Abstract
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Lymphatic Research Report
In response to a Congressional request,the NIH reported about the sustained role of the Trans-NIH Coordinating Committee for Lymphatic Research(CCLR) facilitating interactions among researchers studying lymphatic biology in health and disease and CCLR's continued role to raise awareness of this topic and research needs with the intramural and extramural research communities. Short and long term strategies include plans for the CCLR to sponsor symposia on lymphatic research at national scientific conferences and to continue to raise awareness of research needs in the area of lymphatic research and lymphatic disease. In addition, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) plans to include lymphatic disease in appropriate basic and translational research initiatives. The CCLR will encourage other member Institutes and Centers to do the same. The NIH plans to implement the 2008 Trans-NIH Working Group recommendations with respect to the development of methods for molecular and functional imaging of the lymphatic system in animals and humans (NHLBI, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB)) with the CCLR facilitating the interactions between the investigators involved in this endeavor. NIH supported research of the lymphatic system, resulted in the generation of several reagents that are shared by investigators in the field, and the CCLR will continue encouragement of investigators to collaborate and work with them to create a virtual research network. The NHLBI, NIBIB, and NCI support the development of techniques for molecular and functional imaging of the lymphatic system, and the CCLR will look for opportunities to develop interdisciplinary training programs to train the next generation of scientists. NHLBI continues to be in communication with investigators regarding establishing a tissue bank associated with the National Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Registry. In addition, recent National Institute of Child Health and Human Development(NICHD)intramural investigators have shown the zebrafish as a powerful new model for studying lymphatic development and disease and for performing genetic screens to identify mutations responsible for lymphatic disease. It is felt that this model will facilitate discovery of important information on the development and function of the lymphatic system. Additionally, the NHLBI supports translational research seeking biomarkers to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of acquired lymphedema and will continue to look for opportunities to support research on biomarker discovery and developments that aid diagnosis and management of lymphatic diseases.
National Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Registry
Lymphatic Diseases take a variety of forms, but in general they have the capacity to affect virtually every organ in the body. These lymphatic diseases include but are not limited to: primary and secondary lymphedemas, lymphangiomas, cystic hygromas, lymphangiectasias, and syndromes of mixed lymphatic and vascular anomalies, along with a variety of other developmental disorders that influence lymphatic competence. The National Lymphatic Disease and Lymphedema Registry has been enrolling patients since September 2010 with great success and we continue in our efforts to reach out to a diversity of patients as well as their clinicians, therapists and patient organizations. The patient registry (and a tissue bank to be developed as part of the project) will serve as a repository of information that will enhance the future ability of health care professionals and researchers to gain information about these diseases and to accurately identify, categorize, treat and prevent these diseases. For more information and/or to register please visit: http://registry.lymphaticresearch.org.
Gordon Research Conference
Chaired by Guillermo C. Oliver and Melody Swartz (Vice Chair), preliminary session topics and discussion leaders include:
Two (2) Andrew Moisoff Young Investigator Awards will be granted by the Lymphatic Research Foundation to the top two young investigator posters that are selected by the Gordon Research Conference Committee to present at the conference. To be considered for this award, the investigator must register for the Gordon Research Conference and submit an electronic poster via the GRC. Each award includes a US$1,000.00 stipend to be used at the discretion of the award recipient and an engraved plaque to commemorate the achievement. The selection of this award is solely under the discretion of the GRC Committee.
Lymphatic Research Foundation Awards
Call for Applications: Two Year Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards
The Lymphatic Research Foundation (LRF) is pleased to announce the 2012–2014 cycle of the LRF Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards Program, which offers two-year fellowships from US$82,000–US$95,000. The goal of the Program is to expand and strengthen the pool of outstanding junior investigators in the field of lymphatic research and to further LRF's mission to find improved treatments and cures for lymphatic diseases, lymphedema, and related disorders.
Call for Nominations: LRF- Lymphatic Research Leadership Award
The Lymphatic Research Foundation (LRF) seeks nominations for the LRF-Lymphatic Research Leadership Award. The LRF-Lymphatic Research Leadership Award is intended to recognize individuals, including elected and appointed officials; organizations, including non-profit and for profit corporations; foundations; and institutions, who have made a significant contribution toward promoting and supporting lymphatic research at the international, national, state, or local level to advance the field of lymphatic research and/or to find improved treatments and cures for lymphatic diseases, lymphedema, and related disorders. Self-nominations welcomed.