Programs and Activities Highlights
- American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Forum 2024
The American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Forum 2024 was held April 28–May 1, 2024, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The ORIP Director participated in a panel discussion focused on facility and infrastructure improvements to animal programs. As a representative for ORIP, she provided a high-level discussion focused on funding mechanisms, as well as research projects that NIH is interested in funding.
- Small Business Fact Sheet
ORIP revised its fact sheet on its Small Business Programs. ORIP reviewed the previous fact sheet for accuracy and updated funding numbers. This is one of several fact sheets that serve as valuable resources for potential investigators to learn about ORIP resources and programs. This fact sheet was published in English and Spanish.
- ORIP-Supported Research on NIH Director’s Blog and NIH Research Matters
Research in part supported by the NIH Shared Instrumentation Grant (S10OD028685) was highlighted in both the NIH Director’s Blog and NIH Research Matters. A study found that a specific subtype of the mouth bacterium Fusobacterium nucleatum, called Fusobacterium nucleatum animalis (Fna) C2, may drive colorectal tumor growth. This bacterium's genetic properties allow it to survive in the stomach and infect colorectal tumors, suggesting it could be targeted for colorectal cancer detection and treatment. The findings, reported in Nature, highlight the potential for microbial-based therapies and the need to explore connections between oral health and colorectal cancer.
- NIH 2024 INCLUDE Investigators Meeting
The 2024 NIH INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Investigators Meeting was held April 15–16, 2024. The event brought together researchers, clinicians, and members of the Down syndrome community to share findings and foster collaboration. Sessions covered a range of topics, including data sharing, clinical trials, and preclinical considerations. ORIP staff served on the meeting planning team, helped review travel award applications, and represented NIH in a breakout session on challenges, gaps, and future directions in the field.
- ORIP Grantee Featured in Los Angeles Times
ORIP grantee Dr. Amro Hamdoun’s research (funded by R21OD034075) on stable germline transgenesis in Lytechinus pictus was featured in the Los Angeles Times in an article titled: “Sea urchins made to order: Scripps scientists make transgenic breakthrough.” Hamdoun’s laboratory demonstrated the successful insertion of a piece of foreign DNA for a fluorescent protein that resulted in the first transgenic sea urchin. This work will transform sea urchins into an animal model for understanding neurobiology, developmental biology, and toxicology.
Read more in the archive.
Collaborations with Other NIH Institutes/Centers/Offices
- NIGMS Co-Funds Four R24 Equipment Grants
Between April and June 2024, the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, whose mission is to support basic research that increases understanding of biological processes and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, has co-funded four of ORIP’s R24 equipment grants.
- 2024 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV
The 2024 Workshop for Early Career Investigators in HIV was held virtually on April 24, 2024. Hosted by the Office of AIDS Research (OAR), the workshop provided early-stage investigators, early-career investigators (ECIs), and undergraduate and graduate students with information about OAR and HIV research at NIH, as well as NIH resources that are available to support ECIs. An ORIP staff member served on the organizing committee for this workshop.
- Conferences Supported by ORIP and the Office of AIDS Research
The California National Primate Research Center (CNPRC) hosted the 40th Annual Symposium on Nonhuman Primate (NHP) Models for AIDS in October 2023. This symposium offered a key scientific forum for exchanging information and developing collaborations among HIV investigators using NHPs who presented and discussed their work in advancing translation of NHP studies into real-world prophylactic and therapeutic strategies. The HIV Vaccine Trials Network hosted its 7th Annual Translational HIV Vaccine Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Conference in conjunction with this symposium. This conference provided keynote presentations, learning and skill-building opportunities on priority topics, professional development sessions on grant writing, funding opportunities for and challenges of doing NHP research, advice on working successfully with NIH program officials, information on managing research funding, and opportunities for ESIs to network and interact in translational HIV research. ORIP and the Office of AIDS Research supported these meetings through R13 awards.
- Planning Discussion for Human Tissue and Organ Research Resource (HTORR) U42 Notice of Funding Opportunity Reissue in Fall 2024
The HTORR Steering Committee met on August 30, 2023, to address issues planned for the fall meeting. Program staff from ORIP, NEI, NHLBI, NIAID, NIAMS, and NIDDK were represented. Consideration was given to reissue a program announcement and include open competition. Stronger language was recommended related to quality control and innovations. An external advisory committee in the notice of funding opportunity has been incorporated.
- Request for Information: Infrastructure for Research in Nonhuman Primates (NOT-OD-23-150)
ORIP and OAR were seeking information on capabilities of commercial organizations, nonprofit organizations, and universities to provide research resources necessary for the conduct of biomedical research in nonhuman primates (NHPs), as well as information on expectations for future needs for NHP resource expectations by the research community between July and September 2023.
Read more in the archive.
