KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Primary Sponsor: Department of Health and Human Services Deadline: 4/1/2001; 8/1/2001; 12/1/2001 KEYWORDS A. Rheumatic Diseases Branch. Supports basic and clinical research in the normal function and components of connective tissue and the immune system and their dysregulation in rheumatic, genetic, and inherited diseases of connective tissue. The goals are increased understanding of the etiology and pathogenetic mechanisms involved in rheumatic and degenerative disease of the joints and in the translation of these basic research findings to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. The research supported by the Program utilizes approaches emanating from relevant areas of genetics, biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, biophysics, enzymology, immunology, pathology, physiology, behavioral medicine, and epidemiology. A description of other areas of research under investigation may be found at http://www.nih.gov/niams/grants/ep3.htm B. Musculoskeletal Diseases Branch. Supports studies of the skeleton and associated connective tissues. Research areas supported through the Musculoskeletal Diseases Branch include bone diseases, bone biology, and orthopaedic research. Broad areas of interest include skeletal development, metabolism, mechanical properties, and responses to injury. Osteoporosis, a disease afflicting many of the Nation's growing population of older people, is particularly emphasized for investigation under this program. Among other diseases and skeletal disorders under investigation are osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder that leads to fragile, easily fractured bones; Paget's disease of bone, which results in irregular bone formation and subsequent deformity; genetic disorders of bone growth and development, such as osteopetrosis and the osteochondrodysplasias; vitamin D refractory diseases; and rickets and osteomalacia. Other studies focus on the causes and treatment of acute and chronic injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive stress injury, low back pain and clinical and epidemiological studies of osteoarthritis. The Program supports development of new technologies with the potential to improve treatment of skeletal disorders and facilitate the repair of trauma in the normal skeleton. These include drugs and nutritional interventions, joint replacement, bone and cartilage transplantation, and gene therapy. In addition, bioengineering, sports medicine and musculoskeletal fitness are areas of special research emphasis. A description of other areas of research under investigation may be found at http://www.nih.gov/niams/grants/ep5.htm C. Skin Diseases Branch. Supports basic and clinical studies of the skin in normal and disease states. The wide range of skin diseases under study with NIAMS support includes keratinizing disorders such as psoriasis and ichthyosis, atopic dermatitis and other chronic inflammatory skin disorders, the vesiculobullous diseases such as epidermolysis bullosa and pemphigus, acne, and vitiligo. A description of other areas of research under investigation may be found at: http://www.nih.gov/niams/grants/ep6.htm A. Determinations of drug effects. B. Determinations of effects of other therapies, including occupational and physical therapy modalities, spinal manipulation, bracing, transcutaneous nerve stimulation, acupuncture, and topical agents (e.g., capasicin). C. Preventive strategies. D. Development and validation of animal models for rheumatic, musculoskeletal (especially for herniated intervertebral disc and spinal stenosis), muscle and skin diseases. E. Improvement and refinement of immunogenetic determinants of rheumatic diseases. F. Development of novel and improved diagnostic methods and treatments for muscle, tendon, ligament, bone, and joint injuries, including overuse and repetitive motion disorders. G. Devices and activities designed to prevent muscle, tendon, ligament, and joint injuries, including overuse and repetitive motion disorders. H. Assessment techniques for musculoskeletal and skin diseases. I. Functional and metabolic measures of the musculoskeletal system in normal, diseased and active states. J. Development of novel implant designs, materials and surface coatings for musculoskeletal implants. Development of assessment strategies to detect implant failure, loosening, and osteolysis, and the development of novel technologies to prevent them. K. Computer modeling, relevance to the musculoskeletal system. L. Improved topical treatments of skin diseases and disorders. M. Devices and computer programs for diagnosis or assessment of skin diseases. N. Tissue culture models for skin diseases. O. Artificial skin. P. Photoprotective agents. Q. Improved treatment for bone diseases. R. Measurement techniques for bone diseases. S. Preventive measures for fractures. T. Delivery systems for dietary supplements. U. Novel delivery systems for therapeutic agents. V. Development of novel or improved technologies for bone healing and repair. This includes, but is not limited to, the development of osteoinductive, osteoconductive, or a combination, technologies to facilitate bone healing/repair, and the development of improved or novel approaches to the use of autogenous, allograft, and bone graft substitutes. W. Development of novel or improved technologies to facilitate the repair of articular cartilage, including, but not limited to cartilage cell transplantation, use of stem cells, biodegradable scaffolds, growth factors, and refinements of currently existing technologies. X. Development of novel technologies to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of acute and chronic low back pain. Y. Development of novel assessment technologies for identifying biomechanical inputs on bone and cartilage tissue at the cellular level, and identification of the corresponding physiological response. Z. Development of novel technologies leading to the use of gene therapy for selected musculoskeletal diseases and injuries. AA. Development of novel, non-invasive technologies to assess joint tissues, including articular cartilage and subchondral bone. Other Research Topic(s) Within Mission of Institute Rheumatic Diseases Dr. Susana Serrate-Sztein National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5032; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: ss86e@nih.gov Cartilage and Connective Tissue Dr. Bernadette Tyree National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5032; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: bt16w@nih.gov Muscle Biology Dr. Richard Lymn National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5128; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: rl28b@nih.gov Skin Diseases Dr. Alan N. Moshell National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5017; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: am40j@nih.gov Orthopaedics Dr. James Panagis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5055; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: jp149d@nih.gov Bone Biology Dr. William Sharrock National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5055; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: ws19h@nih.gov Bone Diseases Dr. Joan McGowan National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-5055; Fax: (301) 480-4543 Email: jm106v@nih.gov For administrative and business management questions, contact: Ms. Florence Turska National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (301) 594-3507; Fax: (301) 480-5450 Email: ft7p@nih.gov NOTE: The Solicitations listed on this site are partial copies from the various SBIR agency solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should always use the suggested links on our reference pages. These will take you directly to the appropriate agency information where you can read the official version of the solicitation you are interested in. The official link for this page is: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/funding/sbir.htm. Solicitation closing dates are: April 1, August 1, and December 1, 2001.