Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Genetic Modifiers of Mendelian Diseases

Organizer: Dr. David Badman
badmand@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: September 9–10, 2002

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) will bring together investigators to discuss recent advances in identifying genetic modifiers, other genes that affect the development or course of a disease that is caused by a defect in a known gene. A major focus will be on describing the variety of methods and technologies that may be used to identify these modifiers. The meeting will include a keynote address, plenary talks, and a poster session. The presentations and discussions will help NIDDK plan its research agenda for genetic diseases within its mission. Speakers will include David Woo, Ph.D., of UCLA, and Sir David Weatherall of Oxford University, England. This meeting is being cosponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Rare Diseases. Additional information is available at www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/genetic/gmmt/index.htm on the NIDDK website.

Hepatitis C and Renal Disease

Organizer: Dr. Catherine Meyers
meyersc@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: October 21–22, 2002

Hepatitis C infection, the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the United States, is particularly common in patients with chronic renal disease. Furthermore, in some patients with no preexisting renal disease, hepatitis C infection can induce an inflammatory glomerular lesion that can lead to chronic renal impairment. Hepatitis C is particularly difficult to treat in patients with coexisting renal insufficiency because the therapy may exacerbate renal disease or complicate management of dialysis or kidney transplantation. In view of these important clinical issues, the NIDDK's Divisions of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases (KUH) and Digestive Diseases and Nutrition (DDN) have organized a 1½-day workshop on Hepatitis C and Renal Disease. Clinical and basic investigators in hepatitis C virology, chronic hepatitis C, cryoglobulinemia, hepatitis C-related glomerular disease, chronic dialysis therapy, and transplantation will review current knowledge on these issues and prepare overall recommendations for research needs to address the management of hepatitis C in patients with renal disease.

Preparing for a Clinical Research Career in Urology

Organizer: Dr. Leroy Nyberg
nybergl@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: November 17–19, 2002

The NIDDK is sponsoring a 2½-day training workshop for postresidency fellows and junior faculty members in either urology or urogynecology. The workshop will focus on building the skills needed for a successful clinical research career in urology. Types of research studies to be discussed include pilot studies, individual and multicenter clinical trials, epidemiologic studies, database development, and translational studies. Using examples from urinary incontinence, benign prostatic hyperplasia, erectile dysfunction, and pediatric urology, this interactive workshop will hone participants' skills as they design mock clinical trials. State-of-the-science lectures, mentored training sessions in trial design, and useful "how-to" presentations are also featured. Additional information is available at www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/other/urology on the NIDDK website.

Preparing for a Career in Clinical and Genetic Research in Nephrology

Organizer: Dr. Robert Star
starr@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: December 1–3, 2002

Highly trained clinical researchers are needed to capitalize on the many profound developments and discoveries in the basic sciences and to translate them for clinical settings. Unfortunately, formal training in clinical research is often fragmented, producing a workforce unprepared for such tasks. The NIDDK is sponsoring the third annual workshop on Preparing for a Career in Clinical and Genetic Research in Nephrology, a 2½-day opportunity to learn the skills needed to have a successful clinical research career and 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, paper and grant writing, and a mock study section.

Proteinuria and Other Markers of Progression of Kidney Disease

Organizer: Dr. Thomas Hostetter
hostettert@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: 2003

Total protein or albumin excretion rates are currently the best markers for progressive renal disease, other than measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and related parameters such as serum creatinine. Since changes in GFR and associated measures occur slowly and can be expensive to determine, better markers of disease progression are needed to facilitate trials of new therapies. Topics of interest for this conference include the following:

• relation of proteinuria to disease progression and therapy
• value of newer GFR markers such as cystatin
• status of biomarkers such as TGF-beta
• prospects for broad proteomic or mRNA screens

The perspectives of pathophysiologists, clinical trial experts, the Food and Drug Administration, and industry will be solicited. Also, knowledge about newer techniques as applied to other diseases, such as pattern scanning for serum proteins in cancer screening, will be sought.

Trans-NIH Workshop on Recruitment of Minority and Disadvantaged Populations Into Clinical Research Studies

Organizers: Dr. John Kusek and Dr. Lawrence Agodoa
kusekj@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: 2003

This 2-day workshop will assess the current state of knowledge about the best techniques for recruiting minority and disadvantaged populations into clinical research studies. It will also identify areas for future research. Of particular importance will be delineating a research agenda using ongoing or soon-to-be implemented clinical trials and other clinical research studies. Completed and ongoing clinical research studies, including randomized clinical trials, will be examined for information on recruitment rates, techniques producing a large number of participants, and barriers to participation. The studies examined will represent a wide range of diseases, include different ethnic and racial populations, and encompass groups that may be considered to have a major barrier to enrollment. Breakout sessions will discuss selected topics, and on the final day, participants will review the research agenda.

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