January 11, 2008

Welcome to the University of Michigan Medical School E-News, your source for quick and current news from the medical school community.

Attend Dean Woolliscroft's office hours program
Since beginning the "office hours" program, Dean Woolliscroft has met informally with many faculty, staff and students who have provided him with valuable comments and suggestions on how to enhance our efforts and make a great school even better. Below are the days, times and locations for office hours in the coming month. Faculty, staff and students are invited to stop by with their creative ideas and innovative solutions:

• Thursday, Jan. 17 at 4 p.m. in 2302 Towsley
  
• Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 9:30 a.m. in 3813 Med Sci II
  

Jan. 15: Medical School Winter Faculty Meeting
All Medical School faculty are invited to attend the Winter Faculty meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Dow Auditorium, Towsley Center. A wine and cheese reception will follow. Margaret Gyetko, M.D., associate dean for faculty, will give a presentation on Promotion & Tenure at the University of Michigan: Strategies for Success.

Video podcast featuring Dr. Haig online now
Learn about how Andrew Haig is partnering with the Liberian government to tackle problems of disability in that country. Dr. Haig, professor in our Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, is featured in this month's Global Challenge video podcast, http://www.med.umich.edu/medschool/dean/vodcasts.htm

Presentation on "The Future of Big Pharma R&D: Moving from FIPCO to FIPNET"
This special BioArbor presentation will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 5 - 7 p.m. (5 p.m. - Networking / 6 p.m. - Program) in the Biomedical Science Research Building Atrium and Seminar Rooms A/B/C. August Watanabe, M.D., former President of Lilly Research Laboratories, will discuss how and why biotechnology companies do more efficient drug discovery than large pharmaceutical companies and the future in which Fully Integrated Pharmaceutical Companies (FIPCO) will evolve into Fully Integrated Pharmaceutical Networks (FIPNET) of biotech and academic partners to assist with key aspects of the discovery process. Dr. Watanabe will cite examples from start-up biotechs he is involved in as well as other innovative pharma-academic alliances. Complimentary admission. To register, e-mail ORGSTechTransfer@umich.edu

U-M Medicinal Chemistry Core Synthesis Laboratory
The University of Michigan Medicinal Chemistry Core Synthesis Laboratory (MCCSL) is an on-campus facility that designs and synthesizes drug-like molecules and diagnostic probes for biomedical investigations. The center is staffed with individuals having more than 100 years collective experience in the pharmaceutical industry. MCCSL’s capabilities include organic synthesis, design of molecular probes and drug-like molecules, analysis of structure-activity relationships (SAR), triage of high throughput screening (HTS) data for the selection and follow-up of promising leads, improvement of ADMET (Absorption,
Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, Toxicity) properties of lead compounds, structure and ligand-based computational methods, and patentability of chemical matter. Contact Hollis Showalter, Ph.D., director at 734-764-5504 or Scott Larsen, Ph.D., co-director at 734-323-1187 for further information or to discuss a collaborative arrangement.

Genetics and Genomics Pilot Feasibility Program Announcement
Deadline: Monday, Feb. 18
Co-sponsored by the Endowment for the Basic Sciences and the Center for Genetics in Health and Medicine. The application deadline is Monday, Feb. 18.

Awards are for one year and will not exceed $50,000. The purpose of this Pilot Feasibility Program is to encourage proposals that foster new collaborations on campus between members of the University of Michigan faculty from distinct disciplines to focus their combined research strengths on cutting-edge questions in genetics and genomics. In addition, we seek to provide supporting funds for new research projects that utilize high throughout genetic analysis tools including DNA Sequencing, a newly acquired Illumina Bead Station 500GX, an Illumina 1G Genome Analyzer (formerly Solexa), a Roche 454-FLX Genome Sequencer and array scanning technology. For more information, visit the Web site.

Cancer Research Funds Available
a. Research Grants are available for any investigator for his/her cancer-related research, or for any interesting and innovative collaboration between scientists. The total amount requested must not exceed $35,000.

b. Idea Grants are available for any investigator who has a novel and innovative idea for cancer research. Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the proposed studies are not required. Funding for the IDEA grants will not exceed $25,000.

c. *NEW* Collaborative research proposals on novel investigations in the area of cancer immunology and/or host response. Funds are available in this Special RFP to support collaborative research proposals that will focus on novel investigations in the area of cancer immunology and/or host response. Funding will not exceed $50,000.

For more specific details and guidelines, visit the Web site.

Calendar sale - support medical student humanitarian efforts abroad
This year, 84 students will be conducting humanitarian projects in Belize, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Guatemala, Jamaica and Peru. Your support for these projects will help reduce the financial burden on the students who give their time to improving our world. These projects include working with HIV/AIDS patients, teaching hygiene classes, providing basic health care and many others. All of the proceeds of this calendar will support these humanitarian projects. Calendar sales will occur in the Towsley Link Jan. 11, 14 and 28.

Biomedical News Online - January 2008
The Biomedical News is available online for immediate viewing. The January 2008 issue contains information on: the 2007 Dean's Awards recipients, 2007 highlights from IRBMED, AAALAC reviewing UM’s animal care and use, Bhavnani and team winning AMIA Distinguished Paper Award, updates from Washington, educational opportunities, various funding and award opportunities, and UMMS awarded grants and research publications.

Policies - What's New: Domestic Violence Care
The Domestic Violence Care, Policy 02-05-011, and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Identification, Assessment and Care, Policy 02-05-012 have both been revised to add more clarity in the documentation process and in identifying the appropriate authorities to contact in the event of abuse.

IRBMED Workshops
IRB Regulations 101
2:45 - 4:45 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 23
This workshop covers investigator and IRB responsibilities stemming from federal regulations for human subjects research. We review the different stages of research, from initial idea to final data analysis, and when researchers must contact an IRB during those stages.

Applications 101
2:45 - 4:45., Wednesday, Jan. 30
This workshop covers basic information about when and how to submit a new human research project to IRBMED for initial review using eResearch. It is primarily designed for research faculty and staff who are new to the IRBMED and to eResearch.

For further information or to register, visit the Web site.

Life Sciences Orchestra Concert Jan. 12
Join the U-M Life Sciences Orchestra for the first concert in its eighth season of combining music and medicine.

On Saturday, Jan. 12, at 8 p.m., the LSO will take the stage of Hill Auditorium for a free performance that is open to all, no tickets necessary.

The concert will open with remarks by Tony Denton and Beethoven's Egmont Overture, followed by a movement from the Symphonie Espagnole by Edouard Lalo, featuring Trina Stoneham on violin. Ms. Stoneham, a Pathology staff member, is the winner of the 2007 LSO Concerto Competition.

The concert will conclude with a performance of The Planets by Gustav Holst, a suite widely known for the fierce "Mars" and the sprightly "Jupiter" movements. The final movement will feature members of the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers.

The LSO is made up of physicians, scientists, students, staff, alumni and volunteers from the U-M medical, health and science community, under the baton of Clinton Smith. The LSO is part of Gifts of Art.

Let senior managers serve you Jan. 16
Please join colleagues during the Second Annual Pancake Breakfast or first ever Buffet Dinner for Health System faculty and staff hosted by Doug Strong and the Senior Management Team on Wednesday, Jan. 16 from 6:30 - 9 a.m. or 6 - 8 p.m., in UH Cafeteria. This is an opportunity for you to get to know members of UMHS leadership better and for tem to get to know you better. If you are unable to attend, don't worry! There will be other planned occasions to meet and talk to each other.

Get Active U & Get Away! Registration now open for Active U 2008
Are you ready to take that first step toward becoming more active? Or, do you want to take your current fitness routine to the next level? Then become a part of MHealthy's Active U 2008, the eight-week physical activity challenge designed for every fitness level. Join individually or as part of a team.

This year's program is better than ever. Not only do participants get free access to U-M rec centers during the eight-weeks but there will also be weekly drawings for such prizes as iPods, gift certificates to local retailers and free gym memberships and personal training sessions. A grand prize drawing will award one lucky winner a $500 travel voucher! So don't just think about fitness - Get Active U! To register, visit www.MHealthy.umich.edu.

U-M Makes the News!
M-News Now is a Web page with timely information about members of the UMHS community who are in the news. See who is being interviewed or where their comments are being published at M-News Now!
Jan. 8
--Dr. Fendrick on CBS Radio, Bloomberg newswire

Jan. 5
--Record-breaking fundraising results featured in Free Press

Jan. 3
--Cardiac arrest study on front page of NY Times
--Dr. Saint on CBS radio nationwide

News Releases and Health Minute
For medical press releases and the details behind the headlines, visit http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/relarch.cfm

Next Week's Health Minute
Tips to get into shape without leaving the house

Medical School FAQs
Not sure where to get your questions pertaining to the U-M Medical School answered? The FAQ page links to a variety of resources on such things as information and support, educational programs, research and policy information. The site also lists some useful U-M resources.

Weekly Joint Commission Quizlette
This week’s step toward continuous readiness: Test your knowledge of the 2008 National Patient Safety Goals and Requirements

1.  Which of the following National Patient Safety Goals is new for 2008?

A. Improve the safety of using medications
B. Encourage patients’ active involvement in their own care as a patient safety strategy
C. Improve the accuracy of patient identification
D. Improve recognition and response to changes in a patient’s condition
E. Accurately and completely reconcile medications across the continuum of care

2. In 2008, reducing the likelihood of patient harm associated with the use of anticoagulation therapy will become a National Patient Safety Goal requirement.

A. TRUE
B. FALSE

3. The Universal Protocol has no connection to the National Patient Safety Goals.

A. TRUE
B. FALSE

Answers

Seminars, lectures, colloquia and events for next week