In lieu of a 2014 State of the Health System address, Dr. Ora Pescovitz will present highlights of her five years as Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs (EVPMA) on Wednesday, May 28 from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM in the D. Dan & Betty Kahn Auditorium of the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building.

Ora Pescovitz, M.D., became the U-M's first female EVPMA in May 2009. In this role, she oversees $3.2 billion in revenue and $490 million in research funding, and is responsible for leadership and management of the U-M Hospitals and Health Centers, the U-M Medical School, clinical services of the U-M School of Nursing, and the Michigan Health Corp. During her tenure, UMHS created and enacted a strategic plan that has resulted in expanded reach and relationships throughout the state, all the while recording the highest-ever scores in patient satisfaction.

Dr. Pescovitz is a nationally recognized pediatric endocrinologist and researcher who has published 184 papers and books, and was elected to the Institute of Medicine in 2011.

Prior to taking the U-M post, Dr. Pescovitz had an extensive career serving as executive associate dean for Research Affairs at Indiana University School of Medicine, president and CEO of Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, and interim vice president for Research Administration at Indiana University. 

This will be her final presentation as EVPMA and it will be followed by a farewell program and reception. All UMHS faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to attend.

Ford Motor Company, as part of its research alliance with U-M, has an open call for proposals related to in-vehicle health and wellness.

From Ford's topic overview of "In-vehicle health and wellness": There has been a substantial increase in overall interest in health and wellness and this trend is expected to accelerate strongly as the baby boom demographic ages, though the trend is not limited to that demographic cohort. Consumer perceptions of driving have also changed as people spend more unpleasant time on congested roads. The ability to improve the well-being, stress state, and satisfaction of the driver and passengers during the in-vehicle experience is desired. 

The research alliance includes overhead-bearing (indirect cost) research projects for up to two years and up to $110,000 per year. Projects are co-developed with a Ford Principal Investigator (PI) and provide for mutual intellectual property rights and have a 25-40 percent funding success rate.

First drafts of proposals are due Monday, June 2 with final proposals due Thursday, August 14. Approval will be communicated by December with payment disbursed in first quarter 2015.

To identify a Ford PI for your area of research, please contact Ray Aldrich, Business Development Associate Director - Fast Forward Medical Innovation, via email or phone at 734-764-2693.

The UMHS Central Biorepository (CBR), part of the U-M Medical School's Strategic Research Initiative, is expanding operations to include a second round of pilot projects.  

The CBR is currently in the "build" phase, and working with four existing pilot programs to establish standardized operations and policy creation for the Biorepository.

We are inviting additional researchers to assist us further in developing Biorepository policies and procedures. These new research programs will be considered a second wave of pilot projects, and will be limited in number. 

Benefits of pilot participation include:

• "Outsourced" management of biorepository operations
• Dedicated, expert staff
• Regulated, secure environment for storage of human biological materials
• 24/7 monitoring of storage conditions
• Standard operating procedures for sample processing
• Standardized Quality Assurance and reports
• Biospecimen chain of custody management
• Detailed biospecimen annotation
• Reduced recharge rates initially 

To become a new pilot program, please apply to the UMHS Central Biorepository Pilot 2 Competition on UMMS Competition Space.

Please review this webpage before applying.

Please contact Leslie McCormick, who will route you to the appropriate person, via email or phone at 734-763-2520.  

When you're working with sensitive data, compliance issues arise. The Office of Regulatory Affairs and Medical School Information Services (MSIS) have teamed up to create a fast, friendly, free service to improve UMMS data security.

Our goal is to create a common culture within the UMHS/UMMS community to bring hand-held devices to MSIS proactively to ensure that they are encrypted and properly set up to follow data security best practices. We cannot turn everyone into specialists, but we can make it easy for everyone to turn to the specialists frequently for preventive care. 

1. Researchers using flash drives can swap one unencrypted drive for an 8GB encrypted flash drive, FREE thanks to Fostering Innovation Grants!
2. MSIS will check smart phones, small devices, and laptops to encrypt them and check cloud settings for security while you wait.
3. MSIS can provide follow up appointments to come to your office to help with other, larger machines.

The MSIS Help Me Now desk, located in 3112 Med Sci I, will be open Wednesdays from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM.

ES Cell-Mouse Chimera (see notes below)

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are pluripotent cells used to create mouse models of human disease and to study gene function. Genetic modifications made in ES cells can be transmitted to the offspring of ES cell-mouse chimeras to produce new mouse strains (see picture and notes below).

The training class includes a laboratory component in which trainees will learn to perform every method that the Transgenic Animal Model Core uses to manipulate genes in ES cells for the production of gene-targeted mice.

The training also includes seminar-style presentation and discussion of key research papers that explore the scientific principles of mouse genome modification. Suggestions for special topics in the afternoon seminars are encouraged.

Trainees will:

• Learn how to manipulate mouse embryonic stem cell
  in culture
• Learn how to perform nuclease-mediated gene modification (CRISPR/Cas9, zinc finger nucleases, TALENs)
• Learn about Cre/loxP and FLP/FRT recombinase systems in vivo and in vitro
• Learn the principles of gene targeting design and how to design DNA molecules to effect gene modifications
• Learn how to access resources from the International Knockout Mouse Consortium
• Learn about pitfalls in experimental design and how to control for them 

After the training you will be able to design genetic modifications and produce them in ES cells and mice.

The class will take place in:

Room 2578

Medical Sciences Research Building II (MSRB II) 

1150 West Medical Center Drive

Course Instructors are Elizabeth Hughes, M.S., and Thom Saunders, Ph.D., Director of the U-M Transgenic Animal Model Core. If you want to reserve a place in this two-week class, please contact Thom Saunders via email. Places are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. There is a $1,400 fee to participate. 

A sample syllabus can be downloaded here.

Image Notes:

ES Cell-Mouse Chimera. ES cells from black mice were combined with a wild type embryo from a white mouse. The resulting mouse shows contributions from both the ES cells and the embryo. The black fur and eye are made by ES cells. The white fur and red eye are made by the embryo. 

Do you have questions about your Investigational New Drug Application (IND) and Investigation Device Exemption (IDE)?

Join the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR's) Ask the Expert: MICHR IND/IDE Investigator Assistance Program (MIAP) for an interactive lecture and panel discussion.

This session will focus on IND/IDE processes and regulations to assist you with your research. There will also be time in the program to speak with someone from MIAP about your specific study questions. 

Discussion topics include: 

• When is an IND or IDE needed
• Requirements for an IND or IDE Application 
• Information required in an IND and IDE
  application submission
• Next steps after IND/IDE submission
• What information to include in your protocol 
• Services that MIAP offers to research teams 

Thursday, May 29

2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Room 2C108, U-M Main Hospital 

1500 E. Medical Center Drive

More details, including presenter and registration information, available here.

The Society of Clinical Research Associates (SoCRA) Study Session, offered by the Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research (MICHR), is intended to provide attendees with a group setting to prepare for the SoCRA Certification Exam.

These sessions aim to provoke interactive group discussions, facilitate interactive activities, and provide resources to help prepare for the SoCRA Exam. 

Topics include:  

• Session 1:
  Protection of Human Subjects (DHHS and FDA) & IRBs
• Session 2:
  IND, IB, ICH E6 GCP Essential Documents
• Session 3:
  Electronic Records & Signatures, Financial Disclosure, Monitoring, ICH E6 GCP Glossary
• Session 4:
  ICH E6 GCP IRB, Investigator, Sponsor, Protocols 

Please note: There are two dates for each section. Each duplicate session will focus on the same agenda. 

The Unit for Laboratory Animal Medicine (ULAM) is pleased to announce that eResearch Animal Management (eRAM) Phase 3.0 was implemented the weekend of May 2.

The following features are NEW within eRAM 3.0:

• View all barcode information for protocols
• Request Breeding Sheets and Cage Cards directly
  within eRAM
• View Statement of Charges directly within eRAM
• Notification when Statement of Charges are ready
  for viewing
• Additional designated roles for viewing Statement
  of Charges
• And much more...see the Summary of Changes (eResearch eRAM Phase 3.0). 

How to use these new features:

• Cages / Cage Cards Reference Guide
• Charge Info Reference Guide
• Request Breeding Sheets Step-by-Step Guide
• Request Quick Cards Step-by-Step Guide
• Manage Shortcodes Step-by-Step Guide 

For billing inquiries, contact ULAM via email or phone at 

734-764-0277.

For eRAM support, please contact the ITS Service Center 

Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM via phone or email; or Sunday from 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM via email.  

ITS Service Center Contact Information:

• Submit a Service Request Online
• Phone: 734-764-HELP (764-4357)
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: http://its.umich.edu/help

As scientists catalog the trillions of bacteria found in every nook and cranny of the human body, new findings by investigators with the UMHS Host Microbiome Initiative show wide variation in the types of bacteria found in healthy people.

Based on their findings recently published in Nature, there is no single healthy microbiome. Rather, each person harbors a unique and varied collection of bacteria that's the result of life history as well as their interactions with the environment, diet, and medication use.

"Understanding the diversity of community types and the mechanisms that result in an individual having a particular type or changing types will allow us to use their community type to assess disease risk and to personalize their medical care," says lead study author Patrick D. Schloss, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology and immunology at the U-M Medical School.

The Host Microbiome Initiative (HMI), part of the Medical School's Strategic Research Initiative, is working to "fast forward" research on the role of microbes in human health and disease. The initiative builds upon long-standing strengths in microbiology, microbial pathogenesis, immunology and clinical medicine.

The HMI will leverage recent developments in technology and national initiatives such as the NIH Human Microbiome Project to accelerate our understanding of how communities of microbes interact with their host.

"What our data shows is that just because a person's microbiome is different doesn't make it unhealthy," says Schloss. "It demonstrates there's more to learn about the factors that cause one's microbiome to change." Understanding why community types change will be useful in developing therapies that can alter one's community type using pre- and probiotics, fecal transplants, or antibiotics.

Click here to learn more about the UMHS Strategic Research Initiative.

James Baker, M.D.

Steven Kunkel, Ph.D., UMMS Senior Associate Dean for Research, recently announced the renewal of the appointment of James Baker, M.D., as Director of the Michigan Nanotechnology Institute for Medicine and Biological Sciences (MNiMBS).

Dr. Baker has over 25 years experience in basic biologic research, concentrating in immunology and host defense. Widely recognized in the field, his work has resulted in the development of a new class of antimicrobial agents which have led to two start-up biotechnology companies, NanoBio Corporation and Avidimer Therapeutics.

Launched in 2005, MNiMBS researchers focus on the development of therapeutics with a particle size small enough to overcome the barriers to deliver drugs, genetic materials, and vaccines. For more information visit the MNiMBS website. 

The Medical School Dean's Office is soliciting nominations of outstanding staff members in the managerial, professional, and support ranks of the U-M Medical School. The Medical School Dean's Awards for Program Staff is designed to give special recognition for distinctive service to the Medical School.

Administrator of the Year

This award is conferred upon the staff member who demonstrates superb leadership in the management of other staff, as well as exceptional operational excellence and stewardship of Medical School resources. This award is open to all staff members in the managerial job role.

Professional Staff of the Year

This award is conferred upon a professional staff member who demonstrates excellence in his/her work, contributes to a positive working environment, and is a strong team contributor (where appropriate). This award is open to all staff members in the professional job role who receive a monthly paycheck.

Support Staff of the Year

This award is conferred upon the support staff member who demonstrates excellence in his/her work, contributes to a positive working environment, and is mindful of his/her service to the Medical School. This award is open to all staff members classified in the professional job role who receive a bi-weekly paycheck.

The top award in each category carries a $1,500 prize given to the staff member. Award recipients will also be honored at the annual Faculty and Staff Awards Dinner held in the fall.

In addition to selecting winners in each category, three honorable mention awards of $500 will be selected in each category.

Please refer to the Medical School Dean's Awards for Program Staff website for full details on each award, as well as nomination forms and details on the submission process.

Contact the U-M Medical School's Human Resources Office at 

Here are some steps to select a study section:

• Go to CSR and chose the Integrated Review Group (IRG) that represents your field; this will be a cluster of study sections (e.g., the AIDS IRG has 11 study sections)
• Examine the rosters of the likely specific study sections:
• If the area seems right but you don't recognize anyone, read some papers by the members
• If they seem to be working in very different areas or are likely to have competing perspectives (e.g., quantitative vs. qualitative analysis), go elsewhere
• Another approach is to go to the NIH Reporter and, using the text field on the search page, identify awarded projects similar to yours. The "details" will indicate what study section reviewed the proposal(s)
• Conduct some research on the committee members -- visit their websites or read their publications so you can choose the study section that's right for you
• Optional: Once you have determined a study section, identify a few individuals who may likely be your assigned reviewers. Ask yourself: would this person be enthusiastic about my project?
• If relevant, consider citing a publication of a likely assigned reviewer (a little flattery never hurts...)