SPOTLIGHT
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New Funding Opportunities for Health Care Delivery Organizations
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Common Fund has issued two Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) for the Health Care Systems (HCS) Research Collaboratory Program. The overall goal of this program is to strengthen the national capacity to implement cost-effective, large-scale research studies that engage health care delivery organizations as research partners. These FOAs solicit applications for a Coordinating Center(RFA-RM-11-021) and Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects (RFA-RM-12-002).
Coordinating Center
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: March 27, 2012
Application Receipt Date: April 27, 2012
A videocast will review the purpose and objectives of the Coordinating Center FOA and address questions from the community.
Date: Friday, February 17, 2012
Time: 2 to 4 p.m. EST
Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: April 2, 2012
Application Receipt Date: May 2, 2012
A videocast will review the purpose and objectives of the Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects FOA and address questions from the community.
Date: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. EST
NEWS
NIAMS 25th Anniversary Video Now Available Online
The NIAMS celebrated its 25th anniversary on June 13, 2011, with a scientific symposium, “Improving Lives Through Discovery,” at the NIH Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. Video of the symposium is now available online and contains the presentations and panel discussions of the day’s featured speakers, as well as patients, scientists and clinicians from across the NIAMS community who came together for the special day.
New Website: NIH Clinical Research Trials and You: Agency-wide Resource Provides Important Information for the Public and Health Care Providers
The NIH has created a new website, NIH Clinical Research Trials and You, to help people learn more about clinical trials, why they matter and how to participate. From the first cure of a solid tumor with chemotherapy to the use of nitroglycerin in response to heart attacks, clinical research trials—or research studies involving people—have played a vital role in improving health and quality of life for people around the globe.
Mechanism, Potential Therapy for Scleroderma Lung Disease Uncovered
Investigators, partially supported by the NIAMS, have found that a deficiency in the protein caveolin-1 is linked to the development of interstitial lung disease, the scarring of lung tissue that causes disability and death in people with scleroderma. The scientists, from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, also showed that a special peptide called caveolin scaffolding domain inhibits progression of the disease in mice.
Scientists Gain New Insights Into Genetic Mechanisms of Ankylosing Spondylitis
New research supported, in part, by the NIAMS has brought scientists a step closer to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic inflammatory form of arthritis that predominantly affects the spine and pelvis.
NIH Scientists Identify Novel Approach To View Inner Workings of Viruses
Since the discovery of the microscope, scientists have tried to visualize smaller and smaller structures to provide insights into the inner workings of human cells, bacteria and viruses. Now, researchers at the NIAMS have developed a new way to see structures within viruses that were not clearly seen before.
NIAMS Community Health Center Marks 10th Anniversary
The NIAMS recently marked the 10th anniversary of its Community Health Center (CHC) at a celebration in its new location, the Spanish Catholic Center, Cardinal McCarrick Center of Catholic Charities, in Silver Spring, Maryland.
NIH Scientists Find Cause of Rare Immune Disease: Genetic Mutation Leads to Cold Allergy, Immune Deficiency and Autoimmunity
Investigators at the NIH have identified a genetic mutation in three unrelated families that causes a rare immune disorder characterized by excessive and impaired immune function. Symptoms of this condition include immune deficiency, autoimmunity, inflammatory skin disorders and cold-induced hives, a condition known as cold urticaria.
Vitamin D May Improve Bone Health in Those Taking Anti-HIV Drug: NIH Study Suggests Benefits for Young People on Long-Term Tenofovir Treatment
Vitamin D may help prevent hormonal changes that can lead to bone loss among those being treated for HIV with the drug tenofovir, according to the results of an NIH network study of adolescents with HIV.
NIH Study Shows 32 Million Americans Have Autoantibodies That Target Their Own Tissues
More than 32 million people in the United States have autoantibodies, which are proteins made by the immune system that target the body’s tissues and define a condition known as autoimmunity, a study shows. The first nationally representative sample looking at the prevalence of the most common type of autoantibody, known as antinuclear antibodies (ANA), found that the frequency of ANA is highest among women, older individuals and African Americans.
NEW PUBLICATIONS
January Shorttakes
NIAMS Shorttakes is a compilation of news from the Institute that is published three times a year in conjunction with NIAMS Advisory Council meetings.
Questions and Answers About Paget’s Disease of Bone
This booklet contains general information about Paget’s disease of bone. It describes what Paget’s disease of bone is, its causes and treatment options. Highlights of current research on Paget’s disease of bone are also included.
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.
How Often Should Women Have Bone Tests?
Experts recommend that older women have regular bone density tests to screen for osteoporosis. But it's been unclear how often to repeat the tests. A study of nearly 5,000 women now reports that patients with healthy bone density on their first test might safely wait 15 years before getting rescreened.
Body Produces “Industrial” Lubricant for Metal Hip Implants
A lubricating layer made of graphitic carbon naturally forms in the joints of metal-on-metal hip implants, a new study shows. This solid layer, produced within the body, is more like an industrial lubricant than joint fluid. The finding may help researchers design longer-lasting metal-on-metal hips for treating arthritis and other joint disorders.
NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities and health information resources from the NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.
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 lectures, open to the public and available live via webcast.
Upcoming lectures:
March 7, 2012
Dr. Marjana Tomic-Canic
“Wizardry of Tissue Repair and Regeneration: A Tale of Skin Cells When Their Magic Is All But Gone”
March 14, 2012
Dr. C. Garrison Fathman
“Understanding Peripheral Tolerance and Autoimmune Disease”
March 21, 2012
Dr. Salvatore DiMauro
“Mitochondrial DNA: Prometheus's Gift or Pandora’s Box?”
FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS
NIAMS Announcements
Multidisciplinary Clinical Research Centers (P60)
(RFA-AR-13-001)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: April 18, 2012
Application Receipt Date: May 18, 2012
NIH Common Fund Initiative Announcements
NIH Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory—Coordinating Center (U54)
(RFA-RM-11-021)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: March 27, 2012
Application Receipt Date: April 27, 2012
NIH Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory—Pragmatic Clinical Trials Demonstration Projects (UH2/UH3)
(RFA-RM-12-002)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: April 2, 2012
Application Receipt Dates: May 2, 2012
Resource Access for the Bridging Interventional Development Gaps Program (X01)
(PAR-12-092)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Date: April 3, 2012
Correction and Clarification of RFA-RM-11-016: Regional Comprehensive Metabolomics Resource Cores (RCMRC) (U24)
(NOT-RM-12-009)
Administrative Supplement To Extend NIH Common Fund GTEx Project Statistical Analyses
(NOT-RM-12-010)
Notice of Correction to RFA-RM-11-017: Mentored Research Scientist Development Award in Metabolomics (K01)
(NOT-RM-12-011)
Technical Assistance Videocast for RFA-RM-11-021: NIH Health Care Systems Research Collaboratory—Coordinating Center (U54)
(NOT-RM-12-012)
Other Funding Announcements
PHS 2012-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC, FDA and ACF for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44])
(PA-12-088)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
PHS 2012-02 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42])
(PA-12-089)
Letters of Intent Receipt Date: Not applicable
Application Receipt Dates: Standard dates apply
Notice of NIH’s Creation of the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences and Anticipated Implementation Plan
(NOT-OD-12-027)
Request for Information (RFI): Input Into the Deliberations of the Advisory Committee to the NIH Director Working Group on Data and Informatics
(NOT-OD-12-032)
Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Stipends, Tuition/Fees and Other Budgetary Levels Effective for Fiscal Year (FY) 2012
(NOT-OD-12-033)
Notice of Legislative Mandates in Effect for FY 2012
(NOT-OD-12-034)
Notice of Salary Limitation on Grants, Cooperative Agreements and Contracts
(NOT-OD-12-035)
NIH Fiscal Policy for Grant Awards—FY 2012
(NOT-OD-12-036)
Extension of Comment Period on the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Position Statements
(NOT-OD-12-042)