Spotlight
Letter from Dr. Stephen I. Katz: NIH Efforts to Advance Translational Sciences
Dear Colleagues:
Reducing the burden that arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases place on patients, their families, and society depends on our ability to translate scientific discoveries into new and improved treatments, diagnostic approaches, and prevention strategies. While we have many examples of how NIAMS-funded research has improved the lives of patients and their families, NIAMS—along with the broader NIH community—is committed to enhancing the efficiency of this translation from discovery to better health.
Image: Stephen I. Katz, M.D., Ph.D.
News
NIAMS Position Recruitment: Rheumatology Fellowship Program Director
The NIAMS Intramural Research Program is seeking a board-certified/eligible rheumatologist with experience and outstanding skills in medical education and clinical research for a position as a Staff Clinician/Fellowship Program Director. This position would offer a combination of support for a clinical or translational research program in collaboration with National Institutes of Health (NIH) rheumatology faculty members, as well as a leadership position directing the adult rheumatology fellowship training program that is certified by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Salary will be commensurate with experience and fully supported by the NIH Intramural Research Program.
Experimental Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Gets Boost From Existing Medication
A readily available medication may be able to safely enhance the effects of a promising experimental treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to research partially funded by the NIAMS. DMD is a fatal genetic disease in which muscles, including the heart, deteriorate in early life. The study, which was supported in part by funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, was recently published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.
Image credit: AAAS
NIH Study Contributes to Approval of Promising Treatment for Genetic Inflammatory Disorder
Prompted in part by a successful clinical trial conducted at the NIH, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved the use of anakinra (Kineret) for treating the signs and symptoms of a rare but debilitating disease called neonatal-onset multisystem inflammatory disease (NOMID). The disease strikes within the first weeks of life and can lead to hearing and vision loss, and other organ damage. Anakinra, originally FDA-approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, is the first FDA-approved treatment for NOMID. The approval comes in response to an application from the Swedish Orphan Biovitrum (Sobi), an international company focused on developing treatments for rare diseases, particularly inflammatory and genetic disorders.
Reflex Control Could Improve Walking After Incomplete Spinal Injuries
A training regimen to adjust the body’s motor reflexes may help improve mobility for some people with incomplete spinal cord injuries, according to a study supported by the NIH.
NIH Director’s Blog
Making This a Land for You and Me
February 28 was International Rare Disease Day. In honor of the occasion, Dr. Collins pays tribute to a few real-life heroes whose struggles have forever changed the landscape of rare disease research.
Photo from liner notes of the Folkways CD
Clinical Studies in Your Own Backyard
The NIH conducts clinical research studies for many diseases and conditions, including cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, allergy and infectious diseasesand neurological disorders. What’s more, this work is being carried out in every state of the nation, as you can see from this interactive map showing clinical studies supported by the NIH and others.
Taking a Snapshot of the Human Immune System
There are numerous tests to gauge the health of your heart. But no such widely accepted test exists for the many parts of the immune system. How can we tell if the immune system is strong or weak? Or quantify how badly it’s malfunctioning when we suffer from asthma, allergies or arthritis?
Other Federal News
PCORI Convenes Ad Hoc Workgroups to Narrow Critical Research Questions for Targeted Funding Announcements
In March, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is hosting ad hoc workgroups in which researchers, patients and other stakeholders meet to provide input to the PCORI’s staff and Board of Governors on critical research questions. Recordings of these webinars, which are free and open to the public, are posted shortly after the event. Two webinars may be of interest to the NIAMS community:
- Workgroup Webinar: Preventing Injuries From Falls in the Elderly—March 12
- Workgroup Webinar: Treatment Options for Back Pain—March 21
Request for Information (RFI) on the FY 2013-2018 Strategic Plan for the NIH Office of Disease Prevention
The purpose of this RFI is to seek broad public input on the strategic priorities to be included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2013-2018 Strategic Plan for the NIH Office of Disease Prevention. It is also intended to solicit suggestions on how to enhance the prevention research portfolio at the NIH.
Response due date: April 30, 2013
Response format: Please use the form on this website.
For more information, contact Wilma Peterman Cross at [email protected].
NEW PUBLICATIONS
NIH Research Matters
NIH Research Matters is a review of NIH research from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, NIH.
NIH News in Health
Read practical health information in NIH News in Health, which is reviewed by the NIH’s medical experts and is based on research conducted either by the NIH’s own scientists or by its grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.
MEETINGS
NIH Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series
The NIH’s Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series offers weekly lectures every Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Masur Auditorium, Building 10, NIH Campus. Renowned scientists from around the globe present research on a variety of topics. The lectures are continuing medical education certified, open to the public and available live via webcast.
Upcoming lectures:
March 27, 2013
Fred Alt, Harvard University
“Antibodies, Genome Stability and Cancer”
April 10, 2013
NIH Director’s Lecture (third of three)
Tom Misteli, National Cancer Institute
“The Cell Biology of Genomes: From Fundamentals to Disease”
NIH Science Lectures and Events Available Online
The NIH hosts a number of science seminars and events that are available online through real-time streaming video. You can watch an event at your convenience as an on-demand video or a downloadable podcast. Most events are available to all; a few are broadcast for the NIH or the HHS, and are marked as such. See additional details on events.
NIAMS Exhibit Schedule
The NIAMS exhibit is traveling to several events. See the schedule of health fairs and exhibits.
Image: The NIAMS Exhibit
FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
NIAMS Announcements
Small Business Innovation Research on Rare Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic and Skin Diseases (SBIR) (R43)
(RFA-AR-14-005)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: July 1, 2013
Application Receipt Date: August 1, 2013
Notice of NIAMS Participation in PAR-13-114 “Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R01)”
(NOT-AR-13-013)
Notice of NIAMS Participation in PAR-13-115 “Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R21)”
(NOT-AR-13-014)
NIH Common Fund Initiative Announcements
NIH Director’s Biomedical Research Workforce Innovation Award: Broadening Experiences in Scientific Training (BEST) (DP7)
(RFA-RM-12-022)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 10, 2013
Application Receipt Date: May 10, 2013
Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Planning Grants for the NIH National Research Mentoring Network (NRMN) (P20)
(NOT-RM-13-009)
Request for Information (RFI): Research Needs to Facilitate Broad Community Use of the Roadmap Epigenomics Program Data Resource
(NOT-RM-13-011)
Other Funding Announcements
Limited Competition: Extramural Research Facilities Improvement Program (C06)
(RFA-OD-13-003)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: May 7, 2013
Short-term Mentored Career Enhancement Awards in the Basic Behavioral and Social Sciences: Cross-Training at the Intersection of Animal Models and Human Investigation (K18)
(RFA-DA-14-002)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: December 11, 2013
Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, and Management in Pain Research (R03)
(PA-13-117)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, and Management in Pain Research (R01)
(PA-13-118)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Mechanisms, Models, Measurement, and Management in Pain Research (R21)
(PA-13-119)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Postdoctoral Training Program in Obstetric and Pediatric Pharmacoepidemiology (T32)
(PAR-13-112)
Letter of Intent Receipt Dates: 30 days before application due dates
Application Receipt Dates: May 25, 2013; May 25, 2014; and May 25, 2015
Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R24)
(PAR-13-113)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R01)
(PAR-13-114)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Improvement of Animal Models for Stem Cell-Based Regenerative Medicine (R21)
(PAR-13-115)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
NINDS Institutional Center Core Grants to Support Neuroscience Research (P30)
(PAR-13-116)
Letter of Intent Receipt Date: April 16, 2013
Application Receipt Date: May 16, 2013
Notice of Intent to Publish the Reissuance of Funding Opportunity Announcement “NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00)”
(NOT-OD-13-034)
NIH Requires Use of RPPR for All SNAP and Fellowship Progress Reports, and Expands RPPR Functionality
(NOT-OD-13-035)
Notice of Extension of the Expiration Date for PAR-11-001 “Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers (P40)”
(NOT-OD-13-036)
New Review Criteria for NIH Construction (C06 and UC6) and Modernization (G20) Grant Applications
(NOT-OD-13-038)
National Science Foundation–National Institutes of Health (NSF–NIH) Interagency Initiative: Smart and Connected Health
(NOT-OD-13-041)
Changes to Public Access Policy Compliance Efforts Apply to All Awards with Anticipated Start Dates on or after July 1, 2013
(NOT-OD-13-042)
NIH Operation Plan in the Event of a Sequestration
(NOT-OD-13-043)
Notice of Change to Electronic Submission of Final Noncompliance Reports to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare
(NOT-OD-13-044)
Registration Now Open for the 2013 NIH Regional Seminar on Program Funding and Grants Administration in Baltimore, MD
(NOT-OD-13-046)
Implementation of the Updated AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals: 2013 Edition
(NOT-OD-13-048)