Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Planning a Research Career in Urology

Organizers: Dr. Leroy Nyberg
and Dr. Robert Star
starr@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Winter 2001–2002

The goals of this workshop are to provide (1) insights into developing a career in basic and clinical research into urologic diseases, (2) hands-on experience in preparing clinical and basic research grant applications, and (3) a practical introduction to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants process. The workshop format will include interactive lectures from experts and individualized breakout sessions for practical application. Areas of emphasis are as follows:

• funding mechanisms most applicable to beginning investigators
  
  
• scientific method
  
  
• successful NIH grants
  
  
• grantsmanship—what it is and how to perfect it
  
  
• NIH review and funding process
  
  
• revised applications—how to prepare and submit them
  
  
• networking, visibility, and quality publications—why they are necessary
  
  
• successful competitive renewal applications
  
  

Workshop on Erythroid Lineage Genomics

Organizer: Dr. Terry Bishop
bishopt@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Winter 2001–2002

The goals of this 2-day workshop are as follows:

• assess the current knowledge of gene expression in cells committed to erythroid differentiation
  
  
• discuss tactics for merging the fields of computational biology with erythroid cell physiology
  
  
• develop a research plan that will integrate functional genomics, microarray technology, proteomics, and bioinformatics with the molecular genetics and biochemistry of erythroid lineage cells at various stages of differentiation
  
  

Various experts will discuss the following issues:

• genes regulating hemoglobin production, membrane structure, and metabolism of erythroid cells
  
  
• changing gene expression patterns during erythropoiesis
  
  
• growth factors required for erythropoiesis and their interaction with receptors
  
  
• exploration of the genome for erythroid-specific expressed genes
  
  
• tissue-specific databases—their development and maintenance
  
  
• state-of-the-art techniques for analyzing the function of the genome
  
  
• systems biology
  
  

Symposium for Principal Investigator Recipients of K Awards

Organizer: Dr. Terry Bishop
bishopt@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: May 2002

The KUH is planning a symposium for current recipients of career development grants, known as K Awards. Principal investigators will be given the opportunity to meet other K Award recipients, discuss their research, initiate collaborations, and meet KUH program staff. The symposium will be held at the Airlee Conference Center in Warrenton, VA.

Urinary Reflux and Obstructive Uropathy in Children

Organizer: Dr. Leroy Nyberg
nybergl@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Spring 2002

This conference aims to provide an up-to-date overview of basic and clinical knowledge of urinary reflux and obstructive uropathy in children, to determine areas where additional basic and clinical research is needed, and to develop a research plan. To accomplish these goals, introductory plenary sessions and topic-specific breakout groups will address the following:

• epidemiology
  
  
• genetics
  
  
• accuracy and effectiveness of diagnostic techniques
  
  
• classification and grading
  
  
• treatment strategies and outcomes
  
  
• prognosis
  
  
• effects on adult bladder function
  
  
• animal models
  
  

Proteinuria and Other Markers of Progression of Kidney Disease

Organizer: Dr. Thomas Hostetter
hostettert@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Spring 2002

Total protein or albumin excretion rates are currently the best markers of progressive renal disease, short of measurements of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and its related parameters such as serum creatinine. However, changes in GFR and associated measures are slow to occur 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.

Progress in Polycystic Kidney Disease

Organizer: Dr. Gladys Hirschman
hirschmang@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Spring 2002

The purpose of this symposium is to identify new priorities for research in polycystic kidney disease. Panels of experts will examine the

• molecular mechanisms for disease progression
  
  
• progress in polycystic kidney disease imaging and utilization as a marker in disease outcome
  
  
• role of the renal angiotensin system in the progression of polycystic kidney disease
  
  
• progress in understanding the mechanism of recessive polycystic kidney disease
  
  

Genetics of Complex Traits—Application to Common Urologic Disorders

Organizer: Dr. Leroy Nyberg
nybergl@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: Summer 2002

The symposium will provide an expert overview of the genetics of complex traits, discuss the application of this knowledge to relevant urologic disorders, and develop a research agenda. Panels of experts will discuss

• molecular genetics (animal and human studies)
  
  
• examples of the application of genetics to common diseases with complex traits
  
  
• urologic diseases or disorders where studies would be applicable
  
  

Symposium participants will develop a research strategy, including applicable basic and clinical research specialties.

Preparing for a Clinical Research Career in Nephrology

Organizer: Dr. Robert Star
starr@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: September 2002

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 unprepared for such tasks. This 2 1/2-day conference, cosponsored by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Society of Nephrology, is an opportunity to learn the skills needed to establish 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 trial design, and a mock study section using outcomes research as an example. Attendees will be expected to participate in a journal club, to design a clinical trial, and to review applications for clinical trials in a mock study section meeting.

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

Organizers: Dr. John Kusek
and Dr. Lawrence Agodoa
kusekj@ep.niddk.nih.gov
Date: September 2002

This 2-day workshop will assess the current state of knowledge about the best techniques to recruit minority and disadvantaged populations into clinical research studies. It will also identify areas for future research. Of particular importance will be the delineation of 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 high yield of participants, and barriers associated with participation. The studies examined will represent a wide range of diseases, include different ethnic and racial minority 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.

Preparing for a Research Career in Bench and Translational Nephrology

Organizers: Dr. Robert Star
and Dr. Terry Bishop
starr@extra.niddk.nih.gov
Date: September 2002

Physician-investigators bring to nonclinical research the goal of understanding fundamental mechanisms underlying disease; hence, they are indispensable to progress in understanding diseases and developing therapies. However, according to a study by the American Medical Association, the number of physician-scientists interested in bench research dropped precipitously between 1984 and 1999, from 23,214 (4.2 percent of all licensed physicians) to 14,357 (1.8 percent). In addition, those physicians who do go into bench and translational research often receive incomplete training. The goals of this workshop are to attract new investigators to nephrology and to improve the training of program participants so they can capitalize on the many profound developments and discoveries in fundamental science, translate these discoveries into clinical settings, and more effectively compete for research funding. Workshop topics will include

• criteria for choosing a mentor
  
  
• criteria for choosing a research topic
  
  
• new technological advances
  
  
• translational approaches in nephrology
  
  

Participants will design a research plan and evaluate grants in a mock study section.

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