Biomedical
News
January 2003, Vol. 21 • No. 1
Table
of Content
The
Michigan Program for Research Information Management and
Education (MPRIME) Enters New Phase
MPRIME, established to improve the protection of human subjects
in research at the University of Michigan, has moved into
a new phase. Under the leadership of the Office of the Vice
President for Research and the Michigan Administrative Information
Services (MAIS), the MPRIME team will be spelling out exactly
what will be required in an electronic administration system
to support the protection procedures.
The initial phase of MPRIME mapped in great detail how researchers
apply to use human subjects in research, the application
review processes, and the approval mechanisms. The study
also looked at how compliance with procedures was managed.
During this phase, the team conferred with the faculty,
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), the Division of Research
Development and Administration (DRDA), Dean’s offices, and
others. From this analysis, recommendations were made for
process improvements and for additional automation to support
these processes. MPRIME is now entering the system analysis
phase. Working with representatives from those involved
in human protection procedures; the team will determine
what functions the automated system must accomplish. A priority
will be placed on functions that have the greatest likelihood
of ensuring that the system protects human subjects as intended.
These system requirements will then be compared to the capabilities
of the existing University system at the Medical School
IRB. The requirements will also be compared with products
that are commercially available. Gaps between what is needed
and what the existing systems can accomplish will be identified.
By the end of March 2003, the MPRIME team expects to be
able to recommend a course of action, either enhance existing
University systems or issue an RFP for a more detailed evaluation
of available products. If no suitable products are identified,
the team will also consider building in-house capabilities.
Throughout the process, U-M will be working with Huron Consulting
Group, who supported the initial process mapping. The team
will soon be asking for participation of key individuals
in the validation of the functional requirements. If you
have any questions or need additional information, please
feel free to contact Marvin Parnes at 936-3933 or Esther
Friedmann at 647-5357.
Research
Responsibility Program Presents Information Sessions
The Research Responsibility Program (RRP), sponsored by
the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research, is a
series of information and discussion sessions on responsibility
in the conduct and administration of research. Sessions
are free and open to all faculty, students, and staff. The
RRP presents:
"Human
Participant Protections in the Biomedical Sciences"
5-7 p.m., Tuesday, January 7, 2003 in G2310 Sheldon Auditorium,
Towsley Center. This topic will be co-presented by Robert
F. Todd, Associate Vice President for Research, Professor
of Hematology/Oncology; and Edward B. Goldman, Health Systems
Attorney and Adjunct Lecturer, School of Public Health.
"Conflict of Interest"
5-7 p.m., on Monday, January 13, 2003 at G1320 Towsley Center
cafeteria. This session will be co-presented by Steven A.
Goldstein, Ruppenthal Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery and
Bioengineering, and Associate Dean for Research and Graduate
Studies; and Elaine L. Brock, Associate Director, Division
of Research Development and Administration, and Director,
of Technology Transfer and Corporate Research.
"Conflict of Interest"
will be presented again on Monday, January 27, 2003 at G1320
Towsley Center cafeteria. The full RRP schedule is online
at http://www.responsibility.research.umich.edu/.
For more information about the RRP contact the OVPR at 647-9085
or research.responsibility@umich.edu.
Congratulations
Dr. Lawrence
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies recognizes that
Theodore S. Lawrence, M.D., Ph.D., Isadore Lampe, Professor
of Radiation Oncology, and chair has been elected president
of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology
for the 2003 term.
DRDA
and the IRBMED Co-sponsor Teleconference on Confidentiality
A live satellite videoconference presented by the Society
of Research Administrators International, entitled, "Confidentiality"
will air Thursday, January 23, 2003 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.
Designed for researchers, research administrators, health
care professionals and others involved in research, the teleconference
will address issues related to the effect of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability act (HIPAA) and other general
issues of confidentiality. Two prerecorded vignettes will
be presented followed by expert panel discussions. Viewers
will be able to call or fax in questions for the expert panelists.
The prerecorded vignettes can be viewed at http://www.srainternational.org/newweb/sraarticle1.cfm?id=1.
The conference will be aired on UMTV cable on channel 12 and
can be viewed in any room on campus where there is a UMTV
cable hookup. Videotapes will be made of the teleconference
that will be loaned out through the UM Research website lending
library. Contact: Jo Anne W. Painter, Division of Research
Development & Administration (DRDA), and (734) 764-7234.
Funding
and Award Opportunities
Nominations
Sought for 2003 Research Administrators Awards
Internal Deadline: February 20, 2003
The Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) invites
nominations of outstanding staff members for one of two awards
to be given in the spring, 2003: the Distinguished Research
Administrator Award, and the OVPR Exceptional Service Award.
The deadline for nominations is Thursday, February 20, 2003.
Nomination guidelines for these awards are available from
the OVPR website: http://www.research.umich.edu/
or call 763-6048.
Prostate
Cancer Funds Available
Internal Deadline: January 9, 2003
The Comprehensive Cancer Center (http://www.cancer.med.umich.edu/)
is soliciting applications for funds available from the Prostate
SPORE grant. Support of up to $25,000 is available for a six-
month period beginning February 1, 2003 for projects attempting
to understand the mechanisms involved in prostate cancer development
or to find a prostate cancer cure. The Prostate SPORE grant
is particularly seeking innovative or high-risk ideas in translational
research. The application deadline is January 13, 2003. For
more information contact Jill Miller, 998-6761 or jsmiller@umich.edu.
Bioinformatics
Pilot Research Grant Program 2003
Internal Deadline: January 13, 2003
The University of Michigan Program in Bioinformatics (http://www.bioinformatics.med.umich.edu/index.html)
announces the availability of funds to support collaborative
research in bioinformatics. For purposes of this program,
we view bioinformatics as a field whose goal is to elucidate
and quantify the complex web of interactions that link the
numerous hierarchical levels of organization from DNA sequence
to integrated behavior of the intact organism in its environment.
The following interrelated thematic areas are included: measurement
of molecular components (especially using high throughput
technologies) automated feature extraction, systemic modeling
and prediction, and management of evolving databases. Proposals
that deal with the development of widely applicable methods
and global approaches are particularly encouraged. Collaboration
is essential and preferably will involve investigators in
different disciplines or sub-disciplines. Eligible investigators
include members of the university's regular instructional
and research track faculty and Pfizer employees who are collaborating
with a University investigator. Collaborations between different
units are encouraged. Awards of up to $75,000 will be made
for a period of one year. Application materials and detailed
instructions may be obtained from Michelle Overholser, Bioinformatics
Program, (moverhosler@umich.edu)
or 734-615-5510.
University
of Michigan Research Scientist Awards
Internal Deadline: March 27, 2003
The Office of the Vice President for Research announces three
Awards: Research Scientist Recognition Award, Research Scientist
Achievement Award, and Distinguished Research Scientist Award.
The Research Scientist Recognition
Award
is open for nomination of individuals at the U-M who hold
at least 75% of their total University appointment in the
Primary Research track at the rank of Associate Research Scientist,
Senior Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist, or
Senior Research Scientist. (The nominee may hold up to but
not more than 25% of their Total University appointment in
the instructional track.) The recipient will be awarded $1,000
and a medal commemorating the honor.
The
Research Scientist Achievement Award
is available for nomination of individuals at the U-M who
hold at least 75% of their total University appointment in
the Primary Research track at the rank of Associate Research
Scientist, Senior Associate Research Scientist, Research Scientist,
or Senior Research Scientist. The recipient will be awarded
$1,500 and a medal commemorating the honor.
The
Distinguished Research Scientist
Award
provides discretionary research funding for four years. The
title is retained throughout the Research Scientist’s career
and into retirement. Eligibility is open to individuals at
the U-M who hold at least a 75% appointment in the Primary
Research track, have held the title Research Scientist or
Senior Research Scientist for three or more years, and do
not hold any primary instructional title with effort. The
recipient will be awarded $3,000 and a medal commemorating
the honor. A discretionary research grant of $2,000 per year
for an "active" period of four years will be provided, if
the awardee remains employed as a Research Scientist at the
U-M.
The
deadline for nominations is March 27, 2003. The Awards will
be conferred at the annual Faculty Awards occasion. Send six
copies of each nomination packet to the Office of the Vice
President for Research, 4080 Fleming Bldg., Box 1340. The
nomination packet should include:
- A
statement of the nominee’s achievements in scholarship or
creative activities.
- A
current curriculum vitae.
- A
statement of support from the head of the nominee’s major
unit.
- Letters
of support from internal and external sources (3 from external
sources).
For
more information, contact the Office of the Vice President
for Research, Curt Smitka at 763-6048 or cwsmitka@umich.edu.
Mary
Kay Ash Charitable Foundation Innovative Grants for Translational
Cancer Research
Internal Deadline February 3, 2003
The Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation is accepting applications
for innovative grants for translational research in ovarian,
uterine, breast or cervical cancer. Translational research
is broadly defined as research that will provide a scientific
link between laboratory research and the clinic. Ultimately
such research would lead to improvements in diagnosis, prognosis,
prevention, or treatment of cancer. The award will be up to
$100,000 (combined direct and indirect costs) for a two-year
period. The U-M Medical School may submit one application.
Deadline for submission of an application to the Foundation
is March 7, 2003. For consideration as the institutional nominee,
submit the following by February 3, 2003: a research proposal
(no longer than five pages) and a two-page biosketch. Submit
all internal applications to the Office of Research and Graduate
Studies, 4107 Med Sci I, Box 0624. Contact Denise Swayze,
763-4086 or dswayze@umich.edu
to receive a faxed copy of the grant application announcement,
guidelines and forms.
The
Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation Medical Research Awards
Deadline January 20, 2003
The Robert J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation announces the
sixteenth year of a series of three annual medical prizes
of $35,000 each for extraordinary accomplishment in Cancer
Research, Cardiovascular Research, and Neuropsychiatry. The
awards are given for basic and/or clinical research. Nominators
should send three sets of materials consisting of a one-page
letter stating the rationale for the nomination and a copy
of the nominee’s curriculum vitae and bibliography to: Robert
J. and Claire Pasarow Foundation C/o Annlouise Goodermuth,
Department of Psychiatry Weill Medical College of Cornell
University 1300 York Avenue, Box 171, Room F-1231 New York,
NY 10021 Nominations should be received by January 20, 2003.
Please address any questions to Jack D. Barchas, M.D. (President
of the Foundation), Professor and Chair, Psychiatry, New York
Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center at 212-746-3770.
Walter
A. Rosenblith New Investigator Award
Deadline: April 14, 2003
The Health Effects Institute (HEI) seeks applicants for this
New Investigator Award and is looking for outstanding candidates
with a life sciences, epidemiology, chemistry, engineering,
or statistics background who wish to contribute to research
on the health effects of air pollution. Applicants should
have a Ph.D., M.D, or equivalent degree and hold an assistant
professor level position. Awards are up to $300,000 for 3
years. Visit http://www.healtheffects.org/funding.htm
for eligibility criteria and HEI’s research program priorities.
Ellison
Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award in Global Infectious
Disease Deadline: February 28, 2003 (letter of intent)
The Ellison Medical Foundation requests letters of intent
for their Senior Scholar Award in Global Infectious Disease.
Awards will be made for up to $150,000 per year for up to
four years. The Program will focus its support by placing
emphasis on emerging parasitic and infectious diseases, caused
by viral, bacterial, fungai, protozoal, or helminthic pathogens
of major global public health concern. See the Foundation
website for complete details on the award program: http://www.ellison-med-fn.org/emf_gid_ssa_over.jsp.
International
HDL Research Awards Program
Deadline: March 14, 2003
Pfizer Inc. is pleased to announce the second funding
cycle of the International HDL Research Awards Program. The
goal of the Program is to support outstanding investigators
in the field of HDL biology, including its relationship to
atherothrombotic disease. The program will fund $100,000 of
direct costs per year for 2 years with 10% overhead. For application
materials, visit http://www.physicianscientist.com.
The program will support basic and clinical research into
the metabolism and biological activities of HDL particles.
Research may be in, but is not limited to any of the following
areas: arterial wall, assembly/remodeling, atherosclerosis,
cell biology, CETP (basic and clinical research), as well
as epidemiologic studies utilizing existing populations or
samples, genetics, genomics, HDL particles and macrophage
cholesterol efflux, inflammation/apoptosis, mechanisms of
HDL changes during drug therapy, metabolism, oxidative phenomena,
reverse cholesterol transport, structure function studies,
thrombosis, transcription factors, and vascular biology.
ARA
a Focus on the Science
Deadline: March 17, 2003
Pfizer Inc. is please to announce the ARA Program: "A
Focus on the Science". The Program’s goal is to support outstanding
investigators at the early stages of their careers in academic
research. The ARA will support research into basic mechanisms
of disease that may broadly involve lipid metabolism and/or
vascular biology as well as HMG-CoA reductase pathways or
novel effects of statins. Research may be in Neuroscience,
Cardiovascular medicine, Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Immunology
and Oncology. Awards will be $50,000 per year with the potential
for funding for 2 years (total: $100,000). Complete information
can be found at http://www.arawards.com.
Seminars
Internal
Medicine Faculty Candidate Seminar
1/6/03 in 5915 Buhl
"Role
of the p53 and BRCA1 Tumor Suppressor Genes in DNA Repair,"
James M. Ford, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine (Oncology)
& Genetics, Director, Stanford Program for Applied Cancer
Genetics and the Cancer Genetics Clinic, Director, Stanford
Oncology Fellowship Program, Stanford University School of
Medicine. Sponsored by the Department of Internal Medicine
and the Division of Molecular Medicine and Genetics. Contact:
Maggie Herron, maggieva@umich.edu
or 763-0651.
Immunology
Seminar
1/8/03
from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
in 2901 LRC
The
Graduate Program in Immunology and the Translational Tumor
Immunology Training Grant will sponsor a seminar to be held
on Wednesday, January 8, 2003. The speaker will be William
J. Murphy, Ph.D., University of Nevada, Reno. The topic will
be "CD40- A powerful immunotherapeutic target in cancer."
Contact: Ellen Elkin, eelkin@umich.edu
or 615-4846.
Center
for Organogenesis Seminar Series
http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/organo
January
9, 2003 at 3:30 PM in 5915 Buhl Bldg.
David
J. Mooney, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Biologic & Materials
Sciences; Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering; Professor,
Department of Biomedical Engineering; Associate Professor,
Macromolecular Science and Engineering, University of Michigan
will speak on: "Cell Interactive Polymers for Tissue Regeneration".
January 16, 2003 at 3:30 PM in 5915 Buhl Bldg. Margit Burmeister,
Ph.D., Senior Associate Research Scientist, Mental Health
Research Institute; Associate Professor, Human Genetics, University
of Michigan will speak on "Identification of Recessive Human
Ataxia Genes". Contact: Rebecca Pintar, rpintar@umich.edu
or 6-2499
Cellular
& Molecular Therapeutics Seminar
January
13, 2002 in the LRC 2901 (2nd floor of the Taubman Medical
Library
Bruce
A. Sullenger, Ph.D., Chief, Division of Experimental Surgery,
Duke University Medical Center will speak on "Therapeutic
Applications of RNA". The Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics
Seminar Series is sponsored by the Center for Gene Therapy.
Contact: Ati Tislerics, atisleri@umich.edu
or 647-3413.
Functional
Neuroimaging Speaker Series
http://www.bme.umich.edu/fmri/
01/14/03
at 3:30-5:00 p.m. in Lurie Engineering, Johnson Rooms B
& C, 3rd Floor, 1221 Beal Avenue
Dr.
Steven Small, Asscoiate Professor of Neurology, Radiology,
Psychology College Member, Committees on Neurobiology and
Computational Neuroscience, Co-Director, Brain Research
Imaging Center, The University of Chicago, "On the Role
of Context in Shaping Neural Processing during Language
Comprehension". Light refreshments will be served. Contact:
Eve Gochis, egochis@umich.edu
or 6-0558.
