“I’m delighted that NIH has created this powerful, new tool. It is a tremendous resource for all who are struggling to make sense of the complex world of genetic testing,” said NIH Director Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., who unveiled GTR at NIH’s observance of international Rare Disease Day. “This registry will help a lot of people — from health care professionals looking for answers to their patients’ diseases to researchers seeking to identify gaps in scientific knowledge.”

Genetic tests currently exist for about 2,500 diseases, and the field continues to grow at an astonishing rate. To keep pace, GTR will be updated frequently, using data voluntarily submitted by genetic test providers. Such information will include the purpose of each genetic test and its limitations; the name and location of the test provider; whether it is a clinical or research test; what methods are used; and what is measured. GTR will contain no confidential information about people who receive genetic tests or individual test results.

Genetic tests that the Food and Drug Administration has cleared or approved as safe and effective are identified in the GTR. However, most laboratory developed tests currently do not require FDA premarket review. Genetic test providers will be solely responsible for the content and quality of the data they submit to GTR. NIH will not verify the content, but will require submitters to agree to a code of conduct that stipulates that the information they provide is accurate and updated on an annual basis. If submitters do not adhere to this code, NIH can take action, including requiring submitters to correct any inaccuracies or to remove such information from GTR.

In addition to basic facts, GTR will offer detailed information on analytic validity, which assesses how accurately and reliably the test measures the genetic target; clinical validity, which assesses how consistently and accurately the test detects or predicts the outcome of interest; and information relating to the test’s clinical utility, or how likely the test is to improve patient outcomes.

“Our new registry features a versatile search interface that allows users to search by tests, conditions, genes, genetic mutations and laboratories,” said Wendy Rubinstein, M.D., Ph.D., director of GTR. “What’s more, we designed this tool to serve as a portal to other medical genetics information, with context-specific links to practice guidelines and a variety of genetic, scientific and literature resources available through the National Library of Medicine at NIH.”

GTR is built upon data pulled from the laboratory directory of GeneTests, a pioneering NIH-funded resource that will be phased out over the coming year. GTR is designed to contain more detailed information than its predecessor, as well as to encompass a much broader range of testing approaches, such as complex tests for genetic variations associated with common diseases and with differing responses to drugs. GeneReviews, which is the section of GeneTests that contains peer-reviewed, clinical descriptions of more than 500 conditions, is also now available through GTR.

The GTR database was developed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), part of NIH’s National Library of Medicine, under the oversight of the NIH Office of the Director and with extensive input from researchers, testing labs, health care providers, patients and other stakeholders. To view video tutorials on how to use GTR, go to http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1C4A2AFF811F6F0B.

Source: NIH News Release

The lecture will survey “Medical Education Research at WSU” with a panel of faculty and medical student investigators led by Nicole Borges, Ph.D. (above left), professor of community health and assistant dean of medical education research and evaluation. Faculty presenters also include  Brenda Roman, M.D., professor and director of medical student education in psychiatry and assistant dean for curriculum development; Barbara Kraszpulska, Ph.D., assistant Professor of neuroscience, cell biology and physiology; and Raymond P. Ten Eyck, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.E.P., professor of emergency medicine and Simulation Center director. Student presenters include Ryan Whitt (M4), Julie Popritkin M4), and Robbie Beaulieu M2). Download the agenda (MS Word).

Dinner will be provided on Feb. 23. Please RSVP to Adam Deardorff (deardorff.2@wright.edu) if you plan to attend.

Related links:

• Research Learning Community homepage
• 2011-2012 Translational Research Lecture Series

Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, Wright State Research Institute and Premier Health Partners announced today the formation of the Wright State University & Premier Health Partners Clinical Trials Research Alliance to increase medical research opportunities for physicians and clinicians and boost access to clinical trials in the Dayton region.

This major public-private initiative partners the Dayton region’s strongest biomedical research institution with the clinical resources of the region’s leading hospital system. Premier Health Partners is making a major investment of $4 million over five years to support the infrastructure of the alliance. It is expected to build a $5 million to $7 million annual clinical research portfolio over five years, roughly doubling the total of what the medical school and Premier have today.

Wright State medical students are invited to present scientific posters on their recent research  at the 4th annual Medical Student Research Symposium on Thursday, April 5,  6:00-8:00 p.m., in the White Hall atrium. The symposium is sponsored by the Medical Student Research Club and the BSOM Office of Research Affairs.

To be eligible for a poster presentation you must meet one of the following requirements:

• Have engaged in medically-related research (basic science, translational, clinical, educational, or ethics research, including case presentations) at Wright State University as a medical student.
• Have engaged in medically-related research at Wright State University as an undergraduate/graduate student during the previous academic year.
• Have engaged in medically-related research at another university while a BSOM student.
• Have continued to contribute to a previous medically-related research project done at another university (ex: presenting at national meeting) while a BSOM student.

BSOM students who do not meet these requirements (or who are unsure whether they meet them), but would still like to participate in the symposium, should contact Adam Deardorff to discuss specific projects for consideration.

Please submit your abstract using the poster submission template. Email it to Adam Deardorff (deardorff.2@wright.edu) by Friday, March 9.   Please limit your abstract to a single page.  The abstracts will be published and stored in the WSU Libraries’ CORE repository. See symposium proceedings for 2010 and 2011.

See the full list. Here are several programs in specialties that are a perennial interest for WSU medical students:

Alpha Omega Alpha Carolyn L. Kuckein Student Research Fellowships – Summer term support (a minimum of 8 to 10 weeks) for clinical investigation, basic research, epidemiology and the social sciences as related to medicine. Up to seven fellowships are awarded annually to students in their first, second or third year. Each will provide $5,000 to the student for support of the proposed research project. For more information and to apply go to: www.alphaomegaalpha.org/student_research.html.

American Association for Thoracic Surgery Summer Scholarships in Cardiothoracic Surgery – The American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Summer Intern Scholarship program introduces the field of cardiothoracic surgery to first and second year medical students from North American medical institutions. By providing an opportunity to spend 8 weeks during the summer working in an AATS member’s cardiothoracic surgery department, the summer intern scholarship provides medical students with insight into the scientific investigation and study of cardiothoracic surgery. A grant of $2,500 is provided to successful applicants to underwrite their living expenses during the eight weeks of guidance at the selected host institution. Additionally all awardees will receive complimentary registration to the association’s Annual Meeting and postgraduate courses that takes place in May. For more information and to submit an application please visit the AATS website at www.aats.org. Application deadline mid January.

American Heart Association Medical Student Research Program - The Medical Student Research Program provides 8, 10, or 12 weeks awards (continuous in time) to medical students to carry out cardiovascular-related research in a strong laboratory environment. The objective is to provide medical students who are potentially interested in a research career with an opportunity to explore a research career that is broadly related to the cardiovascular area or stroke. Stipend of $600 per week. Program runs between June  – May. Deadline is usually in March. Website: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3013191.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Summer Fellowship Program – Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center offers an eight-week summer fellowship research program to medical students interested in the field of oncology and related biomedical research.  The program allows students who have completed their first or second year of medical school the opportunity to conduct basic laboratory or clinical research mentored by MSKCC faculty sponsors.  Summer fellowship participants receive a $5,500 stipend.  Application deadline is late January.  For additional information, visit www.mskcc.org/summerfellowships.  Brochures are also available in 3040E Murphy, School of Medicine Office of Student Affairs.

The Society for Pediatric Research/American Pediatric Society grant – Research opportunity in a pediatric laboratory at a medical school other than KUMC.   The grant will provide a maximum stipend of $4,270 and will enable each student to spend eight to ten weeks working 30-40 hours per week in a research environment.  The application deadline is usually in late January.  Over 300 laboratories and research experiences are available to students.  Website:  www.aps-spr.org/student_Research/Info.htm

The lecture will be given by two faculty from WSU’s Department of Internal Medicine,  Charlie Abraham, M.D., and Thomas Herchline, M.D. They will discuss current internal medicine research projects. See related readings.

Dinner will be provided on Jan. 26. Please RSVP to Adam Deardorff (deardorff.2@wright.edu) if you plan to attend.

Related links:

• Research Learning Community homepage
• 2011-2012 Translational Research Lecture Series

The goal of the program is to encourage medical students to consider research in diabetes and its complications as a career and to educate students about diabetes. Program Consultants will assist students in selecting an appropriate research project and preceptor. Prior research experience is not required. In addition to working on his/her own research project, each student will view a web-cast series of seminars addressing various clinical and research aspects of diabetes mellitus and its complications. All students will present their results at a research symposium in Nashville, TN on August 1-2, 2012 (travel funds provided).

Students will spend 2-3 months working on their research project at a Diabetes Center and receive a weekly stipend. Commencement dates and conclusion for the program are reasonably flexible, but you must attend the research symposium on August 1-2, 2012.

Application deadline for summer of 2012 is January 23, 2012.

The NIDDK Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes is funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

Download program announcement (PDF) for the NIDDK Medical Student Research Program in Diabetes. For more information, email: niddk.diabetes.student.research@vanderbilt.edu.

The lecture will be given by three faculty from WSU’s Department of Surgery: Jonathan Saxe, M.D.; Kathryn Tchorz, M.D.; and Lucile Wrenshall, M.D., Ph.D. They will discuss current surgery research projects.

Dinner will be provided on Dec. 1. Please RSVP to Adam Deardorff (deardorff.2@wright.edu) if you plan to attend.

Related links:

• Research Learning Community homepage
• 2011-2012 Translational Research Lecture Series

The GSA has $10,000 in funds to allocate to graduate and professional students during the 2011-2012 academic year. There are two deadlines in place: January 3rd, 2012 and March 26th, 2012, and half of the funds will be allocated at each deadline.  There are two types of grants that can be applied for:

• Original Work Grant: This grant can help offset expenses for necessary research materials, which include a broad range of eligible expenses (from necessary research equipment to the cost of printing a poster).  The maximum amount awarded for this grant is $750.
• Professional Development Grant: This grant can help offset expenses for travel to (and fees associated with attending) conferences for “professional development,” which include conferences at which a poster presentation is given, conferences attended as a representative of a local or national organization, etc. The maximum amount awarded for this grant is $400.

All of the information necessary for applying for these grants can be found at:
http://wsugradstudent.wordpress.com/grant-programs/.

GSA MISSION: The Graduate Student Assembly is a registered student organization at WSU and exists to promote and support research, ethics, and professional development for the graduate student population of Wright State University. We serve as advocates for the student body to the administration, ambassadors for the Graduate School, and seek to build community both for current graduate students and graduate alumni of Wright State University.
Thank you all for your time, and I wish everyone the best with either registering their student organization or applying for one of the grants mentioned above. If you should have any questions regarding student organization registration or the application process for the grants, please feel free to contact me by replying to this email.

Justin Peacock, PhD, 2nd Lt USAF HPSP, is a second-year medical student at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. In an insightful article published in ACP Impact, a student newsletter of the American College of Physicians, he offers practical advice for navigating the challenges of doing research during medical school. Before beginning to look for a research mentor, Peacock suggests that you make a self-assessment of your interests and motives:

• Why do I want to begin conducting research? What am I hoping to gain?
• What are my future professional goals? Academic, private practice, military, industry, policy, etc.
• Realistically, what amount of time do I have to devote to this research? This question is critical, particularly if you have not had any prior research experience. Ask friends, physicians, or professors involved in different types of research about the time commitments for their research.
• What areas of medicine and research do I really gravitate towards? Think about the specialties in medicine that grab your interest. What type of research motivates you: basic, translational, clinical, quality, systems management, policy, etc.?
• What type of training, mentorship, or resources do I need to conduct a project in this field of research? Am I well-trained and knowledgeable about this field? Do I need financial, laboratory, tissue sample, or other types of support?
• What sort of time frame do I want to commit to a single project? A month, a summer, a year, or my entire time in medical school?

Read more of Justin Peacock’s advice.