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Home > News and Events > NIBIB Newsletter
In This Issue
LinksNational Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (www.nibib.nih.gov) Contact UsAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) UpdateNIH Receives 20,000 Applications for Challenge Grants Through ARRAThe National Institutes of Health (NIH) has received approximately 20,000 applications for Challenge Grants, a new program under the Recovery Act. The number of applications is approximately equal to the total number of applications NIH receives in one of the agency's three major review rounds each year. All grant applicants will receive a summary statement containing critiques with criterion scores from three assigned reviewers. It is anticipated that more than 18,000 scientists will be involved in the Challenge Grant peer review process. Scores and summary statements will be available in August 2009, and Challenge Grant awards will be issued by September 30, 2009. Read more about this at ARRA Funding OpportunitiesRFA-AI-09-040 – Recovery Act Limited Competition: Protection of Human Health by Immunology and Vaccines (U01, U19) RFA-OD-09-008 – Recovery Act Limited Competition: Biomedical Research, Development, and Growth to Spur the Acceleration of New Technologies (BRDG-SPAN) Pilot Program (RC3) RFA-OD-09-009 – Recovery Act Limited Competition: Small Business Catalyst Awards for Accelerating Innovative Research (R43) Science HighlightsThe Little Microscope That Can Tucked inside the plastic cube is a powerful, high-resolution microscope capable of imaging blood cells and microscopic organisms. The electrodes in the attached picture impose an electric field along the microfluidic channel.
From the coastal areas of Bangladesh to the skyscrapers of New York City, bedside pathology is about to take a big step forward. Researchers at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena have developed a microscope the size of a bumblebee’s hair bristle that is powerful enough to image cells and other biological material."We can take point-of-care to the next level," says Changhuei Yang, assistant professor of bioengineering and electrical engineering and a co-inventor of the mini-microscope. "The microscope design is really simple because we wanted it to have widespread use. You don't even need a light source. You could use sunlight." Coupled with computer software, the optofluidic microscope (OFM) could become the heart of an in-home monitoring test to track immune cells in HIV-AIDS patients. When treating HIV-AIDS, doctors watch for changes in CD4 cells, the immune cells impaired by HIV. If the CD4 cell count drops below 200, patients are at risk for new infections. In-home monitoring would serve as an early alert for important changes in the patient's condition and would reduce the number of patient office visits. Progressive tracking of CD4 cell counts would allow doctors to adjust therapies sooner to keep patients in optimal condition. When integrated into a cell phone, the OFM also could have a big impact in remote locations around the globe where lack of electricity and unreliable equipment make diagnosing diseases problematic. "This is an enabling technology," says Charles DiMarzio, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at Northeastern University (NEU) and a pioneer in biomedical imaging techniques. "In places where you don’t have access to pathology labs, this device could be used to transmit information to pathologists around the world." Read the full story Imaging Technique Allows Researchers to Monitor Protein Changes in Mouse TumorsResearchers have shown that a new imaging technique can monitor, in living mice, the HER2 protein found in above-normal amounts in many cases of breast cancer as well as some ovarian, prostate, and lung cancers. This new approach, once validated in mice and pending further experiments, could provide a real-time noninvasive method for identifying tumors in humans who express HER2 and who would be candidates for targeted therapy directed against this protein. It may also provide real-time information that will help clinicians optimize treatment for individual patients. The study, published in the July 2009 issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine, was conducted by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Laboratory of Bioengineering and Physical Science. Read more about this study NIBIB NewsNITRC Wins 2009 Excellence in Government Award Front Row: David Cassidy, James Luo, Nina Preuss. Second Row: Christian Haselgrove, David Kennedy, Daniel Turner.
The Neuroimaging Tools and Resources Clearinghouse (NITRC), a resource supported by the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research, has won the 2009 Excellence in Government Award from the American Council for Technology (ACT). NITRC was selected by ACT as the Best Overall winner from their 61 nominations and top 21 finalists and was cited because "the program's impact in the way it uses technology makes information more transparent and saves money." NIBIB manages the NITRC contract on behalf of the NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience consortium. NITRC is an internet-based clearinghouse that helps researchers find and compare neuroimaging resources for fMRI and related structural analyses. NITRC collects and points to standardized information about tools, making the task of finding and comparing them easier than before. Information is gathered and evaluated with respect to usage, interoperability, features, quality of documentation and support, and user satisfaction. Interaction between the user and the associated technology developers is encouraged via user forums. The site also encourages public comment to guide the development of tools and resources and enhance their use by the neuroimaging research community. NITRC was released to the public within one year of contract award. Within a year and a half, the clearinghouse has become host to 172 tools and resources, with a community of 13,602 unique visitors who have downloaded NITRC tools and resources and 6,000 unique visitors per month, over 880 of whom are registered users (11% non-English). Since its inception, over 50,000 software files have been downloaded. Because it is a web-based tool, 85 neuroimaging software tool and resource developers previously unknown to the NITRC community have contacted the clearinghouse team to distribute their work via the site, constituting a 110% increase over those previously known. With an average development cost of $350,000 for a neuroimaging informatics tool, it is estimated that if 7% of the tools on NITRC today are utilized by other research laboratories, NITRC will have more than paid for itself from the savings. Read more about the award Visit the NITRC website at http://www.nitrc.org/ 2006 Biomedical Engineering Summer Internship Program (BESIP) Participant Publishes Research on Non-invasive Brain Computer Interface Technology
Turan Kayagil
Turan Kayagil, now a rising third-year medical student at Georgetown University School of Medicine, recently published BESIP research findings in the May edition of the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation. His article, "A binary method for simple and accurate two-dimensional cursor control from EEG with minimal subject training," is further evidence of how unique opportunities offered through the BESIP not only present real-world research challenges for even the brightest students, but they also provide a mentorship framework in which aspiring bioengineers with extra initiative can make meaningful contributions to the world of science. Read Turan Kayagil's full story at NIBIB e-Newsletter Wins NIH Plain Language Award Left to right: John Burklow, Associate Director for Communications and Public Liaison, NIH; Jonathan Capehard, The Washington Post; Jude Gustafson (Z-Tech, an ICF Company), OSPPL; Mary Beth Kester, OSPPL; Cheryl Fee, OSPPL; Raynard Kington, M.D., Ph.D., NIH Acting Director.
The NIBIB e-Newsletter recently won an NIH Plain Language Award and received recognition at the NIH Plain Language Awards Ceremony held on June 2, 2009. The ceremony honors outstanding NIH communication products including revised websites, fact sheets, multi-media presentations, and other materials, including items designed for Spanish-speaking audiences. The NIBIB e-Newsletter is produced by staff in the NIBIB's Office of Science Policy and Public Liaison (OSPPL). NIH Take Your Child to Work Day A black and white infrared photo of a group of children participating in NIH's "Take Your Child to Work Day." In infrared photos, warm areas appear light and cool areas appear dark—and everyone always looks funny.
On April 23, 2009, NIH hosted the annual "Take Your Child to Work Day." This event is designed to introduce children ages 8–15 to the world of biomedical research and to the wide array of skills and services needed to support it. Once again, NIBIB actively participated in this event by hosting two sessions. The morning session, entitled "What is Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering?" was led by Dr. Albert Lee. The session introduced participants to concepts in both fields and tested their knowledge of science achievements and possibilities, such as growing replacement body parts. Following the game show, the children participated in an experiment to measure lung capacity and became virtual surgeons by performing knee replacement surgery using a computer game. An afternoon session entitled "Fun with Biomedical Imaging" was held at the Laboratory of Bioengineering and Physical Science. Participants were fascinated by the demonstrations and explanations of infrared imaging, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy provided by Dr. Richard Leapman and his staff. NIBIB Director Hosts Academy of Radiology Research Academic Council
The NIBIB recently hosted the new Academic Council formed by the Academy of Radiology Research (ARR) for a visit and tour of the NIBIB and the diagnostic imaging department at the NIH Clinical Center. The Academic Council was in Washington to promote the need for imaging research, and the members conducted a Capitol Hill briefing on imaging research following their visit to the NIH. The Academic Council was created in mid-2008 to strengthen the role of ARR in advocating for the NIH and to educate lawmakers on the need for imaging research. Chaired by Carolyn Meltzer, M.D., chair of radiology at Emory University, and James H. Thrall, radiologist-in-chief at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Council comprises 23 academic radiology departments. Congressional Health Care Staff Visit NIBIB
On June 10, 2009, NIBIB hosted Congressional health care staff and representatives from various patient advocacy groups for an overview and tour of the Institute’s research programs and intramural laboratory. NIBIB Director Roderic I. Pettigrew, Ph.D., M.D., began the tour with a presentation on the Institute’s current research initiatives, highlighting several imaging and bioengineering technologies under development by NIBIB-funded researchers. Following Dr. Pettigrew’s overview, the group moved to the Clinical Center for a presentation on image-guided interventions by Bradford Wood, M.D., director of the NIH Center for Interventional Oncology and chief of the Intervention Radiology Section. The next stop on the tour was NIBIB’s Laboratory of Bioengineering and Physical Science (LBPS). The group was greeted by Deputy Lab Chief Henry Eden, M.D., Ph.D., and Staff Scientists Nicole Morgan, Ph.D., and Albert Jin, Ph.D., of the Instrumentation and Multiscale Imaging Laboratory. Dr. Morgan displayed a microfluidic device and explained how these devices can potentially perform biochemical analyses faster and on smaller samples than current technology. This group is currently developing a flow-through device for quantitative, multi-analyte immunoaffinity detection of proteins in microliter-size samples. This technology will foster the development of similar microfluidic devices for a variety of scientific and clinical applications. Dr. Jin provided an overview on the group’s research in the biomedical atomic force microscopy (Bio-AFM) area. Bio-AFM is a form of cutting-edge nanotechnology featuring atomic-size imaging resolution and a molecular force measurement capability in biological fluids. He explained that the group, in collaboration with other NIH scientists, has deployed and developed several multi-modal AFM instrument platforms specifically optimized for biomedical sample studies in combination with computational models. Their current investigations include in-depth characterization of several developing malaria vaccine candidates. NIBIB, in collaboration with the Coalition for Imaging and Bioengineering Research (CIBR), hosts several tours during the year aimed at introducing Congressional staff and patient advocacy group members to the NIH and its research programs. Funding Opportunities & UpdatesAdvanced Neural Prosthetics Research and Development (U01)Small Business Innovation Research to Develop New Therapeutics and Monitoring Technologies for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Towards an Artificial Pancreas (SBIR) [R43/R44]Development and Translation of Medical Technologies that Reduce Health Disparities (SBIR [R43/R44])Innovation in Molecular Imaging Probes (R01)NIH Roadmap for Medical ResearchThe NIH Roadmap is a series of far-reaching initiatives designed to build on the progress in medical research achieved through the doubling of the NIH budget. NIBIB plays a significant role in Roadmap activities in many areas. More information on current NIH Roadmap funding opportunities is available at nihroadmap.nih.gov/grants/index.asp.
NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience ResearchThe NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research is a cooperative effort among the 16 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices that support neuroscience research. By pooling resources and expertise, the Blueprint supports the development of new tools, training opportunities, and other resources to assist neuroscientists in both basic and clinical research. More information on current NIH Blueprint funding opportunities is available at neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov/blueprint_funding/index.htm.
Spotlight on PeopleFeatured Scientist - Terry Phillips, Ph.D., D.Sc.Adventures in Immunology 
Terry Phillips
What did one cell say to the other? Typically a set-up line for a joke, this simple question reflects the essence of Dr. Terry Phillips' ultimate research quest: to understand how cells communicate and what their messages mean in terms of overall health. Click here to read about Dr. Phillips Names in the NewsNew Faces at NIBIB
Manana Sukhareva
Dr. Manana Sukhareva has joined the Office of Scientific Review as a Scientific Review Officer. Dr. Sukhareva was previously with the Center for Scientific Review's Biology of Development and Aging IRG, where she ran study sections involving the Fogarty International Center’s program in International and Cooperative Projects. Her scientific background is in physics, chemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology. Her research focused on experience studies of ion channels in neurons, skeletal muscle, and heart muscle. GranteesNIBIB Quantum Grantee Mehmet Toner and Team Receive Grant from the National Stand Up To Cancer Telethon
A research team headed by Drs. Mehmet Toner, Ph.D., and Daniel Haber, M.D., Ph.D., of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, has been awarded a $15 million research grant from the proceeds raised by the Entertainment Industry Foundation during their landmark Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) telethon. The Foundation, established by media and entertainment industry leaders to raise cancer awareness and accelerate developments in cancer research, raised over $100 million during their first telethon, which was aired simultaneously by ABC, CBS, and NBC in September 2008. The SU2C grant will help accelerate research and development of the Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) microchip, which was initiated with National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) Quantum Grant (QG) funds in 2007. The size of a mere microscope slide, with great sensitivity that allows the detection of one at-large cancer cell out of a billion blood cells, the CTC chip sorts out and traps migrating tumor cells gently enough to also maintain their viability, which is key to further analysis that gives clues that can contribute to decisions on cancer treatment. Toner explains how QG strategies set the research bar higher but also promote the proper environment for success. "The Quantum Grants take a major medical problem where engineering could have great impact, and they put together a multidisciplinary team to tackle the problem. It requires people who are working closely together, and it requires us to take on a bigger challenge than we would ordinarily." The "one-two punch" of CTC microchip research success has thus far been realized through the tandem impact of QG funds and the NIBIB-funded BioMEMS (Biomicroelectromechanical Systems) Resource Center, which, in Toner’s words, "...has been a unique environment nurturing the translation of this device from a 'cool technology' phase to 'real technology' phase with great potential for impact at the patient's bedside." Toner explains, "Getting technology to people's bedside is not an easy thing to do. The [BioMEMS] experience has been educational for me and very beneficial. It has impacted my own research group to become more translational, and we do it better than we could in the past. You have to step forward into full-scale collaboration to make strides forward translationally." Toner also appreciates the wisdom behind NIBIB's requirements for end-user collaboration with the Resource Center. "In order to get continued funding, we have to be able to disseminate the technology. This is extremely critical to development, because by working together with end users, we can really sharpen the functionalities and specifications of the technology." Highlighting the mounting challenges of today’s multidisciplinary research, he continues, "The research problems we are working on are more and more complex. You need to integrate with collaborators on a day-to-day basis, so that they can help you think about problems and issues in areas where you're not an expert, and create an environment where you actually think together—morph together—sharing information, access, and also sharing credit." The NIBIB fosters interdisciplinary research and the translation of research to clinical application. The CTC microchip research project is consistent with the NIBIB mission in technology development and the philosophy of accelerating technology application. Read more about the CTC microchip and SU2C grant at: Conferences & Meetings31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2009 World Molecular Imaging Congress 2009 Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES) Annual Fall Scientific Meeting IEEE Nuclear Science Symposium and Medical Imaging Conference Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) 2009 RSNA The NIH CornerPresident Obama Nominates Francis S. Collins as NIH Director
Francis S. Collins
On July 8, 2009, President Barack Obama announced his intent to nominate Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., as Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Dr. Collins is the former director of the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at NIH. He led the successful effort to complete the Human Genome Project (HGP), a complex multidisciplinary scientific enterprise directed at mapping and sequencing all of the human DNA and determining aspects of its function. Dr. Collins received a B.S. from the University of Virginia, a Ph.D.in Physical Chemistry from Yale University, and an M.D. from the University of North Carolina. Following a fellowship in Human Genetics at Yale, he joined the faculty at the University of Michigan, where he remained until moving to NIH in 1993. His research has led to the identification of genetic variants associated with type 2 diabetes and the genes responsible for cystic fibrosis, neurofibromatosis, Huntington's disease, and Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Read the full press release at: Gregory G. Germino, M.D., Appointed as NIDDK Deputy Director
Gregory G. Germino
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Director Griffin Rodgers, M.D., M.A.C.P., recently announced the appointment of Gregory G. Germino, M.D., as the NIDDK Deputy Director. Dr. Germino will serve as an active partner with the NIDDK Director in providing scientific and managerial leadership to the Institute. Dr. Germino was previously a research investigator at The Johns Hopkins University, where he was a professor of medicine in the Division of Nephrology and professor in the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics. He trained in internal medicine and nephrology at Yale University, spent a research year at Oxford, and then returned to Yale to a junior faculty position. In 1992, he moved to The Johns Hopkins University, where he moved up through the ranks to full professor. He has extensive leadership and mentoring experience from his time at Johns Hopkins and has been very active in national organizations. In addition to his duties as the NIDDK Deputy Director, Dr. Germino will continue his scientific research into the molecular basis of renal cystic disease and renal tubular morphogenesis. Read the full press release on Dr. Germino’s appointment at: |
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