NIEHS Spotlight

Tox21 begins screening 10,000 chemicals

In December, a high-speed robotic screening system, aimed at protecting human health by improving how chemicals are tested in the U.S., began screening compounds.

NIEHS collaborates on autism database federation

Funded by NIEHS and four other NIH institutes and centers, the National Database for Autism Research has launched a precedent-setting data-sharing collaboration.

Balbus discusses health adaptation at climate change summit

A side event presentation Dec. 8, organized by NIEHS, explored early warning systems and frameworks for vulnerability and adaptation assessments for human health.

Copeland named chief of Laboratory of Molecular Genetics

William Copeland, Ph.D., who leads the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics Mitochondrial DNA Replication Group, had served as acting chief since July 2011.

Grantee honored by association of science teachers

NIEHS grantee Kathleen Vandiver, Ph.D., was recognized for her more than 20 years of significant contributions to Massachusetts science education.

Birnbaum and staff hold conversation with NIEHS Partners

Following morning presentations, Partners enjoyed a nearly three-hour informal lunchtime conversation with NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D.

Nano Grand Opportunities researchers share findings

This was the final meeting of the consortium, which began in 2009 with 13 two-year grants funded from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

mHealth Summit highlights advances in mobile health technology

Representatives from NIEHS joined more than 3,500 leaders from around the world to engage in constructive dialogue about leading-edge mobile health technologies.

NIEHS postdocs learn the value of options at NC biotech career day

NIEHS postdocs joined dozens of their colleagues at the N.C. Biotechnology Center Dec. 9 for the third installment of the organization’s Ph.D. career series.

Award-winning summer intern accepted by Stanford

NIEHS summer intern Greeshma Somashekar learned in December that one of America’s premiere scientific institutions is now officially on her list of possibilities.

Freedman represents NIEHS/NTP at conference in Peru

Jonathan Freedman, Ph.D., represented NIEHS/NTP leadership at the II International Congress and IV Peruvian Congress of Toxicology meeting Nov. 21-23 in Lima, Peru.

NTP advisor named as fellow of the Collegium Ramazzini

NTP Board of Scientific Counselors chair David Eastmond, Ph.D., is among the latest group of fellows selected by the Collegium Ramazzini.

Volunteers translate NIEHS cookstove research in Guatemala

NIEHS/NTP Director Linda Birnbaum, Ph.D., received an unexpected holiday gift Dec. 24, thanking her for NIEHS research on respiratory illness and indoor air pollution.

Inside the Institute

Institute staff honored at 2011 NIEHS awards and international day

NIEHS welcomed federal staff and contractors to Rodbell Auditorium Dec. 6 for its annual Awards Ceremony and International Day festivities.

CFC enjoys another record year

Combined Federal Campaign Dec. 15, 2011, setting yet another record by raising $110,000 in pledges from more than 200 employees.

NTA celebrates grand opening of resource room

With a ceremonial coffee hour and open house Nov. 30, the NIEHS Trainees Assembly proudly opened the doors to its new resource room in the F module of Building 101.

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Jan 06, in Rodbell A 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Laboratory of Reproductive and Developmental Biology Seminar Series featuring Raj Kumar, Ph.D., speaking on “Regulation of Male Germline Stem Cell Niche by FSH”
Jan 10, in Rodbell Auditorium 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Keystone Science Lecture Seminar Series "MiniSymposium: Epigenetics, Chromatin Biology, Development, and Disease (http://tools.niehs.nih.gov/conference/dert_epigenetic/index.cfm/conference/registration/registration_id/161)," register
Jan 13 (Offsite event), in the Levine Science Research Center, Room A247, at Duke University in Durham, N.C. 12:00–1:00 p.m. — Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health Program presentation by David Armstrong, Ph.D., titled “Endocrine disruption of synaptic plasticity in the postnatal mouse hippocampus”
Jan 16, in Rodbell Auditorium 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Bisphenol A (BPA) Grantee Meeting
Jan 19, in Rodbell Auditorium 1:00–5:00 p.m. — Keystone Science Lecture Seminar Series symposium on BPA
Jan 20, in Rodbell Auditorium 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Women’s Reproductive Environmental Health Consortium Meeting
Jan 23–24, in Rodbell Auditorium 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. — Interagency Breast Cancer and Environmental Research Coordinating Committee Meeting
Jan 30, in Rodbell B 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. — Presentation by Michael Diamond, M.D., topic TBA

View More Events: NIEHS Public Calendar

Science Notebook

2011 papers of the year

Of the nearly 3,000 papers published by NIEHS-supported researchers in 2011, 23 publications were chosen as papers of the year.

Distinguished lecturer discusses the mechanism of action of amphetamine

Neuroscientist Susan Amara, Ph.D., gave a presentation Dec. 13 focused on the mechanism of action of amphetamine on dopamine and glutamate transporters.

NIEHS selects 2012 ONES awardees

NIEHS has announced funding for seven early stage tenure-track investigators as 2012 Outstanding New Environmental Scientist (ONES) awardees.

Researchers find potential new avenue for cancer therapies

The research team, comprised of scientists from NIEHS and several other institutions, published its data online in the Dec. 19 issue of The Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Seminar explores the potential of bioinformatics in autism research

Presenters outlined techniques for taking advantage of computational and screening approaches to expand the existing knowledge base surrounding autism.

Kleckner offers glimpses inside a living E. coli cell

During a Nov. 21 seminar at NIEHS, Nancy Kleckner, Ph.D., presented exciting findings from her group’s recent work on the physical biology of chromosomes.

Holian discusses lung inflammation caused by nanoparticles

NIEHS grantee Andrij Holian, Ph.D., presented the latest results from his experiments on the health and safety aspects of engineered nanomaterials Dec. 6 at NIEHS.

NTP board moves initiatives forward

Faced with a full agenda of reports and concept clearances, the NTP Board of Scientific Counselors (BSC) accomplished quite a bit during its Dec. 15, 2011, session at NIEHS.

Hundreds of rare genetic variants may cause a common autism phenotype

Catalina Betancur, M.D., Ph.D., delivered a presentation Nov. 30 at NIEHS titled “Deconstructing ‘idiopathic’ autism: One behavioral syndrome, hundreds of genes.”

NICEATM workshop report on vaccine testing now available

The NTP-sponsored workshop, which is described in the current issue of Procedia in Vaccinology, was held Sept. 14-16, 2010, at NIH in Bethesda, Md.

Stokes builds international partnerships for advancing alternative testing

Rear Adm. William Stokes, D.V.M., joined other scientists from around the world at meetings in Japan on promoting and validating alternatives to animal testing.

Casey presents at international meeting in Hungary

At an expert meeting in Budapest, Nov. 30-Dec. 2, 2011, NICEATM Assistant Director Warren Casey, Ph.D., discussed in vitro methods for identifying endocrine disruptors.

This month in EHP

The journal’s lead story for January examines a new strategy for evaluating the impact of regional and local-level climate changes on public health.

NIEHS to hold minisymposia on epigenetics and BPA research

As part of its Keystone Science Lecture Seminar Series, NIEHS will present minisymposia in January, organized by its Division of Extramural Research and Training.

Society for Investigative Dermatology to meet May 9-12 in Raleigh

A diverse group of some 1,500 M.D. and Ph.D. scientists from around the globe will gather to present and exchange findings on dermatology and skin biology.

Extramural Research

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Intramural Research

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