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2009 Liaison With Industry Committee Report
Symposia 2009: At EB 2009, the LWIC-sponsored symposium, titled,
“Molecular Imaging of Physiological Processes in Drug Discovery” was held
April 21, 2009. This symposium focused on molecular imaging, a process that
unites molecular biology and in vivo imaging, and enables non-invasive
visualization of cellular and molecular physiological processes in living
organisms. This rapidly evolving field has applicability to drug discovery
ranging from obtaining global views of target tissues and drug actions, to
target identification and localization, as well as non-invasive imaging of
pathophysiologic processes in tissues and organ systems. Speakers were H.
William Strauss, Adriana Maggi, Paul Acton and Chris Reutelingsperger.
Topics covered included: recent developments in molecular imaging and their
impact on drug discovery; the current and future application of reporter
animals for drug discovery; functional molecular imaging in translational
research; and the advances made towards the potential clinical applications
of molecular imaging in pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular
diseases. This is the ninth symposium sponsored by the Committee. The topic
had not been previously presented as an oral symposium at EB, and the topic
was perceived as timely due to recent technological advances and
applications of these approaches to better understanding pathophysiological
mechanisms.
At EB 2009, the LWIC co-sponsored the Translational Physiology symposium
entitled: “Fibrosis: Signaling, Physiology and Therapies,” held the morning
of April 20, 2009. This symposium presented the mechanisms underlying tissue
fibrosis associated with several end-stage organ diseases, including hepatic
cirrhosis, cardiac diastolic dysfunction, and end-stage renal disease and
displayed the “bench-to-bedside” scope of translational research in this
constellation of unmet medical needs. The speakers were Scott Friedman, Eric
Neilson, Scott Loning, and Kevin Brown; the topics covered were the key
signaling pathways associated with fibrosis in multiple tissues, epithelial-tomesenchymal
transition mediated fibrogenesis in kidney and lung, the similarities and
differences associated with current small molecule and biologic therapies;
and the successes and challenges that fibrotic therapies are experiencing in
the clinic.
Novel Disease Model Award: The award recognizes one graduate student
($500) and one postdoctoral fellow ($800) submitting the best abstract
describing a disease model that is novel or promises application to the drug
discovery process. Four students and three postdocs applied (a total of 8
abstracts were received in 2008, a decrease of one from last year). The top
two abstracts included a student and a postdoc, and awards in both
categories were given. To try to increase the number of applications,
Committee members will submit a flyer with description of the NDM to
departments where each earned their PhD, as well as departments where they
recruit postdocs. Other mechanisms conceived to increase submissions to the
NDM award include contacting the APS Trainee Advisory Committee and having
each committee member write a paragraph for the sectional newsletter to be
included under the heading of “Awards.” For the 2009 award process, the
Committee amended the application to require inclusion of a cover letter
with the submitted abstract that details: 1) why the applicant’s disease
model or approach is novel; 2) how the model may enable new or more
efficient drug discovery investigation; and 3) the applicant’s technical and
conceptual contributions to the abstract. The requested additional
information has enabled better and more appropriate evaluation of the
applications.
Symposia for EB 2010: The LWIC will continue its annual tradition of
sponsoring high quality symposia relevant to industry and academic
scientists. The Committee proposed a symposium on “Novel Approaches for the
Treatment of Heart Failure” for EB 2010. The symposium is co-chaired by
Maggie Alonso-Galacia and Craig Plato. The Committee also proposed a
Translational Physiology symposium on “Integrins: New Insights and
Therapeutic Targets.” The symposium will be chaired by Shaila Bassavappa.
Committee Name Change and Perceptions of Physiologists in Industry
Survey: The Committee has requested and received approval from Council
to change the Committee’s name to “Physiologists in Industry Committee” (PIC).This
name would be a more accurate reflection of the Committee’s membership and
responsibilities. During its recent meeting, the Committee deemed that many
concerns stem from how industry researchers perceive those working in
industry; and that the first step should be to learn what those perceptions
are and then work to resolve those perceptions. The Committee drafted a
survey entitled, “Beliefs/Perceptions Regarding Industry Physiologists.”
Paper versions of that survey were distributed at EB ’09 in New Orleans.
Additional copies of the survey were distributed at the APS Summer Research
Conference in Colorado. While it is recognized that the survey likely did
not query a normal distribution of the APS membership, it is believed that
the initial sampling would inform the Committee in regards to the
perceptions of industry physiologists. The results of the survey will be
used to refine and submit an electronic version of the survey to the entire
APS membership. The Committee has revised it mission statement and it has
been posted on the PIC web page.
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