Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Organ Innervation: Development, Disease, and Repair

Contact: Aimee Benton, the Hill Group
abenton@thehillgroup.com
Date: April 15–16, 2004

Organ dysfunction as a consequence of neural defects or injury is a common and debilitating problem. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) is organizing this workshop on organ innervation to review current knowledge in this field, identify impediments to research, and map out new avenues for research. An international group of investigators will convene to discuss innervation during development and disease progression and following injury. Developmental mechanisms underlying neural crest fate specification and migration to specific organs as well as factors that guide these processes and regulate neural survival will be considered. Mechanisms of neural injury, autonomic plasticity, and repair will also be emphasized.

Protein Misfolding and Misprocessing in Disease

Contact: Aimee Benton, the Hill Group
abenton@thehillgroup.com
Date: May 4–5, 2004

Extensive new research on protein folding and misfolding, especially within the endoplasmic reticulum, is providing fascinating insights into the mechanisms by which disease-associated proteins aggregate and injure cells. This workshop will focus on both basic science and clinical issues. Speakers will discuss new concepts for therapeutics, including the use of small molecules and chaperones to prevent protein misfolding or aggregation, to enhance the removal of toxic protein aggregates, or to block the cellular response to the defective protein. Plenary talks, selected short talks, and a poster session will provide a forum for interactions among both basic and clinical scientists, as well as established and new investigators in the field.

First NIH Office of Rare Diseases Conference on Cystinosis: Past, Present, and Future

Contact: Marva Moxey-Mims, M.D.
moxey-mimsm@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: May 12–13, 2004

A working group of 25 experts inside and outside the National Institutes of Health, and inside and outside the field of cystinosis, has been assembled to review the current knowledge of cystinosis and to develop ideas about the future basic and clinical research in this disease. Topics discussed will include cystine-depleting therapy, renal disease, renal replacement therapy, nonrenal complications, basic research, and future strategies. The Cystinosis Research Network and Cystinosis Foundation are co-sponsors. Representatives of family groups will attend the conference.

Preparing for a Career in Clinical Research in Kidney and Urologic Diseases

Contact: Aimee Benton, the Hill Group
abenton@thehillgroup.com
Date: July 9–10, 2004

Highly trained clinical researchers are needed to capitalize on the many profound developments and discoveries in the basic sciences and to translate them to clinical settings. Unfortunately, formal training in clinical research is often fragmented, producing a workforce that is unprepared for such tasks. The Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases of NIDDK is sponsoring a 2-day opportunity to learn the skills needed for a successful clinical research career and the skills to effectively compete for research funding. The training program will include state-of-the-art lectures, mentored training sessions on clinical research and study design for kidney and urologic diseases, grant writing, and a mock study section. The goal of the program is to provide a broader knowledge base for participants, so that they compete more effectively for research funding.

NIH Publication No. 04–4531
May 2004