced that he will step down from these posts to become Assistant
Provost for Global Health at the Boston University Medical Campus and Associate
Dean for Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health. Dr.
Sharon Hrynkow, who has served as FIC Deputy Director since 2000, will serve
as Acting Director of the Center.
Dr. Zerhouni Speaks at Friends of the NIDCR 2003 Gala Annual Awards Dinner
Dr. Zerhouni was the keynote speaker at the Friends of the NIDCR 2003 Gala
Annual Awards Dinner held November 3, 2003 at the National Press Club in Washington,
D.C. At the dinner, the Friends of the NIDCR presented the Lifetime Achievement
award to Senator Jeff Bingaman (D.-NM); the Public Advocacy Award to Surgeon
General Richard Carmona; the Media Award of Excellence to Sam Champion, broadcaster,
WABC-TV, NY; and the DENTSPLY Harold Slavkin Oral Health Science Education Award
to Sue Maguire, principal, Mount Anthony Union High School, Vermont.
SCIENTIFIC ADVANCES
Scientists Report Early Progress in Tissue Engineering Mandibular Condyle
Researchers have long dreamed of engineering new knees, hips and other body
joints in the laboratory from a person's own bone and cartilage producing adult
stem cells. The challenge has been to figure out how to manipulate these cells
and get them to form tissues that precisely mirror the natural three-dimensional
structure and mechanical strength of our normal, healthy joints. Now, in an
important first step toward realizing this goal, scientists report in the Journal
of Dental Research that they have created a mandibular condyle from rat
adult stem cells that is the precise three-dimensional shape of the human joint.
A mandibular condyle is the knobbed ending of the lower jaw; it joins the lower
jaw to the temporal bone of the skull on both sides of the head at the temporomandibular
joint, or TMJ. Stressing that their findings are preliminary and significant
scientific challenges lie ahead, the researchers said the results are hopeful
because they produced their structure from a single population of stem cells
and prompted them to form two distinct layers of bone and cartilage, a characteristic
feature of a condyle and a first in the field of tissue engineering. The study
was conducted by Drs. J. J. Mao and A. Alhadlaq at the University of Illinois
at Chicago.
Gene Therapy Shows Promise in Treating Sjogren's Syndrome in an Animal Model
Researchers have reported the first successful use of gene therapy to limit
salivary gland inflammation and preserve saliva flow in a mouse model of Sjogren's
syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that can render people unable to produce saliva
or tears. The scientists found that transferring the gene for human interleukin-10
(IL-10) via an adeno-associated virus into the animals' salivary glands reduced
salivary gland inflammation and preserved saliva flow. The treatment worked
whether it was started before or after the onset of salivary dysfunction. The
scientists describe their findings in the November 20 issue of Human Gene
Therapy . Collaborating on the study were Drs. Bruce Baum, Marc Kok, Seichii
Yamano, Beatrijs Lodde, Jianghua Wang, Antony Voutetakis, Michael Schmidt, Sandra
Afione, Stanley Pillemer, Marjorie Tsutsui and John Chiorini from NIDCR; Ross
Couwenhoven from the University of Maryland Dental School; Derek Leroith and
Shoshana Yakar from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Disorders; and Paul-Peter Tak from the University of Amsterdam.
Complete Genome Sequence of P. Gingivalis Strain W83
P. gingivalis, a gram negative anaerobic bacterium, is frequently
isolated from patients with severe forms of adult periodontitis. In September
1997, NIDCR made a commitment to support the sequencing of the entire genome
of this microbe to learn more about the ways it causes disease and how we can
effectively attack it. Following release of the raw sequence on the Internet
in the summer of 2002, the investigators began a thorough search for important
genes. In the September 2003 issue of the Journal of Bacteriology ,
Drs. Karen Nelson et. al report that the microbe contains at least six genes
for adherence to human tissues, 36 previously unidentified genes for protein-degrading
enzymes, and the capacity to metabolize many amino acids and produce toxic metabolic
endproducts. These findings implicate many new ways this microbe can damage
gingival tissues and contribute to the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases.
The sequence data, available at TIGR, GenBank, and the Los Alamos Oral Pathogen
Database websites (see http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/research_resources.asp),
continue to be a long-lasting resource for microbiologists and immunologists
as they study the role P. gingivalis in infection and its relationship
to other medically important bacteria.
Study Sheds Light on Chronic Pain Processing in TMJ Disorders
The discovery of the neuronal circuitry involved in pain sensation is important
for the development of successful therapeutic strategies. Understanding the
peripheral, spinal cord, and brain areas that are active in pain sensation will
help scientists understand how pain is sensed in the periphery, modified in
the central nervous system, and integrated with other psychosocial influences
in cortical brain areas. Reporting in the October 2003 issue of the Journal
of Comparative Neurology , NIDCR-supported researchers describe the neuronal
circuitry that is activated after inflammation of the masseter muscle, a masticatory
muscle of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The significance of their work
lies in the identification of pathways and brain regions important in processing
deep tissue pain derived from the TMJ. Moreover, the results help formulate
an integrated picture of chronic pain processing in TMJ disorders. The scientists
found that the processing of TMJ pain proceeded through two specific areas of
the trigeminal nucleus and that these areas projected rostrally to the nucleus
submedius of the thalamus and the parabrachial areas of the brain. These areas
of the brain are thought to play an important role in the integration of nociceptive
behavior, including the motivational and affective aspects of pain, as well
as emotional and autonomic responses, since these areas also are activated by
other aversive stimuli. The research was conducted by Drs. Ke Ren, Ronald Dubner,
Tetsuya Ikeda, Ryuji Terayama, Seong-Suk Jue, and Shinichi Sugiyo at the University
of Maryland, Baltimore.
Iowa Study Helps Identify Genes Important for Bone Development
Increasing evidence suggests that genetic factors play a critical role in bone
accrual in childhood and adolescence. NIDCR-supported researchers at the University
of Iowa analyzed the relationship between genotypes at candidate gene loci and
bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in 428 healthy, non-Hispanic
white children participating in the Iowa Bone Development Study. BMD and BMC
were measured in the hip, spine and whole body of 288 girls and 200 boys, ages
4.5 - 6.5 years old. The investigators included genotypes at 14 loci representing
eight candidate genes [type 1 collagen genes (COL1A1 and COLLaA2), osteocalcin,
osteonectin, osteopontin) and vitamin D receptor (VDR), estrogen receptor (ER),
and androgen receptor (AR]. COL1A2 and osteocalcin genotypes were identified
as having the strongest and most consistent association with BMD/BMC measures.
Data from the study suggest that genetic variation at multiple genetic loci
is important in bone accrual in children. Moreover, the gene-by-gene interaction
effects observed between ER, VDR and osteocalcin suggest that the combination
of genotypes at several loci may be just as important as a single genotype in
determining BMD/BMD in children. The study appeared in Osteoporosis International
and was conducted by Marcia Willing, James Torner, Trudy Burns, Kathleen
Janz, Teresa Marshall, Julie Gilmore, Sachi Deschenes, John Warren, and Steven
Levy.
Oral Cavity May Provide Accessible Model for Studying HIV-1 Shedding
NIDCR-supported investigators found that the oral cavity may serve as an easily
accessible surrogate model for studying the dynamics of HIV-1 shedding at mucosal
sites. They compared and characterized the virus strains shed in saliva to those
isolated from blood from the same individuals. Their findings indicate that
the virus strains identified in both fluids had similar characteristics. The
relatively homogenous viral populations detected in plasma and saliva prior
to seroconversion suggests that HIV-1 is disseminated to oral fluids early in
infection. The research team included Diane Shugars, Stephanie Freel, Susan
Fiscus, Christopher Pilcher, Prema Menezes, Julieta Giner, Ericka Patrick, Jeffrey
Lennox, Charles Hicks, and Joseph Eron who are from the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University Medical Center, Emory University and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The findings were reported in
the September 26 issue of AIDS.
MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS
NIDCR To Sponsor Training Conference
NIDCR will host a meeting for trainees, fellows, and training program directors
on the NIH campus on April 19-20, 2004. The conference is designed to provide
scientific professional development training that is important for achieving
scientific independence and productivity. Among the topics to be covered are:
an overview of the NIH grants process and grant writing; a training grant technical
assistance workshop for program directors and staff; and a session on developing
skills for an academic career. In addition, the conference will provide a forum
for training directors and trainees to interact with one another and with NIH
staff, and for participants to obtain information about the resources and research
initiatives of NIDCR and NIH.
NIDCR To Host Workshop on Clinical Trials
NIDCR will host a workshop on "Methods for Enhancing the Efficiency of
Dental/Oral Health Clinical Trials: Current Status, Future Possibilities,"
May 6-7, 2004 on the NIH campus. The primary focus of the workshop is to assess
the state-of-the-science and identify future research needs for biomarkers,
surrogate endpoints, and technologies for clinical trials in oral diseases.
The workshop will lead to the identification of research opportunities to enhance
the efficiency of dental/oral health clinical trials. It also will consider
ways in which clinical trials of other diseases have benefited from the use
of new methods and technologies and might serve as an example for new approaches
to dental/oral health studies. In addition, regulatory considerations from the
Food and Drug Administration will be discussed. A reactor panel will provide
an assessment of those research opportunities that have the most promise for
application to oral diseases and conditions . Additional information about the
workshop is available at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/news/events050604.asp
To register, go to: https://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=11127
American Public Health Association Annual Meeting
During the annual American Public Health Association meeting held in San Francisco
in November 2003, a scientific session was held on reducing disparities in early
childhood caries. The panel was comprised of directors of the NIDCR Centers
for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities and included Drs. Raul Garcia
from Boston University, Jane Weintraub from the University of California at
San Francisco, and Peter Milgrom from the University of Washington. In addition,
Dr. Ruth Nowjack-Raymer, director of the NIDCR Health Disparities Research Program,
gave the opening presentation on "Research to Eliminate Oral Health Disparities"
that provided contextual information about NIDCR's "Plan to Eliminate Craniofacial,
Oral and Dental Health Disparities," the Institute's cross-cutting health
disparities initiatives, and current scientific opportunities.
Biofilms 2003
NIDCR provided support for the 3 rd American Society for Microbiology conference
on microbial biofilms—"Biofilms 2003"—held in Victoria, British Columbia,
on November 1-6, 2003. As in the past, the oral infectious diseases community
was well represented at the meeting. A consistent topic was the unique opportunity
to use the oral cavity as a model system for the study of multispecies biofilms.
NIDCR-supported investigators presented papers demonstrating state-of-the-art
methods for studying complex microbial interactions in the pathogenesis of disease.
Gordon Research Conference on Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration
NIDCR provided support for the newly established Gordon Research Conference
on Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration. The international meeting,
held in Ventura, CA in January 2004, provided a forum for the exchange of information
about the latest progress in craniofacial research. Sessions topics included:
neural crest, ectoderm and endoderm interactions; craniofacial patterning, signaling
interactions and gene regulation; functional significance of placodes to craniofacial
development; suture biology; human syndromes involving craniofacial defects;
and tissue engineering. In addition to advancing the understanding of regulatory
mechanisms of craniofacial development and tissue regeneration, the conference
sparks new scientific collaborations and fosters the growth of young scientists.
Dr. Rochelle Small, program director of the NIDCR Developmental Biology and
Mammalian Genetics Program, participated in the meeting. Future meetings will
take place every two years.
Other Meetings Attended by NIDCR Staff:
Academy of General Dentistry's Task Force on Health Literacy
ADA Standards Committee on Dental Informatics
AIDS Vaccine 2003 Conference
Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students
Annual Meeting of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States
Annual Meeting of the Society for Neuroscience
Bioinformatics of Brains: From Genes and Proteins to Behaviors
Department of Defense Joint Medical Technology Workshop
Gerontological Society of America
Mechanics of Biological and Biologically Inspired Materials and Systems
Microbial Genomes 2003
NASA Tech Briefs Nanotech 2003 Conference
National Center for Research Resources Research Centers in Minority Institutions
National Science Foundation and NIH Workshop on Nanobiotechnology
NCI's Tobacco Research Opportunities Retreat
Oral Immunology and Microbiology Research Group Annual Meeting
Polymicrobial Diseases Conference
Skin Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee and the Diabetes Mellitus Interagency
Coordinating Committee
Society for Women's Health Research
Testing Interventions to Improve Adherence to Pharmacological Treatment Regimens
21 st Annual Symposium on Non-Human Primate Models for AIDS
Women's Interagency HIV Study
RESEARCH TRAINING, CAREER DEVELOPMENT, AND EDUCATION UPDATE
NIDCR is supporting the AIDS International Training and Research Program (D43)
(PA-03-018) that provides HIV/AIDS-related research training to strengthen the
capacity of institutions in developing countries and newly independent states.
The program aims to build multidisciplinary biomedical and behavioral research
capacity for the prevention of HIV/AIDS-related infections and for the integration
of prevention with therapy and care for those adults and children affected by
HIV/AIDS in the collaborating country. Additional information is found at: http://www.fic.nih.gov/programs/aitrp/pd_contact.html
NIDCR is supporting programs for foreign dentists and other health care providers
to learn about and research the oral manifestations and mucosal transmission
of HIV/AIDS. The NIDCR-supported programs are located at Baylor College of Medicine,
the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Washington.
National Research Council (NRC) Report
Staff is working with the Institute of Medicine, the American Dental Education
Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Association for
Dental Research to provide input into the National Research Council report on
"Monitoring the Changing Needs for Biomedical, Behavioral, and Clinical
Research Personnel." NIDCR-derived data pertaining to training and career
development awards was provided to the Dental Panel for the "Committee
on Monitoring the Changing Needs for Biomedical, Behavioral, and Clinical Research
Personnel."
Visits to Dental Schools and Pre-Dental Societies
Dr. Sharon Gordon, Special Assistant for Research Training, Career Development
and Education, presented information about NIDCR research training opportunities
to: the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry; University
of Washington School of Dentistry; A.T. Still University Arizona School of Dentistry
and Oral Health; the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
School of Dentistry; Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry; the
New York University College of Dentistry; and at the Annual Meeting of the Hispanic
Dental Association. In addition, she spoke about preparation for dental school—including
research-related activities—when she met with pre-dental interns on the NIH
campus on September 26.
RESEARCH INFRASTRUCTURE, CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT AND RECRUITMENT/RETENTION UPDATE
Technical Assistance Meetings Held for "Enhancing Research Infrastructure
and Capacity Building for U.S. Dental Institutions (U24)"
On October 30 and November 5, 2003, NIDCR held technical assistance meetings
at NIH for potential U24 applicants. A total of 30 institutions participated
in these sessions, either in person or via videoconference. Participants included
institutions that had received an R24 award, as well as those that had not.
In preparation for these meetings, a set of "Guidelines for the U24 Application"
was prepared and posted on the NIDCR website at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/funding/u24guidelines.asp
FAQs for U24 and Annotated RFA
Based in part on the questions and concerns raised at the two U24 technical
assistance sessions, staff prepared a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
which are available on the NIDCR website at: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/funding/u24faq.asp
Copies of the FAQs, annotated RFA, and updated guidelines were sent via e-mail
to each technical assistance meeting attendee and associate deans for research
at all U.S. dental schools. The annotated RFA also will be forwarded to members
of the U24 review panel.
Other Activities
Staff visited the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry on November
24, 2003 to discuss the U24 award at that institution. Staff also visited
two R24 awardees—at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine
and Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery—in November to
meet with their Internal Advisory Committees.
Staff met with representatives from Nova Southeastern University College
of Dental Medicine on October 3, 2003 and Howard University College of Dentistry
on November 18, 2003 to discuss NIDCR programs in research infrastructure,
curriculum development, recruitment, and outreach.
Staff submitted a symposium workshop proposal on "Enhancing Research
Capabilities of U.S. Dental Schools," that would be held during the
annual meeting of the American Dental Education Association in March 2004.
The proposal was accepted and the symposium will take place on March 8.
Speakers will include Dr. Charles Bertolami, Dean of the University of California
at San Francisco School of Dentistry, Dr. Timothy DeRouen, University of
Washington School of Dentistry, Dr. Thomas Hart, Clinical Director, NIDCR,
and Dr. James Lipton, NIDCR.
DIVISION OF BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCES
Requests for Applications (RFAs)
The following RFAs have been released since the last meeting of the NADCRC:
In the first round of applications submitted November 15,
NIDCR received 13 requests for Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA microarrays
and 11 requests for Streptococcus mutans DNA microarrays. The applications
were reviewed for programmatic relevance and the availability of adequate facilities
to properly use the arrays. TIGR is now preparing the slides and will distribute
them shortly with detailed information on the best methods to get superior results.
For further information, see: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/dbts/NIDCR_TIGR_Facility.asp
Los Alamos National Laboratories—Oral Pathogen Sequence Database
The Oral Pathogen Sequence Database now includes the sequence
for two Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) strains and a Fn plasmid. This
NIDCR-supported resource provides numerous tools for the analysis of the Fn
genome and proteome. The database also contains the sequences for Porphyromonas
gingivalis and Streptococcus mutans . For further information,
see: http://www.oralgen.lanl.gov/
DIVISION OF POPULATION AND HEALTH PROMOTION SCIENCES
Requests for Applications (RFAs)
The following RFAs have been released since the last meeting of the NADCRC:
NIDCR/CDC Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Data Resource Center Develops New
Product
The Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Resource Center (DRC) recently developed
a catalogue of dental and oral health questions used in national and state health
surveys. The catalogue is searchable both by topic and survey and will be available
in CD ROM format. It also will be placed on the Data Query System (DQS) for
public access at http://drc.nidcr.nih.gov/
DIVISION OF INTRAMURAL RESEARCH
Meeting of Board of Scientific Counselors
On December 4-5, 2003, the Board of Scientific Counselors reviewed the Craniofacial
Developmental Biology and Regeneration Branch and Matrix Metalloprotease Unit.
The review was highly successful and the board members praised participants
in both groups for their outstanding scientific achievements.
Significant New Publications
The receptors for mammalian sweet and umani taste. 2003. G. Q. Zhao, V. Zhang,
M. A. Hoon, J. Chandrashekar, I. Erlenbach, N. J. P. Ryba and C. S. Zuker. Cell
, 115: 255-266.
MT1-MMP-dependent, apoptotic remodeling of unmineralized cartilage: a critical
process in skeletal growth. 2003. K. Holmbeck, P. Bianco, K. Chrysovergis, S.
Yamada and H. Birkedal-Hansen. J. Cell Biol ., 163: 661-669.
Renovations
The opening of the new animal care facility was delayed until the beginning
of 2004 to permit upgrading of new ventilation fans. The upgrade will maximize
the utility of animal holding rooms. On the 4th floor, the Craniofacial Developmental
Biology and Regeneration Branch will begin phase 3 renovations in January; the
entire south wing is now complete. Renovations of the laboratories for the new
Clinical Director on the 5th floor in Building 10 are under way with an expected
completion date in early spring.
INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Meetings with Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Dr. Lois Cohen, Associate Director for International Health, was an invited
guest at the Advisory Board meeting of the Institute of Musculoskeletal Health
and Arthritis, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in London, Ontario, on
October 2-3, 2004. She gave a presentation on the oral health research mission
and priorities of the NIDCR and discussed how the Institute engages in international
collaborative research.
Staff from the Office of International Health met with Dr. John Frank, Scientific
Director of the Institute for Population and Public Health within the Canadian
Institutes of Health Research, when he visited NIH on October 28. Staff shared
NIDCR's interest in international collaborative oral health research, described
ongoing activities and available mechanisms (including the R21 International
Collaborative Oral Health Research Planning Grant), and provided a list of Canadian
institutions and principal investigators receiving NIDCR grant funding.
International Research on Craniofacial Anomalies
Dr. Kevin Hardwick, International Health Officer, traveled to Bologna, Italy,
November 18-22, 2003 to attend the 7th European Craniofacial Congress and to
participate in a meeting of the NIDCR-WHO joint project on International Research
on Craniofacial Anomalies. A goal of the project is the development of a global
registry for craniofacial birth defects. WHO has enlisted the assistance of
the International Centre for Birth Defects (ICBD) in Rome, Italy in this effort.
Dr. Pierpaolo Mastroiacovo, Director of the ICBD, reported that the basic database
has been constructed, and that to date, 41 birth defects registries from around
the world have agreed to contribute to the global registry. Efforts continue
to recruit even more registries, including the new National Birth Defects Prevention
Network in the U.S. The global registry will be housed at ICBD in Rome and ICBD
will provide the data to WHO on a regular basis. Summary data and data tables
will be available on a public website through the WHO, enabling researchers
to explore potential research questions and generate hypotheses and protocols
for more detailed studies. Access to case-level data will be granted to researchers
who submit an application for further research, with access controlled by a
steering committee established by WHO.
International Research Addressing Gaps in Oral Health
Dr. Cohen participated in the 7th Global Forum for Health Research (GFHR),
held in Geneva on December 1-5, 2003. She served as chairperson of a session
entitled, "The Role of International Collaborative Research in Addressing
the 10/90 Gap in Oral Health." This session, only the second oral health
session in the history of the Global Forum, introduced the NIDCR mission in
international oral health research and focused specifically on one of the NIDCR
International Collaborative Oral Health Research Planning Grants. The featured
grant aims to develop a measure for oral disease burden in diverse socioeconomic
and geographic environments. The principal investigator based at the University
of Texas at Houston and collaborators from South Africa and the UK described
their research and initiated a discussion about measurement issues for ethnic
and cultural differences; resource availability in various sites; measurement
issues related to SES across population sites; issues surrounding the establishment
and sustainability of international networks; the need for grantsmanship workshops
to facilitate the subsequent application processes; and the need for the development
of a current international collaborative oral health research agenda that addresses
reduction of the 10/90 gap.
Next year's 8th GFHR will take place in Mexico City and will coincide with
the World Summit for Health Research, affording a unique opportunity to raise
the visibility of research on the 10/90 gap with Ministerial level officials.
2003 David E. Barmes Lecture Available on Videocast
Dr. Bruce Alberts, President of the National Academies of Science, presented
the 2003 David E. Barmes Global Health Lecture November 3 on the NIH campus.
Dr. Alberts' lecture, "Spreading Science Throughout the World: How, Why
and When?" may be viewed via videocast at: http://videocast.nih.gov/PastEvents.asp?c=998
NATIONAL ORAL HEALTH INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE UPDATE
NOHIC Coordinating Panel
Plans are under way for the 2004 meeting of the National Oral Health Information
Clearinghouse Coordinating Panel, which will be held on Tuesday, March 2 in
Bethesda, MD.
Patient Advocates Forum
Preparations are also moving forward for the 5th annual NIDCR Patient Advocates
Forum. The 2004 meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 27, in Building 31 on
the NIH campus.
DIVERSITY AND EEO ACTIVITIES
NIH EEO Restructuring
As part of the continuing restructure of NIH administrative functions, the
NIH and Institute/Center EEO programs have been targeted for centralization.
The Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management (OEODM) established
a transition workgroup to develop the proposed restructure plan and all aspects
of the transition process. The NIDCR Diversity Program Manager, Sharrell Butler,
serves on the transition workgroup. The workgroup expects to submit a plan to
the NIH Steering Committee for review and approval within the next 90 days.
Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) Update
At the end of FY 2003, the NIDCR workforce was comprised of 466 staff, including
223 employees, 142 trainees/fellows, and 81 contractors, guest researchers,
Inter-governmental Personnel Act staffers and special volunteers. There were
32 employees with disabilities, accounting for 6.9 percent of the workforce.
The workforce profile included 25.7 percent White males, 25.7 percent White
females, 24.2 percent Asians, 9.9 percent African Americans, 6.0 percent Hispanics,
and 0.4 percent Native Americans. In FY 2003, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC) suspended the setting of targeted goals by Federal agencies
pending the FY 2004 release of new labor force availability data for comparison
purposes.
Recruitment and Education Outreach
The NIDCR Office of Diversity Management (ODM) participated in the NIH Native
American PowWow Initiative to address health disparities and recruit Native
Americans for training and employment opportunities. ODM staff exhibited at
seven Powwows within a 250-mile radius of the NIH. Health education materials
related to diabetes, dental care, and oral cancer were provided to over 1,500
attendees.
The Office of Diversity Management coordinated and presented a trans-NIH workshop
at the annual American Indian in Science and Engineering Society Conference
on November 22, 2003. Through this collaborative effort with the National Institute
of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH),
the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and
the NIH Office of Education, students were provided with an overview of the
NIH, intramural and extramural training and funding opportunities, a step-by-step
review of the on-line application process, and a student's perspective from
a Native American post-baccalaureate intern with the NIDCR Division of Intramural
Research. A total of 29 students were reached through this effort and the Career
Fair exhibition at the conference.
Workplace Diversity Initiative
The NIDCR Diversity Program Manager collaborated with National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institute of Child
Health and Human Development (NICHD) and National Institute on Deafness and
Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), and National Institute of Nursing Research
(NINR) Equal Employment Opportunity Managers to develop a mandatory six-hour
EEO and diversity training on-site session for all managers and supervisors.
Four sessions have been held since the pilot began this summer and half of NIDCR
managers and supervisors have been trained. Additional sessions will be held
in January and February 2004. The training model will be available for presentation
by other NIH Institutes and Centers.
ODM staff continued to support the NIH Special Emphasis Program observances.
Staff served on the planning committee for the NIH "Got Accessibility"
Assistive Technology Expo held October 22, 2003. The Expo featured exhibits
and workshops by vendors and Federal agencies offering state-of-the-art technology
available in support of Section 508 accessibility requirements. In addition,
staff support was provided for the NIH Native American Heritage Month program
on November 13, 2003. Both programs provided a venue for NIH managers and employees
to expand their understanding of the diverse issues that arise in the workplace.
The NIDCR Diversity Program Manager was an NIH representative at the 2003 Leadership
Summit and Diversity Gala held October 14-15, 2003. The summit provided a unique
opportunity for NIH to address Diversity Best Practices with private sector
leaders. NIH Director Elias Zerhouni was honored with the Government Diversity
Leadership Award. He also participated in a CEO Roundtable on Diversity Best
Practices along with nine chief executive officers who also were honored for
their outstanding efforts.
PERSONNEL
With the NIH Roadmap now under way, NIH Director Elias Zerhouni has begun
to assemble a team to coordinate the implementation of related activities.
As part of this effort, Dr. Zerhouni asked Dr. Dushanka V. Kleinman, NIDCR
Deputy Director, to serve in the new Office of Director position of Assistant
Director for Roadmap Coordination, effective December 15, 2003. During this
initial six-month detail, Dr. Kleinman will work closely with the NIH Roadmap
Implementation Coordination Committee, designated Roadmap liaisons from
the NIH Institutes and Centers, the to-be-named Senior Advisor for Clinical
Research Re-engineering Activities, and OD Senior Staff to facilitate policy
development and key decisions related to Roadmap implementation. In addition,
a team of advisors will be formed to address key aspects such as monitoring,
communication, and evaluation. Dr. Kleinman will continue her role as Chief
Dental Officer, USPHS, during this detail.
Dr. Henning Birkedal-Hansen, NIDCR Scientific Director, is serving as
the NIDCR Acting Deputy Director during the period of Dr. Kleinman's detail.
While the timeframe for Dr. Kleinman's return to NIDCR from her detail is
unclear, it is expected that Dr. Birkedal-Hansen will remain in the NIDCR
Office of the Director after Dr. Kleinman's return. A formal search will
be initiated in the near future for a permanent Scientific Director.
Effective January 2, 2004, Dr. Pamela Robey, chief of the NIDCR Craniofacial
and Skeletal Diseases Branch, will serve as acting Scientific Director of
NIDCR.
The activities of the dental category of the U.S. Commissioned Corps have
increased due to the changes resulting from Secretary Tommy Thompson's announced
transformation of the Corps last July. To help with these activities, Dr.
James Lipton will now be serving full-time as the senior advisor to the
Chief Dental Officer (Dr. Dushanka Kleinman). Dr. Lipton is a senior officer
who has had experience with both the regional and central offices of the
PHS and has served as Chair of the Dental Professional Advisory Committee.
In addition to his international activities, Dr. Kevin Hardwick will take
on the responsibility for the NIDCR dental school infrastructure and curriculum
development program. Dr. Hardwick has worked with dental schools both nationally
and internationally at the Health Resources and Services Administration
and at the National Institutes of Health.
Dr. Ricardo Martinez, NIDCR Associate Director for Program Development,
retired from government service on November 21. Dr. Martinez was recruited
to the NIDCR as Director of the Extramural Program in 1998. In 2001, he
took on the position of Associate Director to help establish long-range
research priorities for the NIDCR. As part of this task, he convened a series
of expert panels on a number of topics. See: http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/research/long_range_research_opps.asp
These panels contributed greatly to the development of the Institute's Strategic
Plan. Dr. Martinez also served as Executive Secretary of the National Advisory
Dental and Craniofacial Research Council and of the Institute's Board of
Scientific Counselors. He co-chaired the NIH Hispanic Task Force and was
a member of the NIH Diversity Council and the Board of the Extramural Associates
Program. Dr. Martinez is relocating to Southern California where he plans
to continue his efforts to enhance the participation of underrepresented
minorities in the sciences and health professions.
With the departure of Dr. Martinez from government service, Dr. Norman
Braveman, Assistant to the NIDCR Director, is serving as the Executive Secretary
of both the Board of Scientific Counselors and the National Advisory Dental
and Craniofacial Research Council. In addition, Dr. Braveman will take the
lead in coordinating future ad hoc panels that NIDCR will convene to help
advise the Institute on future scientific directions.
Dr. Jack London, NIDCR Assistant Scientific Director, recently retired
from Federal service. He had a long career with the NIDCR and NIH, beginning
as a predoctoral and then postdoctoral fellow. In 1968 he became a research
microbiologist in the Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology and later
was named a section chief in the Laboratory of Microbial Ecology. In 1996,
Dr. London was appointed as a Special Assistant to the Scientific Director.
He served in that position until 1998 when he was asked to provide scientific
and managerial assistance to the Scientific Director as Assistant Scientific
Director.
Dr. Lillian Shum recently joined the NIDCR as Director of the Physiology,
Pharmacogenetics and Injury Program, Division of Basic and Translational
Sciences. She will manage a portfolio of research grants in the areas of
pharmacogenetics, tooth and bone physiology, craniofacial injury and wound
healing. Previously she was a senior staff fellow in the Cartilage Biology
and Orthopedics Branch, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal
and Skin Diseases. Dr. Shum earned her Ph.D. in cell and developmental biology
at the University of North Carolina and was a postdoctoral fellow first
at the University of Southern California with Dr. Harold Slavkin and then
at the University of California at San Francisco with Dr. Rik Derynck.
Dr. Sangeeta Bhargava recently joined the NIDCR Division of Basic and Translational
Sciences as Director of the Immunology and Immunotherapy Program. She will
provide management and oversight for research grants primarily in the areas
of mucosal immunity and cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Previously
Dr. Bhargava was a senior scientist at Wyeth where she was responsible for
research on mucosal immunology with an emphasis on discovery and preclinical
development of viral vaccines. Dr. Bhargava earned a Ph.D. in medical sciences
from the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences and subsequently was a
postdoctoral fellow with Dr. John Cebra at the University of Pennsylvania.
Gabrielle Cannick, a DMD/PhD student currently working on her dissertation
research in oral cancer at NIDCR under the mentorship of Dr. Alice Horowitz,
received the grand prize at the Hinman Student Research Symposium sponsored
by the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Society (THDS) and the University of Tennessee
Health Science Center College of Dentistry. The symposium is held annually
to recognize dental student efforts in clinical and basic science research.
Ninety-four dental students from the U.S. and Canada competed in oral and
poster presentations in Memphis, TN. The title of Gabrielle's oral presentation
was "Oral Cancer Knowledge Among South Carolina Dental Students."
She received a plaque from THDS for the "Most Outstanding Presentation
in Clinical Research" and the President's Award for Excellence in Dental
Research from the National Student Research Group of the American Association
for Dental Research.
Two fellows mentored by Dr. Sharon Wahl, chief, Oral Infection and Immunity
Branch, won awards at recent professional and scientific meetings. Jennifer
Swisher, Ph.D., won the Society for Leukocyte Biology Presidential ward
at the 2003 Society for Leukocyte Biology Meeting for her work, "TGF-beta
in the Mitochrondria; Potential Mechanisms for Its Import and Function."
Gary Warburton, BDS, MD, won the Best Overall Scientific Poster at the 85th
Annual Meeting of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
for his poster entitled, "Secretory Leukocyte Protease Inhibitor (SLPI)
is a Proteasome Inhibitor in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Influences
Apoptosis."
National Institute of
Dental and Craniofacial Research
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892-2190
e-mail: nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov
phone: 301/496-4261