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News Releases: October - December 2002

Contents

• October
• November
• December

October

October 15, 2002: NIBIB and NSF Announce Joint Awards To Support Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have announced the awarding of nine grants through a joint program to support Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes (BBSI). The institutes consist of ten-week summer sessions for undergraduate (rising junior and rising senior) and graduate (entering the first two years of graduate school) students with quantitative science majors and are aimed at encouraging the students to pursue biomedical careers. The NIBIB and the NSF are providing a total of $6 million over four years to fund the institutes.

The funded BBSI's are at California State University, Clemson University, Iowa State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Penn State University, University of Minnesota, University of Pittsburgh, and Virginia Commonwealth University. The first institutes will be conducted during the summer of 2003, and a meeting of the grantees is planned for late 2002 or early 2003 to discuss programs and approaches.

This program resulted from the recognition that research using integrative and multi-disciplinary approaches based on the quantitative and biomedical sciences has produced significant benefits and promises important future advances in disease diagnosis and therapy, understanding biological processes, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. To support multi-disciplinary research, the NIH and NSF make significant investments in research, research training, and career development in the fields of bioengineering and bioinformatics. To fully realize the promise of these efforts, the availability of future generations of highly-trained professionals in these fields must be assured.

The development of trained professionals in these areas requires opportunities and support all along the career continuum including the high school, undergraduate, pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, junior career, and senior career levels. Considering the nature of bioengineering and bioinformatics, effective training and education programs require trans- and cross-disciplinary interaction between the engineering, physical, and computational sciences and the biological and medical sciences. For more than a year, the NIH led by the NIBIB and the NSF led by the Division of Engineering Education and Centers in the Engineering Directorate have conducted collaborative efforts (1) to identify needs in multi-disciplinary research training, education, and career development at all levels and (2) to develop joint actions where appropriate to address these needs.

As a result of these collaborative efforts, a need was identified to encourage students majoring in the quantitative sciences to consider careers in bioengineering and bioinformatics. In the context of this effort, bioengineering and bioinformatics are defined in the broadest sense - the application of quantitative and computer science methods and techniques to address problems in biology and medicine. Community input indicated that this need could be effectively addressed at the undergraduate/graduate interface. In response, the NIH and NSF developed a joint program to support Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes aimed at providing hands-on biomedical research experience; exposure to biological and medical research needs and applications; experience with integrative, team-based research and problem solving; and some didactic training.

This collaborative effort was coordinated by Sohi Rastegar (NSF Program Manager), Richard Swaja (NIH/NIBIB Program Manager), Bettie Graham (NIH/NHGRI), Wyn Jennings (NSF), Lynn Preston (NSF), Walter Schaffer (NIH/OER), and Mariaileen Sourwine (NIH/NIBIB).

October 30, 2002: NIBIB Issues Sensors Research RFA

A RFA titled "Operation of Sensors In Vivo" (EB-03-001) was released through the NIH Guide on October 21, 2002. The NIBIB and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders are seeking investigator-initiated applications for research grants awards (R01) or exploratory/developmental research grant awards (R21) for the development of innovative technologies aimed at increasing the utility of sensors in vivo. The RFA focuses on novel modalities that operate in vivo or that alter the healing dynamics of the sensor insertion point. A team-based approach is strongly encouraged, and special emphasis will be placed on validation of sensor output to give clinically-relevant endpoints. Applications are due on January 21, 2003, and letters of intent are requested by January 6, 2003. The solicitation can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-001.html.

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November

November 4, 2002: NIBIB Conducts Workshop on Bioengineering and Bioimaging Training

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) supports research and training that advances the multi-disciplinary fields of bioengineering (BME) and Biomedical imaging (BMI). To ensure that NIBIB initiatives address important needs and issues, input is solicited from relevant extramural and intramural scientific communities during program development and implementation. To provide community input on BME and BMI training issues, the NIBIB conducted a workshop on August 26-27, 2002, at the Bethesda Marriott Hotel in Bethesda Maryland. Thirty extramural participants from academic and foundations with direct interests in BME and BMI research training and eleven training staff members from government agencies (NIH and NSF) were invited to participate and provide their perspectives on training needs and issues. The general objective of this workshop was to develop specific recommendations for the NIBIB to consider in the development of its research training programs. A report (Adobe PDF [124K]) summarizing the workshop discussions and recommendations has been prepared. The report includes an executive summary, the agenda, and a list of participants. The recommendations and results of this workshop will be evaluated by the NIBIB and considered during the development and implementation of Institute training programs.

November 21, 2002: NIBIB Issues New Research Solicitations

The NIBIB has issued several new research solicitations in areas concerning small animal imaging, cellular- and molecular-level imaging, telehealth, and imaging technology research. These solicitations include Requests for Applications (RFAs) and Program Announcements (PAs) and use the NIH R01(basic NIH research grants), R21 (novel or exploratory research), and/or SBIR/STTR mechanisms. The detailed solicitations can be accessed in the "NIH Guide" or the Funding Oppurtunities Database Search page of the NIBIB Web site. Summaries of the new announcements include:

Systems and Methods for Small Animal Imaging (RFA EB-03-002) - released on November 18, 2002. Applications are due at the NIH on February 13, 2003. Notices of intent are requested by January 16, 2003. This solicitation uses the NIH R01 and R21 mechanisms to support multi-disciplinary research related to the development of small animal imaging devices or methods that can be broadly applied to research on diverse biological or disease processes. The announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-002.html.

Systems and Methods for Small Animal Imaging - SBIR/STTR (PA-03-031) - released on November 18, 2002. This announcement is the SBIR/STTR companion to RFA EB-03-002 described above. Applications are due at the NIH on April 1, August 1, and December 1. This announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-03-031.html.

Research and Development of Systems and Methods for Cellular and Molecular Imaging (RFA EB-03-003) - released on November 20, 2002. Applications are due on February 13, 2003. Notices of intent are requested by January 16, 2003. This solicitation uses the NIH R01 and R21 mechanisms to support multi-disciplinary research in the area of cellular and molecular imaging and/or spectroscopy that can be applied to multiple biological processes or diseases. This announcement is a follow-up to EB-02-001 that was issued in February 2002. The announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-003.html.

Improvements in Imaging Methods and Technologies (RFA EB-03-007) - released on November 20, 2002. Applications are due at the NIH on March 24, 2003. This RFA uses the NIH R01 and R21 award mechanisms to support multi-disciplinary investigations aimed at improving and extending technologies for biomedical imaging. The primary focus is on technological and methodological advances in human imaging. The announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-007.html.

Telehealth Technologies Development (RFA-03-005) - released on November 18, 2002. Applications are due at the NIH on March 13, 2003. Notices of intent are due on February 13, 2003. This program uses the NIH R01 and R21 mechanisms to support research aimed at the design and development of technologies and instruments that can be applied to a broad range of disorders or diseases. For this program, telehealth is considered to be the use of communications technologies to provide an support health care at a distance. The announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-005.html.

Telehealth Technologies Development - SBIR/STTR (PA-03-030) - released on November 18, 2002. Applications are due at the NIH on April 1, August 1, and December 1. This solicitation supports SBIR and STTR initiatives aimed at the design or development of novel telehealth instrumentation or technologies that can be applied to a broad spectrum of diseases or disorders. It is the SBIR companion to RFA EB-03-005 described above. The announcement can be accessed at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-03-030.html.

November 29, 2002: NIBIB Hosts Workshop on Biosensing Research and Development

The NIBIB is one of several federal sponsors for a study involving the "Assessment of US, Japanes, and European Research and Development in Biosensing". The study will be coordinated by the World Technology Evlauation Center (WTEC) of the International Technology Research Institute. A workshop to kickoff this study is scheduled for December 3 and 4 at the Natcher Conference Center on the NIH Main Campus in Bethesda, Maryland. The purpose of the workshop is to review the state-of-the-art in biosensing R&D in the United States. Panelists, sponsors, and 15-20 invited experts representative of U.S. research activities in topics associated with biomedical sensing will present the latest results of their research and summarize other relevant work underway in the United States.

The goal of the international study is to gather information on the worldwide status and trends in biosensing R&D and to disseminate it to government decisionmakers and the research community. The study panelists will gather information on biosensing R&D abroad that is useful to the U.S. government in its own R&D programs, and to critically analyze and compare research in the United States with that being pursued in Japan, Europe, or other major industrialized countries. This information will serve the following purposes:

• Identify good ideas overseas worth exploring in U.S. R&D programs
• Clarify research opportunities and needs for promoting progress in the field generally
• Identify opportunities for international collaboration
• Evaluate the relative position of foreign research programs relative to those in the U.S.

In the context of this study, biosensing includes systems that incorporate a variety of means, including electrical, electronic, and photonic devices; biological materials (e.g., tissue, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc.); and chemical analysis to produce detectable signals for the monitoring or identification of biological phenomena. This is distinct from "biosensors" that employ only biological materials or mechanisms for sensing. In a broader sense, the study of biosensing includes any approach to detection of biological elements and the associated software or computer identification technologies (e.g., imaging) that identify biological characteristics. Biosensing is finding a growing number of applications in a wide variety of areas including biomedicine; food production and processing; and detection of bacteria, viruses, and biological toxins for biodefense. Subtopics likely to be covered in the WTEC study include the following:

• Nucleic acid sensors and DNA chips and arrays
• Organism- and cell-based biosensors
• Bioelectronics and biometrics
• Biointerfaces and biomaterials; biocompatibility and biofouling
• Integrated, multi-modality sensors and sensor networks
• System issues, including signal transduction, data interpretation, and validation
• Novel sensing algorithms, e.g., non-enzyme-based sensors for glucose, mechanical sensors for prosthetics
• Related issues in bio-MEMS and NEMS (microelectromechanical and nanoelectromechanical systems), possibly including actuators
• Applications in biomedicine, the environment, food industry, security and defense

In addition to the above technical issues, the study may also address the following non-technical issues:

• Mechanisms for enhancing international and interdisciplinary cooperation in the field
• Opportunities for shortening the lead time for deployment of new biosensing technologies emerging from the laboratory
• Long range research, educational, and infrastructure issues that need addressed to promote better progress in the field
• Current government R&D funding levels overseas compared to the United States, to the extent data are available

The above list of topics will be refined by panel members in consultation with the sponsors at the study kickoff meeting.

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December

December 9, 2002: NIBIB and NSF Conduct First Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes Grantee Meeting

The first meeting of agency program staff and representatives of the nine grantee institutions for the Joint NIBIB/NSF Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Summer Institutes (BBSI) Program was held on December 9 at NSF Headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss approaches and program implementation processes for the ten-week bioengineering and bioinformatics summer institutes which will begin in the summer of 2003. The BBSI are aimed at current junior and senior undergraduate students and/or students in the first two years of graduate school who are majoring in engineering, physical, or computational sciences. The programs provide didactic training and a research experience in the biological and medical sciences. Drs. Mary Poats (NSF BBSI Program Manager) and Sohi Rastegar (led NSF activities to develop the BBSI Program) of Johns Hopkins University were the NSF meeting coordinators. Dr. Richard Swaja and Mariaileen Sourwine of the NIBIB and Dr. Bettie Graham of the National Human Genome Research Institute represented the NIH at the meeting. Grantee institutions were represented by Drs. Ivet Bahar (University of Pittsburgh), Volker Brendel (Iowa State), Gregory Buck (Virginia Commonwealth), Peter Butler (Penn State), Martha Gray (MIT), William Hunter (New Jersey Institute of Technology), John Karnassis (University of Minnesota), Martine LaBerge (Clemson), and Jamil Momand (California State - Los Angeles). In addition to discussion of grantee programs, Dr. Martha Absher of Duke University described her outreach programs and experiences with program implementation. Information about the summer 2003 institutes is or soon will be available on grantee institution Web sites. A summary of urls and application deadlines will be posted on NSF and NIH Web sites as soon as this information is available.

December 12, 2002: NIBIB Issues RFAs for Image-Guided Intervention and Biomaterials Research

The National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) has issued two new requests for applications (RFA) for research in the areas of image-guided intervention and advanced biomaterials. Both solicitations are available in the "NIH Guide" and on the Funding Oppurtunities Database Search  page of the NIBIB Web site.

Image-Guided Interventions (RFA EB-03-008) was released in the "NIH Guide" on December 9, 2002, and is aimed at supporting research and development for image-guided interventions including biopsies, surgery, and image-guided therapies. The initiative is intended to drive the development of new technology in areas related to image-guided interventions because of the need for minimally-invasive, image-guided treatment of disease and injury. The RFA uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism to support basic inter-disciplinary research and the R21 mechanism to support novel investigations. The date for applications to be received at the NIH is March 25, 2003.This solicitation can be accessed on the Internet at http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-008.html.

Development of Advanced Biomaterials (RFA EB-03-009) was also released on December 9, 2002, and is aimed supporting research and development of novel biomaterials that can be used for a broad spectrum of biological and medical applications such as implantable medical devices, tissue engineering, drug and gene delivery, imaging agents, materials for minimally-invasive surgery, and biosensors. The RFA uses the NIH R01 grant mechanism to support basic research and the R21 mechanism to support novel investigations. The date for applications to be received at the NIH is March 27, 2003. This solicitation can be accessed at  http://grants1.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-EB-03-009.html.

December 18, 2002: NIBIB Conducts Workshop on Future Research Directions

The National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB) conducted a Workshop on Future Research Directions on December 17 at the Bethesda Hyatt Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland. About 40 researchers and program staff from academia, national laboratories, federal agencies, scientific societies, and other NIH institutes and centers participated in the interactive workshop which was aimed at providing community input on multi-disciplinary biomedical research needs. Approximately 20 NIBIB staff also attended as observers. The broad mission of the Institute and overall objectives of the research programs were described by Dr. Roderic Pettigrew, Director of the NIBIB, to provide bases for workshop discussions. Dr. Pettigrew also articulated the Institute's objective of being optimally effective during the initial period of establishment.

The general issue addressed at the workshop was how the NIBIB can make significant contributions to biomedical research and national healthcare needs over the next five year (approximately) period. Associated specific items discussed at the workshop included (1) identifying high priority research focus areas to address critical biomedical research and healthcare needs and (2) identifying associated high-impact projects or significant emerging technologies that could be considered. The workshop consisted of plenary and breakout sessions that focused on these two specific issues. Results of this workshop will provide information for NIBIB staff to consider in the evaluation and development of the Institute's research programs.

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