NIDCR

1. Response Requested: NIDCR Requests Input on a Proposed Research Initiative

   NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) requests your input on the proposed concept (research initiative) presented at the January 2024 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The initiative is listed below. To read the full description and provide input, please visit: NIDCR Requests Input on January 2024 Proposed Research Initiative Initiative:  Reissuance of NIDCR Small Grant Program for New Investigators (R03) The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. Proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about each concept’s merit from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large. Please note that this initiative is not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year, nor does it signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. This proposed initiative will be integrated into this larger landscape as it is considered for a future notice of funding opportunity (NOFO). Comments are due by March 8, 2024. Thank you for your input.   Sincerely, Rena D'Souza, D.D.S, M.S., Ph.D. Director National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

2. Response Requested: NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives

   NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) requests your input on proposed concepts (research initiatives) presented at the September 2023 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The initiatives are listed below. To read the full description and provide input, please visit: NIDCR Requests Input on FY2024 Proposed Research Initiatives   Initiatives:  Accelerating Product Excellence in Innovation and for Clinical Adoption (APEx) Advancing HIV/AIDS and Oral Health Research Bacteriophage Therapy: Tipping the Balance to Oral Health Community-Based Participatory Research Consortium: Advancing DAta and Practice Transformation (ADAPT) for Caries Equity Determining the Tri-directional Relationship Between Oral Health, Nutrition, and Comprehensive Health NIDCR Mentoring Networks for Underrepresented and Early-Career Investigators (Reissue) Organs-on-a-Chip in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (DOC-OoCs)   The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. Proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about each concept’s merit from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large.   Please note that these initiatives are not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year indicated, nor do they signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. The proposed FY 2024 initiatives will be integrated into this larger landscape as they are considered for funding opportunity announcements.   Comments are due by November 13, 2023.   Thank you for your input.   Sincerely, Rena D'Souza, D.D.S, M.S., Ph.D. Director National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

3. You're Invited: Celebrating 25 Years of NIDCR Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome Research

   Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright Syndrome: Celebrating 25 Years of NIDCR Research Join us for a symposium to celebrate NIDCR’s 25-year legacy of research to understand and treat fibrous dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome (FD/MAS). Event Details Date:September 11, 2023                                       Time: 9:00 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. EDT Location:Lipsett Amphitheater, Building 10, NIH campus, Bethesda, Maryland. Following the symposium, a reception and historical poster session will be held on the FAES Terrace, Building 10. How to Join:This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. You may attend in person or join via videocast. Featured Speakers: Nobel Laureate in Chemistry Brian Kobilka, Former NIDDK Director Allen Spiegel, FD/MAS scientific leaders, patients, patient advocates, and NIDCR Director Rena D’Souza For more information, including a detailed agenda, visit the event page. In collaboration with the FD/MAS Alliance and the International Consortium for FD/MAS. This symposium is part of NIDCR’s yearlong slate of anniversary-related events.For a full listing of activities, visit our75th anniversary webpage. Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. Back to top

4. Reminder! NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future 

   Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future  Join us in kicking off NIDCR's 75th anniversary with a symposium that will feature keynote speaker and University of Michigan Provost Dr. Laurie McCauley, Acting NIH Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak, former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins, and more. Event Details Date:June 27, 2023                                                            Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT  Location:Lipsett Amphitheater, Building 10, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland   How to Join:This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. You may attend in person or join viavideocast.  The symposium will cover the institute’s vital contributions to the biomedical research enterprise, highlight the state of the science, include remarks from professional society partners, and feature conversations among federal partners and NIDCR leadership about the critical role of collaboration for achieving oral health for all. For more information, including a full list of speakers and a link to the videocast, visit the event webpage. Keynote Speaker Laurie McCauley, D.D.S., Ph.D. William K and Mary Anne Najjar Professor Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs University of Michigan Featured Speakers Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D. Acting Director NIH Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Former Director, NIH NIH Rena N. D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S.   Director   NIDCR, NIH Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, D.D.S., Ph.D. Deputy Director NIDCR, NIH More Information For a full listing of anniversary-related events and activities, visit our75th anniversary webpage.  Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. Back to top

5. NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future 

   Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NIDCR at 75: Celebrating the Past, Charting the Future  Join us in kicking off NIDCR’s 75th anniversary with a symposium featuring speakers that include Acting NIH Director Dr. Lawrence Tabak and former NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins. Event Details Date:June 27, 2023                                                            Time: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. EDT  Location:Lipsett Amphitheater, Building 10, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland   How to Join:This event is free and open to the public; no registration is required. You may attend in person or join viavideocast.  The symposium will cover the institute’s vital contributions to the biomedical research enterprise, highlight the state of the science, include remarks from professional society partners, and feature conversations among federal partners and NIDCR leadership about the critical role of collaboration for achieving oral health for all. For more information, including a full list of speakers and a link to the videocast, visit the event webpage. Featured Speakers Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D. Acting Director NIH Francis Collins, M.D., Ph.D. Former Director, NIH NIH Rena N. D’Souza, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S.   Director   NIDCR, NIH Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, D.D.S., Ph.D. Deputy Director NIDCR, NIH More Information For a full listing of anniversary-related events and activities, visit our75th anniversary webpage.  Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. Back to top

6. NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives

   NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) requests your input on a proposed concept (research initiative) presented at the May 2023 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The initiative is listed below. To read the full initiative description and provide input, please visit: NIDCR Requests Input on FY2024 Proposed Research Initiative   Initiative:  Renewal of NIDCR FaceBase Program   The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. Proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about a concept’s merit from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large.   Please note that this initiative is not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year indicated, nor does it signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. The proposed FY 2024 initiative will be integrated into this larger landscape as it is considered for funding opportunity announcements.   Comments are due by June 30, 2023.   Thank you for your input.   Sincerely, Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, D.D.S, Ph.D. Deputy Director National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

7. NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives

   NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) requests your input on a proposed concept (research initiative) presented at the January 2023 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The initiative is listed below. To read the full initiative description and provide input, please visit: NIDCR Requests Input on FY2024 Proposed Research Initiatives   Initiative:  Reissuance of NIDCR Prospective Observational or Biomarker Validation Study Cooperative Agreement   The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. Proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about a concept’s merit from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large.   Please note that this initiative is not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year indicated, nor does it signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. The proposed FY 2024 initiative will be integrated into this larger landscape as it is considered for funding opportunity announcements.   Comments are due by March 15, 2023.   Thank you for your input.   Sincerely, Rena D'Souza, D.D.S, M.S., Ph.D. Director National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

8. NIDCR Science News

   Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees Creepy Crawlies on the Teeth “Walking” bacterial-fungal clusters rapidly spread dental plaque NIDCR • October 31, 2022 Shaping the Nation's Smiles Meet NIDCR’s newest dental public health fellows NIDCR • October 24, 2022 Microbes that Cause Cavities Can Form Superorganisms Able To ‘Crawl’ and Spread on Teeth University of Pennsylvania • October 4, 2022 Gel Treats Gum Disease by Fighting Inflammation New York University • September 20, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

9. NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives

   NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) requests your input on six proposed concepts (research initiatives) presented at the September 2022 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The six initiatives are listed below. To read the full initiative descriptions and provide input, please visit:NIDCR Requests Input on FY 2023 Proposed Research Initiatives   Initiatives: Collaborative Science to Achieve Disruptive Innovations in Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial (DOC) Research Maternal Health and Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Health and Development of Their Offspring Understanding Persistent Oral Human Papillomavirus and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infection and Its Role with Oropharyngeal Cancer Induction Chronic Inflammation of the Oral Cavity An Agent for Oral Mucosal Disease Developing Salivary Components as Therapeutics for Oral Health Apply Data Science in Translational Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research   The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. These proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about a concept’s merit, from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large.   Please note that initiatives are not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year indicated, nor do they signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. Proposed FY 2023 initiatives will be integrated into this larger landscape as they are considered for funding opportunity announcements.   We look forward to your commentary and thoughtfully consider your views.   Comments are due by November 7, 2022.   Thank you, Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD Deputy Director National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

10. Tiny "robots" scrub teeth

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Researchers Call in a Swarm of Tiny, Tooth-Scrubbing Robots Magnetic nanoparticles scrape plaque off model teeth NIDCR • September 14, 2022 New Study Presents the First Data-Driven Model of Cranial Bone Development in Children University of Colorado • August 17, 2022 Penn Dental Medicine Study Applies Microrobotics in Endodontic Treatment, Diagnostics  University of Pennsylvania • August 5, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

11. Sound reduces pain | Inflammation curbs chronic pain | Norovirus spreads via saliva

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Inflammation May Curb, Not Cause, Chronic Pain Study offers clues for preventing chronic back & jaw pain NIDCR • July 26, 2022 How Sound Reduces Pain in Mice Newly identified brain circuits may point to more effective pain therapies NIDCR • July 7, 2022 'Stomach Viruses' Can Spread Through Saliva Norovirus and others grow in salivary glands NHLBI • June 29, 2022 Deconstructing the Mechanics of Bone Marrow Disease Wyss Institute  • July 11, 2022 Shapeshifting Microrobots Can Brush and Floss Teeth University of Pennsylvania • July 5, 2022 First US Study Analyzing Tooth Survival After Root Canal in General Population Regenstrief Institute • May 17, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

12. ICYMI: Leap into Action for Oral Health Webinar

    NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact An overview of NIDCR’s research & training priorities Thank you for your interest in the Leap into Action for Oral Health! webinar—a discussion on realizing NIDCR’s strategic priorities through the lens of the Oral Health in America report. In the webinar, NIDCR leaders provided an overview of the institute’s ongoing and upcoming research and training opportunities to nearly 400 participants. In case you missed the event or would like to access it again, you can find a link to the recording below. Webinar recording

13. Taste nerve reveals SARS-CoV-2 Entryways

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Taste Nerve Reveals SARS-CoV-2 Entryways Viral 'entry factors' found in human nerves NIDCR • May 19, 2022 How One Inflammatory Disorder Exacerbates Another University of Pennsylvania • April 27, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

14. REGISTRATION OPEN: Leap into Action for Oral Health – Tue May 10, 3pm ET - NIDCR Online Event

    NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Leap into Action for Oral Health! Registration now open for this one-hour online event:   Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 3:00 PM ET Register Here Realizing NIDCR's strategic priorities - through the lens of the Oral Health in America report - to meet the need for improved oral and overall health, through dental, oral and craniofacial research. You will learn about: The diversity of ongoing research Funding opportunities, areas of focus, and research training How you can help move the field forward Registration details can be found here: https://www.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_C1Ik4YDPQ9K-OpQAH9OtJw. For more information about this free online event, contact us at nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov.

15. SAVE THE DATE: Leap into Action for Oral Health – Tue May 10, 3pm ET - NIDCR Online Event

    NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Leap into Action for Oral Health! Mark your calendars for this one-hour online event:   Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 3:00 PM ET Realizing NIDCR's strategic priorities - through the lens of the Oral Health in America report - to meet the need for improved oral and overall health, through dental, oral and craniofacial research. You will learn about: The diversity of ongoing research Funding opportunities, areas of focus, and research training How you can help move the field forward Registration details to come soon. For more information about this free online event, contact us at nidcrinfo@mail.nih.gov.

16. Facial pain comes to light

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Facial Pain Comes to Light Glowing neurons offer insight into safer pain relief NIDCR • April 21, 2022 Newly Identified Cell Type Could Be the Key to Restoring Damaged Salivary Glands Scripps Research Institute • April 12, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

17. The Gut's Role in Oral Health

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. The Gut's Role in Oral Bone Health Gut bacteria trigger loss of tooth-supporting bone in mice NIDCR • April 12, 2022 To Fluoride or Not to Fluoride: Mixed Messages Complicate Oral Health Choices for Appalachian Moms University of PIttsburgh • April 11, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

18. Disparities in Dental Care | Restoring Saliva | Vaping & Mouth Microbes

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Equalizing Access to Dental Care Disparities were reduced after public insurance expansions NIDCR • March 21, 2022 Restoring the Flow of Precious Saliva NIDCR researchers aim to regenerate damaged salivary glands NIH I Am Intramural Blog • March 18, 2022 Vaping Alters Mouth Microbes People who used e-cigarettes had unique microbial communities NIH Research Matters • March 15, 2022 Itching for Answers NIDCR scientists search for the molecules that make us itch The NIH Catalyst •March-April 2022 STAY CONNECTED

19. NIDCR Requests Input on Proposed Research Initiatives

    NIDCR Home   |   Careers   |   Contact Announcements NIDCR requests your input on three proposed concepts (research initiatives) presented at the January 2022 National Advisory Dental and Craniofacial Research Council meeting. The three initiatives are listed below. To read the full initiative descriptions and provide input, please visit:NIDCR Requests Input on FY 2023 Proposed Research Initiatives   Initiatives: Reissuance of NIDCR Small Research Grants for Oral Health Data Analysis and Statistical Methodology Development (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) AHEAD (Advancement of Head and Neck Cancer Early Detection Research) TMD Collaborative for IMproving PAtient-Centered Translational Research (TMD IMPACT)   The Concept Clearance Process NIDCR supports research in significant as well as understudied areas of science, identifying broad research topic areas or themes that are developed into concepts. These concepts represent the early planning stages of research initiatives. These proposed research initiatives communicate future research goals to NIH, the Department of Health and Human Services, Congress, and the public. NIDCR invites input about a concept’s merit, from research and clinical practice communities, industry, interested organizations, and the public at large.   Please note that initiatives are not a complete picture of the Institute’s planned research portfolio for the year indicated, nor do they signal that themes highlighted during a previous year have been abandoned. Proposed FY 2023 initiatives will be integrated into this larger landscape as they are considered for funding opportunity announcements.   Comments are due by April 14, 2022.   Thank you for your input.

20. Your mouth on a chip: A new lens on oral biology

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Your Mouth on a Chip Cell-loaded microchips offer a lens into human biology NIDCR • March 7, 2022 Evidence Grows for Vaping’s Role in Gum Disease New York University  • February 22, 2022 Study Reveals How Migraine Pain Signals Are Generated—and Blocked New York University  • February 3, 2022 STAY CONNECTED

21. NIDCR's Spring 2022 E-Newsletter

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NIDCR's Spring 2022 E-Newsletter In this issue: NIDCR News Funding Opportunities & Related Notices NIH/HHS News Subscribe to NIDCR News Science Advances   NIDCR News NIH & NIDCR Release “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges” In December, NIDCR announced the release of a report that provides a comprehensive snapshot of oral health in America, detailing 20 years of advances and challenges and drawing on data from public research and evidence-based practices. For more on the report, including a video message from the NIDCR director, monthly report snapshots, and more, visit NIDCR’s Oral Health in America webpage. D’Souza & NIH, HHS Leaders Call for Action on Oral Health Inequities Drawing on findings and recommendations from Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges, NIDCR Director Rena D’Souza, DDS, PhD, Science Advisor to the President and former NIH Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, and US Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, MD, MBA, write in a recent New England Journal of MedicinePerspective that addressing oral health disparities will require changes that include a better understanding of the intersection of oral, overall, and mental health, as well as efforts to make oral health care accessible and affordable for all Americans. 2022 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting & Exhibition From March 21 to 26, NIDCR leadership, program staff, investigators, and trainees will be attending the 2022 AADOCR/CADR Annual Meeting, a hybrid event held virtually and in person in Atlanta, Georgia. Attendees are welcome to make an appointment to meet one-on-one with NIDCR program officers and other staff. To learn more about NIDCR-sponsored symposia and other events, access the schedule on NIDCR’s websiteor follow @NIDCR on Twitter. Boldly Forward: NIDCR Charts Five-Year Course NIDCR has released a new strategic plan outlining its research and training priorities for the next five years. The plan aims to advance fundamental knowledge about dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease, and to translate these findings into prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies that improve overall health for all individuals and communities across the lifespan. Lynn King Named DEA Director On January 3, Lynn Mertens King, PhD, was named director of NIDCR’s Division of Extramural Activities (DEA). Prior to her new role, King held several other positions within DEA since 2001, including chief of the Research Training and Career Development Branch, chief of the Scientific Review Branch, and scientific review officer. NIDCR Director Reflects on Career Dr. Rena D’Souza reflected on her career and inaugural year as NIDCR director in a recent interview published by NIH’s chapter of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. She highlighted the importance of being proactive and setting goals in one’s career. As a leader, Dr. D’Souza works to unite people towards a shared vision through transparent communication and valuing individuals. Back to top NIH/HHS News HHS Secretary Becerra Names Tabak Acting NIH Director Lawrence A. Tabak, DDS, PhD, was tapped by HHS as the acting director of NIH on December 20, following the departure of Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, who served in the role for more than 12 years. Dr. Tabak previously served as the principal deputy director, deputy ethics counselor, and headed NIDCR as the director from 2000-2010. CDC To Update Opioid Prescribing Guideline CDC is updating its 2016 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids based on new evidence. A draft of the 2022 Guideline, which NIDCR provided input on, is now open for public comment through April 11, 2022. Patients, caregivers, providers, and others are encouraged to review the draft and submit their feedback. NIH Scientists Urge Pursuit of Universal Coronavirus Vaccine In a December commentary in The New England Journal of Medicine, experts from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases called for international collaboration to counter future coronavirus outbreaks. Efforts should include characterizing coronavirus genetic diversity in wild and farmed animals, and investigating disease mechanisms to develop long-lasting, broadly protective vaccines. NIH Awards $170 Million for Precision Nutrition Study NIH is investing $170 million over five years, pending availability of funds, for a new study that will develop algorithms that predict individual responses to food and dietary patterns. The program, managed by the NIH Common Fund, will leverage advances in artificial intelligence and microbiome research, as well as the large and diverse participant group from the All of Us Research Program, to advance personalized and precision nutrition. Adolescent Nicotine & Marijuana Vaping Declined in 2021 The percentage of adolescents reporting substance use decreased in 2021, marking the steepest one-year decline reported by the Monitoring the Future Survey since 1975. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, showed a drop in vaping for both marijuana and tobacco in 2021, following sharp increases in use between 2017 and 2019, which then leveled in 2020. Back to top Science Advances Disarming a Blood-Clotting Protein Prevents Gum Disease in Mice In a study published in Science, a team led by NIDCR’s Niki Moutsopoulos, DDS, PhD, and Thomas Bugge, PhD, found that buildup of a blood-clotting protein, called fibrin, triggers an overactive immune response that damages the gums and underlying bone. By blocking fibrin's function, the researchers prevented bone loss in mice with gum disease. Itching for Answers Recent studies led by NIDCR immunologist Wanjun Chen, MD, and neurologist Mark Hoon, PhD, indicate that not all itch is created equal. The researchers identified key immune molecules that drive wound-induced itching and chronic itch. The findings show that distinct combinations of molecules appear to underlie different types of itch, and tailored treatments may be better than a one-size-fits-all approach. Tooth Protein Prevents Bone Loss in Mice NIDCR researcher Ashok Kulkarni, PhD, and colleagues found that a tooth-hardening protein can help promote bone formation and prevent bone loss in mice through its role in bone turnover, where worn-out bone is continuously replaced by healthy new tissue to keep bones strong. The study may inform new interventions for conditions marked by bone loss, such as severe gum diseases and osteoporosis. Back to top Grantee News Study Reveals How Migraine Pain Signals Are Generated—and Blocked  New York University - February 3, 2022 A Crowning Achievement in Understanding Head Development  University of Southern California - January 9, 2022 Researchers Gain Insights Into How Ultrasmall Bacteria From the Environment Have Adapted To Live Inside Humans  The Forsyth Institute - January 3, 2022 Forsyth Researchers Reveal That Oral TM7 Bacteria May Protect Humans From Pathogenic Bacteria  The Forsyth Institute - November 10, 2021 Back to top Funding Opportunities & Related Notices Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 05/08/2025 Microbial-based Cancer Imaging and Therapy - Bugs as Drugs (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 05/08/2025 Limited Competition: Transformative Research to Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity at Minority Serving Institutions (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 05/24/2022 NIH Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Program: FIRST Cohort (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 07/13/2022 Emergency Award: RADx-UP Community-Engaged Research on Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Testing among Underserved and Vulnerable Populations (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 05/03/2022 Emergency Awards: RADx-UP - Social, Ethical, and Behavioral Implications (SEBI) Research on Disparities in COVID-19 Testing among Underserved and Vulnerable Populations (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 05/03/2022 In utero Treatments of Congenital Dental and Craniofacial Disorders Using Precision Medicine Approaches (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 06/15/2022 In utero Treatments of Congenital Dental and Craniofacial Disorders Using Precision Medicine Approaches (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 06/15/2022 NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Mentored Career Development Award to Promote Diversity (K01 Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 Limited Competition: NIH Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program (DR. Program) (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 04/20/2022 HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 02/24/2023 NIDCR Dental Specialty and PhD Program (K12 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 07/08/2022 Exploratory/Developmental Bioengineering Research Grants (EBRG) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 04/12/2022 NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Dual Degree Dentist Scientist Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 NIDCR Dentist Scientist Career Transition Award for Intramural Investigators (K22 Basic Experimental Studies Involving Humans Required) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 HEAL Initiative: Discovery and Validation of Novel Targets for Safe and Effective Pain Treatment (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 12/07/2024 HEAL Initiative: Data and Methods to Address Urgent Needs to Stem the Opioid Epidemic (R01- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 03/11/2022 HEAL Initiative: Exploratory Data and Methods to Address Urgent Needs to Stem the Opioid Epidemic (R21- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 03/11/2022 SPARC VNS Endpoints from Standardized Parameters (VESPA) (U54 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 04/02/2022 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for a Data Management and Coordinating Center for Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (U2C Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Diagnostic Centers of Excellence (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Clarification for PAR-19-164 "Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Information Reissuance of PA-18-932 Increasing Uptake of Evidence-Based Screening in Diverse Adult Populations (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) as a Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 HEAL Initiative: Notice of Special Interest (NOSI) regarding the Availability of Administrative Supplements to Support Strategies to Increase Participant Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement in Clinical Studies Expiration Date: 04/30/2022 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplements to Support Enhancement of Software Tools for Open Science Expiration Date: 04/13/2022 Notice to Extend Eligibility for Submission of Pathway to Independence Award Applications (K99/R00) to NIDCR due to Covid-19 disruptions Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplements for NIDCR Grants to Support Pain-Focused High Priority Research Areas Expiration Date: 05/03/2022 Notice of Information: Multi-Institute Interest in Pain Research Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Research to Address Vaccine Hesitancy, Uptake, and Implementation among Populations that Experience Health Disparities Expiration Date: 01/08/2023 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for HEAL Initiative: Restoring Joint Health and Function to Reduce Pain Consortium (RE-JOIN) (UC2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Administrative Supplement for Research and Capacity Building Efforts Related to Bioethical Issues (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 03/17/2022 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain and Comorbidities (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 01/01/2025 Back to top Subscribe to NIDCR's Quarterly e-Newsletter Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. 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22. Itching for answers | Preventing gum disease | SARS-CoV-2 variants

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees. Itching for Answers NIDCR labs work together to find the molecules that make us itch NIDCR • January 27, 2022 Tooth Protein Prevents Bone Loss in Mice Scientists reveal surprising versatility of enamel protein NIDCR • January 20, 2022 Scientists Prevent Gum Disease in Mice Study identifies role for blood-clotting protein  NIDCR • December 23, 2021   Why Are SARS-CoV-2 Variants So Infectious? NIDCR researchers identify process that alters spike protein NIDCR • November 5, 2021   A Crowning Achievement in Understanding Head Development  University of Southern California • January 9, 2022 Researchers Gain Insights Into How Ultrasmall Bacteria From the Environment Have Adapted To Live Inside Humans  Harvard University • January 3, 2022 A Stunning 3D Map of Blood Vessels and Cells in a Mouse Skull Could Help Scientists Make New Bones  Johns Hopkins University • November 18, 2021 Forsyth Researchers Reveal That Oral TM7 Bacteria May Protect Humans From Pathogenic Bacteria Harvard University • November 10, 2021 Study Identifies Cancer Features That Could Guide Personalized Radiotherapy  University of Pittsburgh • November 3, 2021 ‘Nanozyme’ Therapy Prevents Harmful Dental Plaque Buildup University of Pennsylvania • October 25, 2021 STAY CONNECTED

23. NIDCR's Winter 2021 E-Newsletter

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NIDCR's Winter 2021 E-Newsletter In this issue: NIDCR News Funding Opportunities & Related Notices NIH/HHS News Subscribe to NIDCR News Science Advances   NIDCR News NIDCR Major Announcement: Save the Date! Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 21, at 1pm for a major webcast announcement from NIDCR. Look for log-in instructions, coming in a separate NIDCR email next week. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque Joins NIDCR as Deputy Director NIDCR welcomed Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, as the institute’s new deputy director on December 6. Prior to joining NIDCR, Webster-Cyriaque served as a faculty member for 21 years at the University of North Carolina (UNC) schools of dentistry and medicine, where she practiced dentistry and studied the role of viruses like HIV and herpes simplex virus in oral lesions and cancers. She received her bachelor’s and DDS degrees from the University at Buffalo and her doctorate from UNC. Q&A With Capt. Renee Joskow, NIDCR’s New Senior Advisor Capt. Renee Joskow, DDS, MPH, a dentist and medical epidemiologist, joined NIH as the senior advisor to the NIDCR director on October 24. She shared elements of her professional journey and discussed her new role in a Q&A format. Prior to NIDCR, Joskow served as the chief dental officer at the Health Resources and Services Administration, where she led oral health initiatives and collaborated with stakeholders and colleagues. She earned her DDS and master’s in public health from Columbia University and serves in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. NIDCR Funded Winners of 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine David Julius, PhD, of UC San Francisco, and Ardem Patapoutian, PhD, of Scripps Research Institute, won the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine on October 4 for their discoveries of thermal and mechanical receptors. The discoveries provided a foundation for understanding pain and proprioception, offering new opportunities to identify therapeutic targets. Both scientists received NIDCR funding in support of their winning research. Back to top NIH/HHS News Francis Collins To Step Down as NIH Director After 12 years of service, Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, will step down as the director of NIH by the end of 2021. During his tenure under three US presidents, Dr. Collins established bold initiatives to tackle some of the most pressing health issues facing the nation, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, opioid use disorder, rare diseases, and the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also bolstered policies and activities to address workforce diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Collins will continue to lead his research laboratory at NIH’s National Human Genome Research Institute. NIH, FDA Join Private Partners to Increase Gene Therapies for Rare Diseases NIH and FDA have partnered with 10 pharmaceutical companies and five non-profit organizations to launch the Bespoke Gene Therapy Consortium (BGTC), part of the NIH Accelerating Medicines Partnership program. BGTC aims to optimize and streamline the gene therapy development process to help fill the unmet medical needs of the 25-30 million Americans with rare diseases. NIDCR is one of nine NIH institutes and centers participating in the program. NIH Builds Network to Study Long-Term Effects of COVID-19 To support large-scale studies on the long-term effects of COVID-19, NIH awarded nearly $470 million to build a national study population of tens of thousands of diverse research volunteers. The award from the NIH REsearching COVID to Enhance Recovery (RECOVER) Initiative will support more than 100 researchers at more than 30 institutions. NIH to Catalyze Data Science Research in Africa NIH is investing about $74.5 million over five years to advance data science, catalyze innovation, and spur health discoveries across Africa. The Harnessing Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DS-I Africa) program will establish a data science research and training network across the continent. The 19 awards issued under DS-I Africa were supported in part by NIDCR and other NIH institutes, centers, and offices. The program aims to use data science to develop solutions to the continent’s most pressing public health problems. Research Awards to Advance Health Equity Disadvantaged populations experience higher rates of certain diseases and more negative health outcomes. To support bold new research ideas that focus on interventions to address these issues, NIH has awarded 11 grants through the Common Fund’s Transformative Research to Address Health Disparities and Advance Health Equity initiative. The awards, totaling $58 million over five years, will be administered by NIDCR on behalf of NIH. NIH Program To Map Rare, Non-Dividing Cells To study senescent cells, a type of rare and non-dividing cells that plays both positive and negative roles in biological processes, NIH’s Common Fund launched the Cellular Senescence Network program. The program aims to identify and characterize senescent cells across the body, in various states of human health, and across the lifespan. A deeper understanding of senescent cells could lead to therapies that encourage the cells’ beneficial effects while suppressing tissue-damaging effects. Vaping Levels Off Among College-Aged Adults Among adults ages 19 to 22, the use of vaped marijuana and vaped nicotine leveled off in 2020 after sharp yearly increases since 2017, according to survey results from the Monitoring the Future study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Marijuana use in general reached a historic high, but cigarette smoking continued to drop, the researchers found. Back to top Science Advances New Mechanism May Influence Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 Variants Scientists in the lab of NIDCR’s Kelly Ten Hagen, PhD, have found an enzyme process in cells that may limit the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 by adding a bulky sugar molecule that reduces the activation of the spike protein. Mutations in the alpha and delta variants seem to overcome this effect, potentially boosting the virus’s ability to spread. The knowledge could inform future efforts to develop new interventions. Developing a Smart Mask to Surveil Coronavirus NIDCR-funded researchers demonstrated the feasibility of developing a color-changing “smart” mask to detect viruses like SARS-CoV-2 in wearers’ saliva. The masks could one day be used to monitor infection and prevent outbreaks, especially in group settings like nursing homes, rehab facilities, schools, and assembly lines. The project is part of NIH’s Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Radical (RADx-rad) initiative. Scientists Identify a Culprit for Chronic Itch A research team led by NIDCR scientist Mark Hoon, PhD, identified an immune substance called oncostatin M (OSM) that sensitizes and enhances the activity of itch-sensing neurons. In a mouse model of chronic itch, scratching was virtually eliminated by blocking OSM activity, suggesting a therapeutic strategy for persistent itchy skin conditions like psoriasis. Robotic Massage Helps Regenerate Muscles in Mice In a recent study funded in part by NIDCR, researchers found that massage therapy performed by a robotic device helped heal severely injured muscles in mice by clearing immune cells from the tissue. The finding adds to evidence that mechanical therapies can aid tissue regeneration. Back to top Grantee News A Stunning 3D Map of Blood Vessels and Cells in a Mouse Skull Could Help Scientists Make New Bones  Johns Hopkins University - November 18, 2021 Study Identifies Cancer Features That Could Guide Personalized Radiotherapy  University of Pittsburgh - November 3, 2021 ‘Nanozyme’ Therapy Prevents Harmful Dental Plaque Buildup  University of Pennsylvania - October 25, 2021 Massage Doesn’t Just Make Muscles Feel Better, it Makes Them Heal Faster and Stronger  Harvard University - October 6, 2021 Darwin’s Short-Beak Enigma Solved  University of Utah - September 21, 2021 Nerve Repair, With Help From Stem Cells  University of Pennsylvania - September 7, 2021 UMass Amherst Research Finds 'Very low Rates' of Recommended Dental Fluoride Varnish Treatment for Young Children  University of Massachusetts Amherst - August 30, 2021 Study of East Africans Illuminates new Genetic Factors Underlying Human Faces  PLOS - August 19, 2021 Funding Opportunities & Related Notices Innovation Corps (I-Corps) at NIH Program for NIH and CDC Translational Research (Admin Supp Clinical Trial NOT Allowed) Expiration Date: 02/03/2024 Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 04/19/2024 Pre-application: Opportunities for Collaborative Research at the NIH Clinical Center (X02 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 12/14/2023 Expert-Driven Small Projects to Strengthen Gabriella Miller Kids First Discovery (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 06/11/2022 HEAL Initiative: Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management (R61/R33, Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 02/12/2022 Clinical Research Education and Career Development (CRECD) Program (R25-Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 12/16/2021 NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Short Courses in Neurotherapeutics Development (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 12/10/2021 HEAL Initiative: Advancing Health Equity in Pain Management (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 12/10/2021 SPARC Human Open Research Neural Engineering Technologies (HORNET) Initiative (U41 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/13/2022 Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 06/22/2024 Research on Biopsychosocial Factors of Social Connectedness and Isolation on Health, Wellbeing, Illness, and Recovery (R01 Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required) Expiration Date: 06/22/2024 INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE (INCLUDE) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant Award (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 11/04/2022 Administrative Supplements to Promote Diversity in Small Businesses-SBIR/STTR (Admin Supp Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 09/10/2024 Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 12/12/2023 NIDCR Behavioral and Social Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 05/08/2024 Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 06/21/2024 Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 09/08/2024 Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - Independent Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 09/08/2024 Maximizing Opportunities for Scientific and Academic Independent Careers (MOSAIC) Postdoctoral Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00 - Independent Basic Experimental Studies with Humans Required (BESH)) Expiration Date: 09/08/2024 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): The Functional Oral Microbiome Expiration Date: 09/07/2025 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) FOA Expiration Date: 01/01/2024 Notice of Intent to Publish the "Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15, Clinical Trial Required)" FOA Expiration Date: 01/01/2024 Notice of Special Interest: SBIR Technology Transfer (R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 01/08/2025 Notice of Change to Review Dates of PAR-22-054, “Discovery of the Genetic Basis of Childhood Cancers and of Structural Birth Defects: Gabriella Miller Kids First Pediatric Research Program (X01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)” Expiration Date: 02/24/2022 Notice of Participation of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in PAR-21-287 Effectiveness of School-Based Health Centers to Advance Health Equity (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 01/01/2024 NIDCR Guidance on Applications for Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials Expiration Date: 01/01/2024 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Advancing Imaging, Device Production, and Clinical Capabilities in Digital Dentistry (R41/R42, R43/R44 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 09/05/2025 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Social, Behavioral, and Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Underserved and Vulnerable Populations Expiration Date: 09/08/2024 Back to top Subscribe to NIDCR's Quarterly e-Newsletter Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. 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24. Developing a Smart Mask to Surveil Coronavirus

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. The latest science news from NIDCR's scientists and grantees The latest from NIDCR researchers and grantees Developing a Smart Mask to Surveil Coronavirus Scientists show feasibility of color-changing device for disease detection NIDCR • October 19, 2021 STAY CONNECTED

25. NIDCR's Fall 2021 E-Newsletter

    Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page. NIDCR's Fall 2021 E-Newsletter In this issue: NIDCR News Funding Opportunities & Related Notices NIH/HHS News Subscribe to NICDR News Science Advances   NIDCR News 5 Q&As About “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges” NIDCR issued a brief Q&A regarding details of the forthcoming report Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges, which will be published in Fall 2021. This comprehensive report will examine improvements in oral health over the past two decades, describe challenges and opportunities that affect oral health, and articulate a vision for the future, calling upon all Americans to take action. The report will provide key insights into the importance of oral health research and its impact on public health, including the importance of equitable delivery of oral health care. NIDCR Recognitions at IADR/AADOCR/CADR General Session NIDCR leadership, program staff, investigators, and trainees were among the presenters and honorees at the 2021 virtual meeting of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR); American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR); and Canadian Association for Dental Research: In a virtual interactive session with more than 100 participants, NIDCR Director Rena D’Souza, DDS, MS, PhD, provided an overview of NIDCR’s current programs and activities. She described her vision for achieving the institute’s mission to advance fundamental knowledge about dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease and translate these findings into prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies that improve overall health for all individuals and communities across the lifespan. Recordings of this session and other NIDCR-related events can be viewed by registered meeting attendees on the IADR virtual platform.  Lois Cohen, PhD, received the 2021 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Global Oral Health Research for her contributions to the field of social and behavioral research in dentistry. Rei Sekiguchi, DDS, PhD, and Ken Yamada, PhD, received The Journal of Dental Research Cover of the Year Award in recognition of their paper, "Single-Cell RNA-seq Identifies Cell Diversity in Embryonic Salivary Glands." Former NIDCR director and current investigator at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Martha Somerman, DDS, PhD, received the AADR Jack Hein Public Service Award, which honors service in promoting oral health research interests and activities to the public. Clinical research fellow Joshua Emrick, DDS, PhD, won first place among more than 20 contestants in the AADR Hatton Competition for his presentation at the meeting. Predoctoral fellow Jeremie Oliver, MS, received the Craniofacial Biology Group Award (Junior Category) for his presentation; Oliver works in the lab of Dr. D’Souza. Upcoming Workshop: Immune System’s Role in Tissue Regeneration The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) will host a two-day virtual workshop titled “Understanding the Role of the Immune System in Improving Tissue Regeneration” on November 2-3, 2021. Co-organized by NIDCR, the free workshop will explore promising approaches to improve clinical outcomes of tissue repair and regeneration in patients. This workshop is part of NASEM’s Forum on Regenerative Medicine. Register here. Back to top NIH/HHS News Lander, Collins Set Forth a Vision for ARPA-H In a commentary published in Science, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Eric S. Lander, PhD, NIH Director Francis S. Collins, MD, PhD, and other leaders describe a vision for a new science entity, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Proposed as a distinct division within NIH, ARPA-H would embrace a culture and strategies that encourage bold advances, aiming to accelerate biomedical innovation and adopt technologies and approaches to revolutionize health care and medicine. In one of a series of listening sessions convened by NIH and OSTP, NIH leadership, including NIDCR Director Dr. D'Souza, gave presentations and gathered feedback from stakeholders in several disease-related areas, including dental and craniofacial disorders. Oral & Pharynx Cancer Death Rates Increase in Men The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer, released in July by the National Cancer Institute and collaborating organizations, found that overall cancer death rates have continued to decline in men and women for all racial and ethnic groups in the United States. However, oral cavity and pharynx cancer death rates increased for men from 2014 to 2018. The overall cancer incidence rates continue to increase among females, children, and adolescents and young adults. Adolescent Nicotine Vaping Declined During Pandemic Nicotine vaping in American high school seniors declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to results from the annual Monitoring the Future survey of substance use behaviors among US adolescents. The study, funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, suggested that a dip in the perceived supply of vaping devices, the rise of minimum age for vaping product purchases, and news reports on vaping-induced lung injuries may have contributed to the decline. Meanwhile, adolescent marijuana use and binge drinking did not significantly change during the same period. Deputy Director for NIH Intramural Research Steps Down After 28 years of service, Michael M. Gottesman, MD, will step down as the NIH deputy director of intramural research and will turn his focus to his work at NCI, where he is chief of the Laboratory of Cell Biology. During his leadership, Gottesman has coordinated activities and facilitated cooperation to improve research integrity, recruitment, and foster a diverse scientific workforce across NIH. Gottesman will remain in the position while NIH undertakes a nationwide search for his replacement. Back to top Science Advances Portable Coronavirus Sensor Gives Results in Seconds In a preliminary study funded by NIDCR, researchers developed a hand-held device that rapidly and reliably detects SARS-CoV-2 in artificial saliva. The portable sensor could eventually be used for low-cost COVID-19 testing in a variety of locations, including dental and health care settings, schools, the travel industry, and at home. Dialing Down Pain from the Brain NIDCR Stadtman investigator Yuanyuan “Kevin” Liu, PhD, is decoding brain-spinal cord conversation to understand how the brain perceives touch and pain. His research revealed a brain area in mice that acts as a volume control for mechanical allodynia, a neuropathic pain condition where light touch is perceived as painful. The findings could have broader implications for other pain disorders and reveal potential treatment targets. Mimicking Mother Nature to Grow an Artificial Gland A video on NIDCR’s website shows a salivary gland growing into a mature organ and features NIDCR scientists as they describe how they achieved the first key step in creating an artificial salivary gland. The researchers are exploring ways to restore or replace damaged salivary glands to help patients who have lost salivary function from certain conditions, such as Sjögren's disease or radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. Cracking Down on a Rare Bone Disorder Pediatric endocrinologist Alison Boyce, MD, is looking for better ways to treat and diagnose fibrous dysplasia/McCune Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS), a disorder of the bones, skin, and endocrine system. In a video, she emphasizes the importance of engaging the FD/MAS patient community to understand their hopes and needs, which can inform research efforts to tackle the condition. How to Heal Skin Without the Scars Scientists supported by NIDCR and the National Institute of General Medical Sciences discovered how to reprogram certain mouse skin cells with a topical treatment to make them respond to injuries more like fetal skin cells, which patch up wounds without leaving a mark. The findings suggest it may one day be possible to allow wounds to heal without compromising the integrity of the skin. The findings also may have implications for other medical afflictions that involve scarring, such as liver and lung fibrosis, burns, scleroderma, and scarring of heart tissue after a heart attack. Back to top Funding Opportunities & Related Notices Feasibility Studies that Explore Healthy and Diseased Temporomandibular Joints (TMJ) using Single Cell Multi-Omic Analyses (UH2/UH3 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 11/11/2021 Regenerative Medicine Innovation Project (RMIP) Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: 10/9/2021 NIH Faculty Institutional Recruitment for Sustainable Transformation (FIRST) Program: FIRST Cohort (U54 Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 9/25/2021 Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 - Basic Experimental Studies with Humans) Expiration Date: 5/8/2023 Dyadic Interpersonal Processes and Biopsychosocial Outcomes (R01 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 5/8/2023 PHS 2021-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH, CDC and FDA for Small Business Innovation Research Grant Applications (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 4/6/2022 PHS 2021-2 Omnibus Solicitation of the NIH for Small Business Technology Transfer Grant Applications (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 4/6/2022 Identification and Characterization of Bioactive Microbial Metabolites for Advancing Research on Microbe-Diet-Host Interactions (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 10/20/2023 Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) Expiration Date: 6/30/2024 Understanding Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, Acquisition, and Persistence in People Living with HIV (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 11/19/2021 Understanding Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection, Acquisition, and Persistence in People Living with HIV (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 11/19/2021 HEAL Initiative: Planning Studies for Initial Analgesic Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: 10/11/2023 Notice of Expiration of PAR-21-197, NIDCR Behavioral and Social Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required). Expiration Date: 9/8/2021 Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for HEAL Initiative: Developing Quantitative Imaging and Other Relevant Biomarkers of Myofascial Tissues for Clinical Pain Management Expiration Date: NONE Notice of Correction to Application Types Allowed for PAR-21-197, NIDCR Behavioral and Social Intervention Clinical Trial Planning and Implementation Cooperative Agreement (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Required) Expiration Date: NONE Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Alternative Nicotine and Tobacco Delivery Systems: Basic Mechanisms of Health Effects Expiration Date: 5/8/2023 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) and Alternative Nicotine and Tobacco Delivery Systems: Population, Clinical and Applied Prevention Mechanisms of Health Effects Expiration Date: 5/8/2024 Notice of Special Interest: Alzheimer's-Focused Administrative Supplements for NIH Grants that are Not Focused on Alzheimer's Disease Expiration Date: 10/02/2021 Notice of Special Interest (NOSI): Navigating Pediatric to Adult Health Care: Lost in Transition Expiration Date: 1/8/2024 Notice of NIDCR Participation in RFA-CA-21-035 The Early Detection Research Network: Biomarker Characterization Centers (U2C Clinical Trial Not Allowed) Expiration Date: NONE Notice of NIDCR Participation in PAR-21-168, "Summer Research Education Experience Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" Expiration Date: NONE Back to top Subscribe to NIDCR's Quarterly e-Newsletter Visit the NIDCR website to sign up for NIDCR News. 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