Archived Workshop Reports

On May 23 and 24, 2012, the NIH convened a workshop, entitled "Improving Animal Models for Regenerative Medicine." The goals of the workshop were to: 1) review the current status and benefits of the use of animal models for cell-based regenerative medicine, with the eventual goal of moving these techniques into clinical practice; and 2) for subject matter experts to provide advice to the NIH regarding potential initiatives that will advance the field.

“Evolution of Disease Models Resources,” the Ninth Comparative Medicine Resource Directors Meeting was held in Bethesda, Maryland. Principal Investigators were invited to attend if they held resource-related grants or contracts from the Division of Comparative Medicine, Office of Research Infrastructure Programs, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, Office of the Director. This biannual meeting provides a forum to exchange information among grantees and extramural program staff members from many NIH Institutes and Center and the NIH Office of the Director, and to highlight activities of the DCM-supported resource centers. At this meeting, 26 presentations and more than 50 posters highlighted aspects of “Strengthening DCM Resources’ Impact in Biomedical Research,” “Strategies for Linking Genotypes with Phenotypes,” and “Promoting a Resource.”

In the “pre-genomic” era, efforts to functionally annotate human and animal genomes provided information regarding the structure and biological activity of individual genes, leading to a better understanding of the genetic basis of a variety of human monogenic diseases. In the “post genomic” era, sequencing of entire genomes and development of complex bioinformatic tools such as the human HapMap have revealed specific alleles associated with monogenic as well as complex diseases in humans. One of the most frequently used approaches to verify that particular genetic changes lead to human disease is to recapitulate and test these changes in genetically-modified animal models.

The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM), within the Office of Research Infrastructure Programs (ORIP) / DPCPSI / NIH-OD, funds Special Emphasis Research Career Awards (SERCAs) in Pathology and Comparative Medicine. These K01 awards are intended specifically to assist graduate veterinarians who have experience in animal/comparative research to become independent investigators in areas related to biomedical science. Since its inception more than 30 years ago, an independent evaluation of the program has not been done. Therefore, in 2012 the DCM assessed the extent to which the program is achieving its original goals.

The Eighth Comparative Medicine (CM) Resource Directors Meeting was held May 10 – 11, 2010, at the Doubletree Hotel in Bethesda, Md. Principal Investigators were invited to attend if they held resource-related grants or contracts from NCRR's (now ORIP's) Division of Comparative Medicine. This biannual meeting provided a forum to exchange information among grantees and extramural program staff members from many NIH ICs and all four divisions of NCRR, and to highlight activities of the DCM-supported resource centers. At this meeting, 33 presentations and 32 posters highlighted aspects of Translational Medicine, High-Throughput Technologies, and Reinvigorating and Empowering the Biomedical Community.

This workshop of the representatives from each of the MMRRC repositories and ICSC was held to coordinate efforts and ensure extensive and accurate curation of strain information for all of the accepted MMRRC strains in the repository. The central purpose of the meeting was to discuss the significant number of newly deposited strains that are requiring joint efforts for the fast and proper curation in order to make the strain information available to the requesting investigators through the ICSC search interface.

The central purpose of this workshop was to assess the current nature and immediate future of transcriptomic expression profiling resources that may advance the utility of aquatic models to address relevant issues in human disease research. This workshop blended a diverse group of aquatic biomedical model experts to assess the scientific potential of utilizing transcriptomics in aquatic models of human disease and to evaluate mechanisms to overcome the substantial hurdles for individual labs to capitalize on the new methods.

The Neotropical Primates in Biomedical Research Workshop was held September 22 – 23, 2010, at the Lister Hill auditorium (Bldg. 38A) on the NIH main campus in Bethesda, Md. The purpose of the workshop was to provide an update on the current use of neotropical (new world) primates in biomedical research and insights into their potential future use and demand. Overall, there were 25 presenters. There were a total of 103 participants, including NIH-supported extramural and intramural researchers, and NIH program and review staff.

The purpose of this workshop was to identify common problems encountered during the practice of T1 translational research and potential solutions to those problems. The workshop addressed the following topics: Pathways of T1 translational research, use of team science, methods for incorporating advanced technologies and animal models into T1 translation, and the specific needs of early career investigators.

The purpose of the workshop was to identify current problems and future challenges related to the control, detection, research interpretation and zoonotic potential of emerging and re-emerging pathogens in animal resource facilities, including aquatic models, nonhuman primates (NHP) and rodents.

The purpose of this workshop was to discuss the state of existing NIH-funded research core facilities, identify common problems encountered during their operation and use, and raise options to maximize the use and efficiency of core facilities. Based on examples of current use and the session discussions, workshop participants were given the opportunity to propose changes to improve access, administrative management, training, utilization, and quality assurance at core facilities.

More than 450 people gathered on the North Carolina State University campus August 6 – August 8 for the 2009 National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. This public-private-partnership — sponsored in part by NIH, Merck & Co., Inc. and the animal health company Merial, Ltd. — convened veterinary students from schools around the United States and Canada who are engaged in formal research training programs. The focus this year was "Translational Research: Putting Discoveries to Work in Practice."

This final report summarizes a meeting of the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Working Group held in Bethesda, Maryland on Monday, May 5, 2008. The purpose of the meeting was to provide expert input to the National Advisory Research Resources Council on specific issues related to the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) oversight of the federally supported National Chimpanzee Sanctuary.

On July 8, 2008, the Chimpanzee Sanctuary Working Group toured the Chimp Haven facility with the Chimp Haven staff and Board of Directors. The tour was comprehensive, and all of the facilities were visited — though it did not include entering the interior housing areas.

Over 450 people gathered on the Michigan State University campus July 31 – August 3 for the 2008 National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. This symposium — sponsored in part by NIH, Merck & Co., Inc. (a pharmaceutical company), and Merial (an animal health company) — brought together veterinary students from schools around the United States and Canada who are engaged in formal research programs.

Biomedical research is critical for effective resolution of the health issues which negatively impact our world. From both individual and societal perspectives, serious health issues are a profound detrimental influence on quality of life. In addition, treatment of health issues consumes a significant and increasing share of individual and national resources, thereby limiting options to address other issues of societal concern. Taken together, these factors form a substantial motivation to maximize productivity in biomedical research.

Dr. Stephen Barthold of the University of California at Davis was awarded a conference grant that supported the Seventh Comparative Medicine (CM) Resource Directors Meeting held on October 7 – 8, 2008, at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Principal Investigators were invited to attend if they held resource-related grants or contracts from NCRR's (now ORIP's) Division of Comparative Medicine. The meeting provided a forum to highlight activities of the DCM-supported resource centers and to exchange additional information. The attendees included the Principal Investigators of NCRR-supported centers funded by contracts, P40, U24, and U42 grant mechanisms, as well as grantees that have resource-related projects funded via the R24 mechanism. During the Seventh CM Resource Directors' Meeting, extensive material was provided on a compact disc prepared by NCRR staff and distributed to the attendees.

The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), one of the 27 Institutes/Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supports research to create and develop critical resources, models, and technologies. Within NCRR, the Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) helps to meet the needs of biomedical researchers for high-quality, disease-free animals and specialized animal research facilities. Through grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, the DCM supports national primate research centers and their field stations, resource-related projects, development of mammalian and nonmammalian animal model resources, postdoctoral training, and a variety of research projects. Within DCM, the Chimpanzee Management Program (ChiMP) supports long-term, cost-effective care and housing for chimpanzees.

Over 450 people gathered on the NIH campus at the Natcher Auditorium August 3-4 for the 2007 National Veterinary Scholars Symposium. This symposium—sponsored in part by NIH, Merck & Co., Inc. (a pharmaceutical company), and Merial (an animal health company)—brought together veterinary students from schools around the United States and Canada who are engaged in formal research programs. The Symposium was hosted by the University of Pennsylvania and focused on research performed by veterinary students in summer programs, combined degree students, postgraduate veterinarian-scientists, and more senior veterinary scientists.