News & Events

Meeting Reports 2007
Scientific Retreat

August 5, 2007 (historical)

Overview

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) held its annual Scientific Planning Retreat for the Extramural Program on April 23-24, 2007. NIAMS is committed to advancing the fields of musculoskeletal, rheumatic, and skin diseases research and ensuring that our investments result in tangible benefits in terms of the Nation's health. The scientific retreat is an important component in the Institute's annual planning process, as it provides scientific staff and invited guests, including researchers and lay representatives, with an opportunity to have in-depth discussions on specific needs, gaps, and opportunities in the extramural research community. By continually scanning the current state-of-the-science, the Institute is able to evaluate its research portfolios and focus efforts in areas that may not otherwise be pursued without the support of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Topics of discussion this year included epigenetics, systems biology of inflammation, soft tissue imaging, and the structure and outcomes of the Institute's existing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. These topics aligned with NIH areas of emphasis, including those of the NIH Roadmap, since the Institute is committed to ensuring that our research communities are poised to tap into larger, NIH-wide efforts and to leverage resources and knowledge outside of specific disease areas. One-page overviews and summary PowerPoint slides of each topic are provided below, and include the key questions that were addressed during each session.