Research Updates in Kidney and Urologic Health

NIDDK To Establish Biotechnology Centers

In September 1999, NIDDK issued a request for applications (RFA) to establish Biotechnology Centers that will provide genomic profiling resources to investigators working in research areas within NIDDK's mission. These centers will make comprehensive gene expression technologies widely available to researchers.

Recent scientific discoveries and technological advances have opened many new avenues of inquiry for researchers seeking causes of and treatments for disease. The Human Genome Project and related efforts have resulted in an explosion of data and potential tools that will aid research in virtually all fields of medicine. Advanced techniques may aid in determining the function of a newly discovered gene or uncovering new biomarkers and therapies for patients with disease. But these techniques require large investments to obtain crucial equipment for utilizing these technologies. Many researchers who could use the new technology to test current hypotheses do not have access to these resources. NIDDK's Biotechnology Centers will make these techniques available to qualified researchers.

Applicants wishing to create and maintain a Biotechnology Center should propose cost-effective ways to measure patterns of gene expression in specific tissues of interest to NIDDK-supported investigators. Techniques may include analysis of cDNA microarrays, oligonucleotide chips, and serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Creation and maintenance of these technologies may require the collaboration of investigators with expertise in many fields, such as molecular biology, robotics, bioinformatics, genomics, and statistics.

NIDDK anticipates that about eight Biotechnology Centers will be funded with $4 million in FY 2000. Applicants should submit a letter of intent by January 14, 2000. Applications are due on February 16, 2000. The NIDDK Biotechnology Centers RFA can be viewed on the World Wide Web at http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/
RFA-DK-00-002.html. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found at
www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/fund.htm.

For more information concerning programmatic issues, contact

Robert A. Star, M.D.
Division of Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases
National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases
45 Center Drive MSC 6600
Bethesda, MD 20892–6600
Telephone: 301–594–7715
Fax: 301–480–3510
E-mail: starr@extra.niddk.nih.gov

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Meeting Reports

International Prostatitis Collaborative Network

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) and the American Prostatitis Foundation sponsored the second annual meeting of the International Prostatitis Collaborative Network last November. Scientists, clinicians, industry representatives, and concerned patients from around the world gathered in Bethesda, Maryland, to participate in panel discussions, to hear presentations, and to view posters on the etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and basic science of chronic prostatitis.

Women and Renal Disease

This past September, NIDDK held a workshop on Women and Renal Disease, cosponsored by the Office of Research on Women's Health and Women in Nephrology. The goals of the meeting were to review the status of the basic studies and epidemiologic data pertaining to the biology of renal disease in women, and to identify research opportunities and plan the course of new directions in clinical and basic research in this area. Specific topics addressed in the talks included developments in the basic biology of estrogen and progesterone action, mechanisms underlying differences between progression of renal disease in women and men, mechanisms underlying early menopause in women with renal disease, hormone replacement therapy in women with renal disease, and issues regarding fertility in women with chronic renal disease. A poster session allowed participants to present current research on basic science and clinical findings regarding women and renal disease. Breakout sessions provided participants with the opportunity to propose and critically review ideas for research imperatives.

Epidemiology of Chronic Renal Insufficiency

Another September workshop sponsored by NIDDK was on the Epidemiology of Chronic Renal Insufficiency. This workshop explored risk factors for the progression of chronic renal disease and the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal insufficiency. The emphasis was on identifying the important features of a prospective cohort study of chronic renal insufficiency patients. Breakout sessions covered recruitment and retention of patients, outcome measures and risk factors for progression of chronic renal disease and cardiovascular disease, and the use of other epidemiological studies to learn more about patients with chronic renal insufficiency.

Membrane Transport

In December 1999, DKUHD-NIDDK sponsored a workshop on Advances in Membrane Transport: Lessons from Model Organisms. The workshop gave physiologists studying mammalian membrane transport an opportunity to learn about simpler organisms that are very useful from a genetic aspect. In addition, the physiologists heard from some of the investigators currently studying membrane transport processes in these simpler organisms. Some of the model organism systems discussed were bacteria (E. coli), yeast (S. cerevisiae), and roundworms (C. elegans). Another objective of the workshop was to introduce experimental techniques, opportunities, and currently perceived constraints on the use of these simple systems for the study of mammalian membrane transport proteins and processes and their regulation.

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Kidney Disease Research Priorities: Improving the Management of Kidney Disease

Progress and Priorities: Renal Disease Research Plan has been released by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the Council of American Kidney Societies. The strategic plan reflects the consensus of more than 100 researchers, members of kidney societies, and patients on research needs, advancement opportunities, and barriers to progress.

Kidney failure caused by diabetes, hypertension, and other diseases is a major and growing health problem that is expensive to treat. There is no cure for kidney disease, but for many, progression to kidney failure may be slowed if the disease is diagnosed and managed early. Yet relatively few management strategies exist. Scientists are studying many aspects of kidney disease, but until recently the kidney research community had not agreed on issues of highest priority, making collaborations and resource allocation more difficult.

In December 1998 and February 1999, the American Society of Nephrology held strategic planning meetings in Washington, DC, to remedy this problem. The resulting Progress and Priorities: Renal Disease Research Plan aims to improve the treatment and prevention of kidney disease and kidney failure.

To learn more, read the full report at www.niddk.nih.gov/fund/reports/wholeRDRC.pdf or use the online catalog to request a copy.

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Upcoming Meetings

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