The National Advisory General Medical Sciences (NAGMS) Council was convened in closed session for its one hundred sixty-second meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2016.
Dr. Jon R. Lorsch, director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), presided as chair of the meeting. After a closed session from 8:30 a.m. to 2:50 p.m. on September 15, the meeting was open to the public on September 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:31 a.m.
Gail E. Besner, Ph.D. Liza D. Cariaga-Lo, Ed.D. Carmen W. Dessauer, Ph.D. Samuel H. Gellman, Ph.D. Henry T. Greely, J.D. Alan (Rick) F. Horwitz, Ph.D. Richard Lalonde, Pharm.D. Mark Peifer, Ph.D. Ronald M. Przygodzki, M.D. Janet L. Smith, Ph.D. Willem (Wilfred) A. van der Donk, Ph.D.
David Berkowitz, Ph.D. Willa Cather Professor Department of Chemistry University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, NE 68588
Martha Bulyk, Ph.D. Professor of Medicine Professor of Pathology Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School Boston, MA 02115
Enrique De La Cruz, Ph.D. Professor Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Yale University New Haven, CT 06520
Ramanand Dixit, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Biology Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, MO 63130
Elizabeth Gavis, M.D., Ph.D. Damon B. Pfeiffer Professor in the Life Sciences Department of Molecular Biology Princeton University Princeton, NJ 08544
Judith A. James, M.D., Ph.D. Lou C. Kerr Endowed Chair in Biomedical Research Professor, Department of Medicine University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Oklahoma City, OK 73104
Scott A. McLuckey, Ph.D. John A. Leighty Distinguished Professor Department of Chemistry Purdue University West Lafayette, IN 47907
Pedro Mendes, Ph.D. Professor Department of Cell Biology University of Connecticut School of Medicine Farmington, CT 06030
Eranthie Weerapana, Ph.D. Associate Professor Department of Chemistry Boston College Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Council roster (available from NIGMS)
André Porter, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dr. Yvette Seger, Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Dr. Erika Shugart, American Society for Cell Biology Julie Fabsik-Swarts, National Postdoctoral Association Dr. Jodi Yellin, Association of American Medical Colleges
Please see the sign-in sheet (available from NIGMS)
None
Dr. Lorsch thanked the regular members of the Council who were present and introduced the special consultants. He then introduced and welcomed the guests in attendance.
The minutes of the May 19-20, 2016, meeting were approved as submitted.
The following dates for future Council meetings were confirmed:
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NIGMS Director Dr. Jon R. Lorsch updated the Council on staff hires and departures at NIGMS and NIH, highlighting the recent retirement of Ann Dieffenbach, long-time NIGMS communications director, and the appointments of Dr. Joshua A. Gordon to lead National Institute of Mental Health, and Dr. Diana Bianchi to lead the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. He pointed to upcoming NIGMS-sponsored events including the annual Stetten Lecture (October 19) and Ce?ll Day (November 3). Dr. Lorsch then discussed results of the first ESI/NI MIRA program, and described the proposed Common Fund Cryo-EM Initiative that will feature three shared, national facilities. Finally, he presented next steps for the Institute’s “Catalyzing the Modernization of Biomedical Graduate Education” effort. NIGMS aims to create a T32-based funding solicitation tailored to promote the development and iterative improvement of outstanding predoctoral training programs in fundamental biomedical research that meet the needs of a continually evolving scientific enterprise.
Contact: Dr. Jon R. Lorsch, 301-594-2172, jon.lorsch@nih.gov
The mission of the Allen Institute for Cell Science in Seattle, Washington, is to understand and predict cellular properties and behaviors, as well as new approaches to manipulate them. As discussed by the Institute’s Executive Director Dr. Alan Rick Horwitz, most cellular behaviors result from the organization of cellular components into discrete functional units that operate locally and transiently. He described the organization’s initial project to quantify the relative locations and dynamics of the major cellular functional units and activities as the stem cells execute characteristic activities, including passage through the cell cycle and differentiation, and in response to environmental perturbations. He noted that image data will be integrated with genomic data to model cellular organization and its transitions, with an initial goal of predicting cell state and pathology and creating a physical and functional platform, an “animated cell,” for whole-cell computational models. This visual database will also serve as an output for computational modeling. All data, models, reagents and tools generated by the Institute will be made publically available.
Contact: Dr. Alan Rick Horwitz, 206-548-7000, rickh@alleninstitute.org
Released late last year, the NIH Strategic Plan articulated a goal to excel as a federal agency that manages by results. In keeping with this emphasis, NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research Dr. Michael Lauer presented his perspectives on what types of metrics NIH and the biomedical research community should focus on when making policy decisions. These metrics include measures of funding, workforce, research impact, research efficiency and insights to be gained from research that lead to transformative discoveries. He concluded by suggesting that research grant-making should become more of an evidence-based field.
Contact: Dr. Michael Lauer, 301-496-1096, Michael.Lauer@nih.gov
The goal of the COBRE initiative is to strengthen institutional biomedical research capabilities in IDeA states through three 5-year phases of infrastructure and faculty development of thematic and multidisciplinary research centers. The COBRE phase III primarily enables transitioning research core resources developed during phases I and II into sustainable core facilities capable of supporting the conduct of high-caliber biomedical research. Dr. J. Rafael Gorospé requested, and received, Council approval to re-issue the COBRE phase III funding announcement to solicit P30 applications from current COBRE phase II awardees.
Contact: Dr. J. Rafael Gorospe, 301-435-0832, gorospejr@mail.nih.gov
The IDeA-CTR initiative develops network infrastructure and capacity in eligible states to conduct clinical and translational research focused on health concerns that affect medically underserved populations and/or that are prevalent in IDeA states. IDeA-CTR awards support mentoring and professional development activities in clinical and translational research. Dr. J. Rafael Gorospe requested, and received, Council approval to re-issue the IDeA-CTR FOA to solicit new and continuing U54 applications from eligible institutions.
The objective of the INBRE initiative is to augment and strengthen the biomedical research capacity of an IDeA-eligible state. The INBRE program represents a collaborative effort to support research between research-intensive institutions, primarily undergraduate institutions, community colleges, and Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (as appropriate). Dr. Krishan Arora requested, and received, Council approval to re-issue the INBRE funding announcement to solicit applications from current INBRE awardees.
Contact: Dr. Krishan Arora, 301-594-3900, arorak@mail.nih.gov
The Joint DMS/NIGMS Initiative to Support Research at the Interface of the Biological and Mathematical Sciences (MathBio) promotes collaboration between the life sciences and the mathematical and statistical sciences communities; brings scientists with strong quantitative skills to work on NIH-relevant research; and enriches the pool of NIGMS applications with projects that have strong quantitative components. Dr. Paul Brazhnik requested, and received, Council approval to continue this program. The updated MathBio program will support R01 research projects in which mathematics and statistics play essential roles for advancement in the biological and biomedical sciences.
Contact: Dr. Paul Brazhnik, 301-451-6446, brazhnikp@nigms.nih.gov
NIGMS supports a limited number of clinical trials in areas of high significance to its mission (trauma and burn, peri-operative injury, sepsis, wound healing, anesthesiology, and peri-operative pain). Prior to submitting a clinical trial application, many activities such as establishing collaborative relationships with participating sites, preparing regulatory approvals, and developing plans for data analysis/trial oversight must be completed. Dr. Sarah Dunsmore requested, and received, Council approval to solicit planning grant (R34) applications from investigators interested in clinical trials relevant to the NIGMS mission.
Contact: Dr. Sarah Dunsmore, 301-594-3827, dunsmores@mail.nih.gov
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The Biomedical Technology Research Resources (BTRR) program has a mission to provide investigators with the necessary cutting-edge tools and environments to advance biomedical research, with the ultimate goal of improving human disease detection, prevention and treatment. The updated program aims to support BTRR Centers with three primary components: Technology Research and Development, Driving Biomedical Projects and Community Engagement. The centers will have a dual mission to provide a platform that will develop high-impact technologies that enable biomedical research and to move those technologies into wide use within the research community. Dr. Susan Gregurick requested, and received, Council approval to continue this program.
Contact: Dr. Susan Gregurick, 301-451-6446, susan.gregurick@nih.gov
Dr. Yvette Seger, director of science policy at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB), noted the organization’s continued interest and involvement in efforts related to NIH’s Rigor and Reproducibility initiative. She also mentioned FASEB’s efforts to increase awareness, usage and acknowledgement of shared research resources.
André Porter, policy analyst at the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB), commented on the group’s sustained support of NIGMS’ mission and programs. ASBMB continues its focus on supporting the biomedical research workforce and maintaining consistent research funding.
Julie Fabsik-Swarts, new executive director of the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA), introduced herself and said she looks forward to working with NIGMS. She also noted NPA’s Annual Meeting will take place in San Francisco, California, on March 17-19, 2017, and that National Postdoc Appreciation Week is September 19-23, 2016.
A summary of applications reviewed by the Council is available from NIGMS.
The meeting adjourned at 11:31 a.m. on September 16, 2016.
I hereby certify that to my knowledge the foregoing minutes are accurate and complete.
