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UAB CCTS Digest
September 20, 2013
A Harvest Moon Over Alabama This Week 
The Harvest Moon is the full moon that falls closest to the autumnal equinox, which marks the first day of fall in the Northern Hemisphere.

  

IN THE NEWS

  

CCTS Phase I Unit Featured in UAB Magazine

The new issue of the UAB Magazine, available online, features an in-depth article about the CCTS' new Phase I Unit. 

  

  

Lynn Holt (above, with his wife, Suzy) is receiving a new treatment for brain cancer as part of a phase 1 clinical trial at UAB. Phase 1 trials are the first studies of new treatments conducted in humans. UAB's new Phase 1 Clinical Trials Unit, which opened in February 2013, will allow more patients to take part in these potentially lifesaving trials, and increase the number of phase 1 trials available at UAB.

  

  

Read the article here

  

The CCTS recently expanded its Clinical Research Unit (CRU) by adding a 7,950 square foot Phase I Clinical Trials Unit.  The Unit is located on the 15th floor of Jefferson Tower, adjacent to the existing CRU and the sample processing facility.  It is comprised of five patient rooms for the administration of novel research agents.  Each patient room has the flexibility to be utilized as a private or semi-private room that allows for maximum space utilization and appropriate patient monitoring.  The Phase I Clinical Trials Unit also includes the capacity for the administration of standard of care drugs and routine patient infusions, which enhances the nurses' focus on the care given to the patients receiving Phase I agents.  The Unit is supported by a centrally located nurse's station with pneumatic tube functionality to allow for quick transport of specimens to the hospital lab as well as receipt of some pharmaceuticals. 

  

For more information on how to access the Phase I Clinical Trials Unit, please contact Jolene Lewis (jelewis@uabmc.edu or 205-934-7817).

  

  

Call for Applications: Clinical and Translational Science Training Program
 

  

We are currently accepting applications for the Clinical and Translational Science (CTS) Training Program. Application deadline is November 12, 2013. Junior faculty and postdoctoral fellows who are interested in an academic career in clinical and translational research are invited to apply.

  

The CTS program is a 6-month certificate program that includes approximately 50 hours of didactic instruction and interactive experience. Classes will be held Wednesday mornings, 8-10 a.m., beginning January 2014. For more information on the program and how to apply, click here, or contact Audrey Wrenn, awrenn@uab.edu or 205-978-8333.

 
 
Call for Nominations: The 2014 Passano Foundation Awards 

  

The CCTS needs your help: The Passano Foundation, established in 1945, is seeking nominations for its annual Passano Award, to be given to an established investigator in recognition of his or her research which leads to clinical medical applications. The CCTS is facilitating the review of nominations on UAB's behalf. To nominate, complete the one-page application and email to us at: ccts@uab.edu. Nominations are due by November 1, 2013.

  

We urge you to consider your colleagues and mentors at UAB and nominate those who you feel deserve this honor. The Passano Foundation provides an annual award of $100,000 to any research scientist whose work is thought to have immediate practical benefits. Many Passano laureates have gone on to win the Nobel Prize.
  
CCTS EVENTS

Thursday, Sept. 26-Friday, Sept. 27

3rd annual Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference (i3)

Students and Faculty: Don't miss the 3rd annual Alabama Launchpad Innovation and Entrepreneurship Conference (i3), the only statewide event focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. Hear national speakers, visit with top Alabama startups, and learn from thought leaders as we celebrate Alabama's innovative ecosystem.The conference will be held at the Birmingham Wynfrey hotel on September 26 and 27. This event will include the finale of the current round of the Launchpad startup competition. The $100,000 in cash grants that the competition awards each round has provided proof-of-concept and seed funding for UAB start-ups in the past.

This year's keynote speakers are William Taylor, founding editor, Fast Company; Brad Feld, founder, The Foundry and Techstars. Other scheduled speakers include: Ted Alling, CEO, Access America Transport; Andrew Chang, director of marketing, UPS.
 
Any faculty or student interested in actively developing or commercializing their research may attend. 

For more info: http://alabamalaunchpad.com/i3/registration/

Questions about i3 can be addressed to Greg Sheek (gsheek@edpa.org / 205.943.4724)

 


 

 

Register Now: Sept. 30-Oct. 1 Genetics & Genomics in Clinical Research Immersion Course for Investigators at UAB

  

 

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

CCTS Forum

4:45-6 p.m.

Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Studies

 

Our next Forum will feature information on current and developing pediatric research. Pediatric research was an area of emphasis in the recent Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report on the CTSA program.  Please join us on Tuesday, October 2 from 4:45-6 p.m. in PCAMS (1924 7th Avenue South), to participate.  As always, we will welcome you with drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Click here to read more.

 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

TIERS (Training Interdisciplinary Emerging Research Scholars) Meeting

"Transitioning from to an R01: Perspectives from a Behavioral/Population-Based and a Basic/Clinical Scientist"

5 p.m.

Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Studies

 

Featuring: Isabel Scarinci, PhD, MPH
Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Preventive Medicine
Associate Director for Faculty Development and Education
Leader, Minority Health & Research Center (MHRC) Outreach Program & Training Program
Associate Scientist in the UAB Minority Health & Research Center, Comprehensive Cancer Center, and Center for the Study of Community Health
 
and

Marcas Bamman, PhD
Professor, Departments of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology
Director, UAB Center for Exercise Medicine
Associate Director, Comprehensive Center for Healthy Aging
Investigator, Birmingham/Atlanta VA GRECC

Refreshments and drinks offered. Register by Oct. 3. 

 

 

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Professional Skills Training Program

8-9:30 a.m. West Pavilion, Room E

"Biology, Bioinformatics, and Big Data: Trying to Survive in the Trenches"

 

Presented by: Elliot Lefkowitz, Professor, Microbiology; Director, CCTS Biomedical Informatics

 

To register visit: https://informatics2013.eventbrite.com

 

 

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Southern Research Institute Cancer Research Seminar Series

Features Keshav K. Singh, PhD

Joy and Bill Harbert Endowed Chair in Cancer Genetics

Professor of Genetics, UAB

Noon-1 p.m.

 

Southern Research Institute Cancer Research Seminars serve as a platform for scientists to present their research and exchange ideas on cancer research/cancer drug discovery. The seminar is held at noon on the third Tuesday in each month at the Library Conference Room, Southern Research Institute, 2000 9th Avenue South, Birmingham, 35205. Lunch is provided.  

Thursday, October 17, 2013
Drug Discovery and Development Lecture Series
Noon-1 p.m.
Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Studies
Featuring: Dr. Maaike Everts, Associate Director, Alabama Drug Discovery Alliance

Look for a full schedule of events in the series coming soon!

 

Save the Date: November 5, UAB Comprehensive Cancer Center 

Cancer Center Research Retreat
 

 NIH NEWS & VIEWS

 
NIH Announcement: Applications to Loan Repayment Programs Accepted Sept. 1-Nov. 15
NIH logo  
On July 16 NIH announced the next application cycle for the NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Programs (LRPs). If you are a researcher who has incurred significant educational debt, then the NIH LRPs are for you. Click here to visit the NIH page and learn more about qualifications and other details. 
 
Also: Check out this helpful Q&A from NIH Office of Extramural Research on: "How Can My Institution Support Public Access Compliance and Prevent Delays in Funding Due to Public Access Issues?" posted July 31, 2013. For more information visit the CCTS Training Academy page on the topic.
 

NIH Announcement: Opportunity to Submit Proposals for the Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) Program

Notice Number: NOT-TR-13-007

Key Dates
Release Date: July 22, 2013
Letter of Intent/Pre-Application Call Due: No later than September 16, 2013 
Final Proposal Submission Date: September 30, 2013

 

  

NIH Funds Research to Explore Cell-to-Cell Communication   

Researchers will investigate the emerging field of extracellular RNA and its role in human health conditions  

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced $17 million in awards on August 13, 2013, for the Extracellular RNA (exRNA) Communication program. This trans-NIH initiative is designed to advance research in a newly discovered type of cell-to-cell communication that may play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of health conditions.

Through 24 awarded research projects, scientists will explore basic exRNA biology and develop tools and technologies that apply new knowledge about exRNA to the research, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, including many types of cancer, bone marrow disorders, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. Of these projects, NCATS will administer 18 awards

 through which researchers will develop biomarkers from exRNA and design new ways to use exRNA in treatments.

  

Click here to read more about this initiative.

 

NIH Announces Availability of a Test (Beta) Version of the Science Experts Network (SciENcv)

This new electronic system will enable researchers to easily assemble the information (including expertise, employment, education and professional accomplishments) to populate an NIH biographical sketch (biosketch).  Initially, the goal of SciENcv is to reduce the burden associated with creating and maintaining federal biosketches while accommodating the need to describe scientific contributions.

  

Users can get to SciENcv by going to the NCBI sign-in page at  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/account/.  Users have the option to sign in using third-party accounts (for example, an eRA Commons account, a local institutional account through InCommon, or a Google account). Full documentation on how to use My NCBI is located at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK3842/.  Information on how to set up and use the SciENcv tool is located at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK154494/

 

  

The beta version of SciENcv will allow users to explore the system and create an NIH biosketch.   Users also are invited to identify features that need to improved or added to fully serve the needs of the research community.  Suggestions can be entered using the utility provided at 

 info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.  A number of enhancements are already planned for future versions of SciENcv including the ability to generate biosketches for other federal agencies as well as other functionality listed below

  • Generate and maintain multiple biosketches including those for NSF and other federal science agencies
  • Describe the scientific impact of past discoveries
  • Ingest data from additional external systems
  • Control data exposure
  • Transfer data to other systems
  • Allow delegates to manage data
 

UPCOMING EVENTS/OPPORTUNITIES
Registration Now Open: UAB Center for Exercise Medicine Symposium, October 23
 
UCEM logo  

  

Free registration and trainee abstract submission for the upcoming inaugural UAB Center for Exercise Medicine symposium, October 23, is now available. The symposium agenda is also online. There are several easy options to reach the "Register" button.  Click the Symposium banner announcement, the options in the left side grey box or SYMPOSIUM on the top bar.  Each will take you to the Registration and Abstract submission.

  

*Trainee Poster Competition*

3 Travel Awards

Abstract deadline: September 5

Please encourage your trainees to present.

Scott K. Powers, Ed.D., PhD, UAA Endowed Professor and Distinguished Professor of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology will be our Keynote Speaker for this event. 

 

Learn more about the Center and training program at:  www.uab.edu/exercise.

    

For more events and opportunities in October and beyond, visit our Announcements page.

 

 
Struggling with a Grant Resubmission? Need Some 
Expert Consultation?
Try the CCTS Project Panels

 

Project Panels can help you brainstorm about ideas, generate research questions, meet possible collaborators, fine-tune study design, and sharpen your proposals. We gather whatever expertise is needed to work with you to strengthen your project.
 
We welcome all faculty, trainees and students who want to use panels for their research.

 

The first step is with you.  Contact us for more information or to schedule a panel today!

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