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CCTS Digest 7.11.14 | www.uab.edu/ccts
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In This Issue
First Drug Candidate from NIH Program Acquired by Biopharmaceutical Company

 

A drug candidate developed by researchers at the NIH's National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) and its collaborators to treat sickle cell disease has been acquired by Baxter International's BioScience business. The drug candidate, Aes-103, is the first specifically developed to target the underlying molecular mechanism of sickle cell disease. Baxter now will advance the clinical development activities required for regulatory approval and commercialization.

 

Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder that affects millions worldwide, including approximately 100,000 people in the United States - among them, 1 in 500 African-Americans.

 

This is the first time a company has acquired a drug candidate developed with NCATS' Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases (TRND) program resources. Read the full release here.

 

Have an Innovative Idea to Improve Your Community?
The third annual Community Health Innovation Awards is now accepting applications. CHIA is an annual grant competition for organizations in the greater Birmingham area. These awards are envisioned as a way for participants to think boldly and creatively about solutions to "on the ground" health challenges communities face, to work in partnership with some of the best minds in our area, and to collaborate with local businesses to complete a project. The team approach of local leaders, the UAB community and neighborhood groups promotes the sharing of resources and expertise. 

Local organizations can win grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to carry out ideas that address community issues creatively. Click here to read more about the award process, including registration.

Seminars
Seminars, Symposia and Conferences
*NEW* Summer Seminar Series

  

Taking place Mondays throughout the summer
9-10:30 a.m.
Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Studies (PCAMS)
1924 7th Avenue South
Engage in a little summer research of your own!

  

Mon. July 14
Stats 101 with Dr. David Redden, Chair, Department of Biostatistics 
***Watch Dr. Redden's talk on "The Fundamentals of Data Management" here (in 3 parts)**


Tues. July 15 

11 am, PCAMS

Webinar: "The Promise of the Microbiome: Function and Dysfunction in Humans and Beyond from Science/AAAS." Leadership from the UAB microbiome core will be present to answer questions.  

  

  

Mon. July 21

9-10:30 am

Summer Training Series "Community-Based Participatory Research" with Dr. Monica Baskin

 

Tues. July 22

Noon

Science Experts Network, a new biosketch development tool, presented by Lee Vucovich of Lister Hill Library

 

 

Wed. July 16
The Biomedical Informatics Seminar Series 
3-4 p.m.
Shelby Building, Room 1015

  

"Role of Bioinformatics in Study Design and Analysis of Genomic Data" with Dr. Elliot J. Lefkowitz, Director, CCTS Informatics

Location: Shelby Building, Room 1015

  

 
Thurs. July 17

Throughout the summer, critical research implementation and management topics will be presented on the first and third Thursday at noon in PCAMS (1924 7th Avenue South). These topics will be of interest and relevance specifically to clinical research personnel including investigators, regulatory personnel, study coordinators and financial administrators. The goal of this new program is to fill in the gaps in information related to the implementation of clinical trials that have been identified by investigators and their research teams. Presented by Penny Jester, co-director UAB Clinical Trials Office. 

  

  

July 17, Noon-1 p.m.

Newly Released Harmonized Core Competency Framework for the Clinical Research Professional and Proposed Site Certification

Presenters:  Carolynn Thomas Jones, DNP

This 1 hour program will review the just released Harmonized Core Competencies for Clinical Research Professionals. Dr. Jones has been part of an international joint task force consisting of representatives from pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, academic institutions, clinical research sites and professional societies. 

Attendees: Research nurse coordinators and managers, research nurses, HR personnel and administrators.

  

Attendees: Research nurse coordinators and managers, research nurses, HR personnel, investigators and administrators.

 

Thurs., August 7

FDA Audit:  Will you be ready?

Presenter:  Penny Jester, BSN, MPH and Susan Branscum, CTA

 

This program will review the how, what, where and why of an FDA audit. Attendees will leave with guidance and tools to assure they are prepared for an audit.

 

Attendees: Research nurse coordinators and managers, research nurses, HR personnel, investigators and administrators.

 

Thurs., August 21

Architecture of a Clinical Trial Program

Presenter: Tiffany Felix, M.S.   Assistant Director, Clinical Trials, USA Mitchell Cancer Institute

 

This program will provide an overview of the structure and function of a clinical trial program.

 

Attendees: Research nurse coordinators and managers, research nurses, HR personnel and administrators.

News
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
 
The CCTS has a new Funding Opportunities page on our website. 
 

There are 31 CDMRP opportunities with preproposal due dates between now and August 1, with more to come.  Research areas include the Peer Reviewed Medical Research Program (which includes 18 topic areas), Prostate Cancer, Orthopaedic, Gulf War Illness, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Neurofibromatosis, Tuberous Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injury. We also list 

the latest research funding announcements, updated weekly, including these newest listings:

 

    

 

    • Career Awards for Medical Scientists (Burroughs Wellcome Fund)
    • Investigators in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Disease (Burroughs Wellcome Fund)
     

Visit the site now for these and ongoing additions to the list!

  

T32 Training Grant Deadlines Coming in September

The next NIH NRSA Institutional T32 training grant application deadline is September 25, 2014, for applications to the following NIH Institutes:

  • NCI
  • NHLBI (resubmissions only)
  • NIAID (only annual submission date)
  • NIGMS (predoc only)
  • NHGRI (competing renewals and resubmissions only)

The CCTS currently provides support in the preparation of NIH T32 training grant applications. Please visit the  CCTS Resources for Training Grant (T32) Directors website for additional assistance.

BiostatisticsBIOSTATISTICS

Mondays
Epidemiology/Biostatistics Clinic in The Edge of Chaos

  

This clinic provides the UAB community access to epidemiology and biostatistics resources.  Available most Mondays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Edge of Chaos (Lister Hill Library, 4th floor).  Check the Edge of Chaos calendar for confirmation of meeting dates and times. 
 

Wed. July 23

UAB CCTS Biostatistics Clinic                                                    

11:30 am-1:30 pm

PCAMS Building 1924 7th Avenue South

 

The Biostatistics Clinic is open to all faculty members, post-docs, fellows, residents, and students. Attendees are invited to bring statistical and methodological questions about on-going research projects, projects being planned, manuscripts in progress, responses to peer reviewers, and published articles. They are also invited to bring their laptops. Assistance will be provided by members of the CCTS BERD group. A light lunch is served.  

 

 

BERD Design Consultation Available Today

In support of Pilot & Feasibility Projects, the CCTS is offering design consultation through its Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Research Division (BERD).  A team of methodologists, including experts in Epidemiology (Gerald McGwin, Russell Griffin), Biostatistics (Robert Oster, David Redden, Leslie McClure), and Statistical Genetics (Hemant Tiwari, Xiangqin Cui) are available to collaborate in the design of  the pilot proposals as well as in their review.  If other methodological expertise is required in the project design, the BERD will recruit the required expertise from among the network of UAB methodologists.

 

Please contact the BERD and request design consultation by emailing bstchair@uab.edu, calling 4-4905 or connecting through Research Commons on the CCTS home page.

 

 

 

* SHARPEN YOUR SCIENCE * 

 

 

R01 renewal/resubmission deadlines are just around the corner! 

For ALL internal or external applications:

�        STUDY DESIGN:

Take advantage of CCTS expertise in study design, methods and biostatistics to optimize your proposal.  

�        PROJECT PANELS:

Meet with a team of scientific experts who have perused your application as a first level of peer review.

  

Here are just a few comments from panel participants:  

  • "It was exactly what I needed."-Dr. Rita Cowell, Asst. Professor, Behavioral Psychology
  • "The CCTS Panel was very helpful." -Dr. Lynn Dobrunz, Assoc. Prof., Neurobiology
  • "The panel was AMAZING! There is no question in my mind that I submitted a MUCH stronger grant application as a result of this meeting. I am particularly impressed of how well the panel addressed the specific needs I expressed in my initial request to the CCTS. My prior understanding was that the CCTS provides feedback on presentations in the early stages of a grant application development, but maybe reviewing applications in later stages (e.g., prior to a resubmission) is another venue for the CCTS to support grant writers and improve the overall rate of funding success. THANK YOU!!!" -Dr. Kerstin Schroder, Assoc. Prof., Health Behavior 

  

You write the science, let the CCTS do the rest.

 Contact ccts@uab.edu for more information.

 


Save the Date: The Community Engagement Institute is Coming!
 
Join the UAB CCTS's One Great Community project and the Jefferson County Participation Board this fall on Friday, October 10, 2014, for a half-day event aimed at engaging members of our amazing community. Come join us and learn more about opportunities for collaborative research and service in the greater Birmingham area. Stay tuned for details!

UAB Center for Clinical and Translational Science |  ccts@uab.edu
 Pittman Center for Advanced Medical Sciences
1924 Seventh Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35294

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