Dr. Bernstein's research group at San Diego State University. Mr. Gasper is seated in the front row, second from the left, in front of Dr. Bernstein.

ARRA Helps Define Molecular Structure, Career Direction for New College Grad
Last year, San Diego State University's Sanford Bernstein, Ph.D., was looking to expand his efforts to examine UNC-45, a protein essential for the proper structure and functioning of the molecular motor myosin, which powers muscle contraction. Clarke Gasper, a talented and newly minted college graduate, was looking to begin a career in the life sciences. With the help of a summer supplement award funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and administered by NIAMS, both men are achieving their goals.

NIAMS 2010 Scientific Retreat Summaries
NIAMS held its annual Scientific Planning Retreat on March 22 and 23, 2010. Topics of discussion included chronic low back pain, the emerging role of the microbiome, natural history studies, and oligonucleotide therapeutics. Additionally, participants explored the key gaps and opportunities in comparative effectiveness research related to the NIAMS portfolio. The sessions were designed to help position NIAMS to both assess and respond to future scientific directions. One-page overviews and summary PowerPoint slides of each topic are provided on the NIAMS Web site and include the key questions that were addressed during each session.

Researchers Discover How Folate Promotes Healing in Spinal Cord Injuries:
NIH-Funded Study Deciphers Chemical Sequence of Nerve Regeneration in Rats
The vitamin folate appears to promote healing in damaged rat spinal cord tissue by triggering a change in DNA, according to a laboratory study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The researchers showed that the healing effects of the vitamin increased with the dosage, until regrowth of the damaged tissue reached a maximum level. After this threshold was reached, regrowth declined progressively with increasing doses until it reached the level seen in the absence of the vitamin.

New Videos Reveal How NIH Identifies the Most Promising Research Applications
NIH’s Center for Scientific Review (CSR) released a new video to show new applicants and others how NIH assesses over 80,000 grant applications each year to help find those with the most merit. With the majority of NIH’s $31 billion budget supporting grants to researchers, these assessments help ensure investments lead to significant advances in science and health. The NIH Peer Review Revealed video can be viewed and downloaded via CSR’s Web site.

Personalized RePORTER
NIH recently added a new feature called MyRePORTER to the Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools Expenditures and Results (RePORTER) tool. With MyRePORTER, you can create an account to save and manage your queries. When logged into your MyRePORTER account, press the “Save Query” button on the “Hit List” page to save your search criteria. Stay tuned for additional functions to be added in the coming months, including notifications and saved portfolios.

Save the Date: NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting
The next NIAMS Advisory Council Meeting will be held September 28, 2010, in Building 31, 6th floor, C Wing, Conference Room 6, NIH Campus.

IRPartners
The Spring/Summer 2010 issue of NIAMS IRPartners is now available. This issue highlights Pompe disease, how ARRA funds have benefitted NIAMS intramural research activities, “A Clinical Perspective of Autoinflammatory Diseases,” a fact sheet on autoinflammatory diseases, and advances in medicine relating to muscular dystrophy, chronic myeloid leukemia and stem cell development. IRPartners is a biannual newsletter for patients of the NIAMS Intramural Research Program (IRP).

NIH Research Matters
NIH Research Matters is a review of NIH research from the Office of Communications and Public Liaison, Office of the Director, NIH.

NIH Public Bulletin
Read about the latest public events, activities, and health information resources from NIH in the latest issue of the NIH Public Bulletin.

NIH News in Health
Read practical health information in NIH News in Health, which is reviewed by NIH's medical experts and is based on research conducted either by NIH's own scientists or by our grantees at universities and medical schools around the country.

New Publication

What Are Polymyalgia Rheumatica and Giant Cell Arteritis?
This fact sheet contains general information about polymyalgia rheumatica and giant cell arteritis and explains how they are related. It discusses who is at risk and explains how these diseases are diagnosed and treated. Highlights of current research are also included.

Revised Publications

Questions and Answers about Shoulder Problems
This booklet contains general information about shoulder problems. It describes common shoulder problems, the causes and treatment options. Information is also provided on current research.

Living with Arthritis
This booklet contains general information about arthritis. It describes what arthritis is, different forms of arthritis, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. It also presents ways to help prevent further damage to the joints, organs and skin.

¿Tengo artritis?/Do I Have Arthritis?
This Spanish/English bilingual booklet contains general information about arthritis. It describes what arthritis is, different forms of arthritis, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. It also presents ways to help prevent further damage to the joints, organs, and skin.