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RESEARCH INKLINGS MUSC Research Newsletter
MUSC Ranks 4th on Patent Power Scorecard The Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) ranks 4th on Patent Power 2014 Scorecard for Universities - scorecard analysts note MUSC's strong, first showing in the prestigious association's survey. MUSC made an impressive debut on the Patent Power 2014 Scorecard recently published by the International Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) association, with MUSC securing the No. 4 spot in the category for universities. MUSC's appearance in the top tier of the annual listing spotlights the overall strength of its patent portfolio, which is managed by MUSC Foundation for Research Development (FRD), the University's technology transfer office. Continued on page 2
Research Symposium - February 20th The Department of Medicine invites all Junior Faculty (Basic/Clinical), Fellows, Residents, Postdoctoral Fellows, Graduate and Medical Students to share their innovative research at the Department of Medicine's 9th Annual Research Day. Poster presentations will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Harper Student Center Gymnasium.
Writing the NIH Research (R) Grant On Monday, February 9, 2015 at 1:30 pm, please join the MUSC Office of Research Development as Dr. Christopher Dant presents “Writing the NIH Research (R) Grant: Strategies for Success Workshop.” Dr. Christopher C. Dant, owner of Medcom Consulting, has over 40 years’ experience and training as medical researcher, writer, and writing consultant in biopharmaceutical, government, and academic homes. The workshop will be held in the Bioengineering Building, Room 112. For more information, please contact Wanda Hutto at huttow@musc.edu.
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MUSC Ranks 4th on Patent Power 2014 Scorecard for Universities "These data reflect MUSC's growing commitment to innovation over the previous five years, a commitment that FRD will continuously support for years to come," said FRD Executive Director Michael Rusnak. Since 2005, IEEE's Spectrum magazine has published the Patent Power Scorecard, charting top U.S. portfolios in a range of sectors through an analysis of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office records for the previous year. The fourth-place showing by MUSC in 2014 marks its first appearance on the Patent Power Scorecard for Universities, Education and Training. The top three universities include No. 1 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), followed by University of California and Harvard University. MUSC's performance on the Patent Power Scorecard also gained attention in the accompanying Spectrum article, which notes "a couple of interesting movers among universities, with the University of Illinois improving from 12th to 5th, and the Medical University of South Carolina appearing for the first time, in 4th place."
The rankings take into account both portfolio size and quality. The formula to determine overall "Pipeline Power" starts with the number of U.S. patents an organization receives during the preceding year and weights that are based on metrics that reflect the growth, impact, originality and generality of the organization's patent portfolio.
CONTENTS Proposal Development Webinar
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Research Communications
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E-Commerce Platform
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New Research Resource
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E-Commerce Platform Cont’d
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Research Impact Column
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IDEA Pipeline
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NIH Important Notices
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Center for Global Health RFA
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SCTR Website & Lunch-n-Learn
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For assistance regarding technologies available for licensing, please contact the Technology Development Officer, Jesse Goodwin, PhD at goodwijs@musc.edu or 843.876.2412 or the Technology Licensing Officer, Christine Dixon Thiesing, MBA at dixonthi@musc.edu or 843.876.2260. 2
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Proposal Development Webinars The Office of Research Development (ORD) has provided a number of resources to assist with proposal preparation. The Principal Investigators Association, an independent organization, has developed a webinar series related to proposal development. The Office of Research Development has acquired a collection webinars to assist faculty in developing successful proposals. Broad topics for these one-hour sessions include: : General Proposal Development : Career Development Awards : Research Grants
: Program Project/Center Grants : Research-Related Programs
In addition, the Proposal Development Library is a repository of recent, successful proposals (e.g. R01, R03, R21, K08, K23, K99, U01, P50, R43/44) that will serve as a resource for MUSC investigators. The library includes basic, clinical, and translational applications. For the complete listing of the Proposal Development Webinar and access to the Library, please visit the ORD Proposal Development webpage.
Research Communications In an effort to streamline and increase both internal and external awareness about MUSC research enterprise faculty, successes and discoveries, we have created one email address through which that information can be collected and appropriately disseminated. Please send an email to research-comm@musc.edu with basic details of your research news and your preferred contact information. A communications expert will follow-up with you to expedite the process of sharing great news about MUSC Research to our diverse constituencies.
URC: Operations Subcommittee The Operations Sub-Committee of the University Research Council wants to hear from you. Faculty are invited to provide feedback on issues and areas of concern. A website has been developed with details on the Sub-Committee and to provide a forum to hear from research faculty. More information is available at http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/urc/index.htm.
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E-commerce Platform for Copyrighted Works and Software Introduced MUSC Foundation for Research Development (FRD) has launched an e-commerce platform that serves as a portal through which technologies such as computer software, curricula and medical assessments can be licensed, paid for and downloaded in a few simple clicks.
Purchasers can then securely pay for the product and download online. The e-commerce platform should boost utilization of MUSC technologies promoted by FRD, said Licensing and Technology Analyst Mark Pacult, who spearheaded the project. “Our site is an easy way to quickly bring MUSC inventions and tools to the community. We’ve already posted technologies ranging from cell image analysis software to a youth obesity prevention curriculum, and we are looking to build the number of offerings.”
The platform makes it easier for the public to access and purchase technologies developed at MUSC. Interested parties can search for and view the product descriptions, and at the point of purchase, digitally agree to a license agreement once they receive instructions and authorization from FRD.
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New Research Resource The Office of the Associate Provost for Research, in conjunction with the Department of Medicine, has developed a process checklist for basic science faculty transferring to the Medical University. This checklist provides information on transferring grants, preparing lab setup, and completing IBC and IACUC review submissions. More information can be found at http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/research/, and at http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/ProvostResearch/. 4
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E-commerce Platform for Copyrighted Works and Software Introduced The e-commerce platform can be accessed from the FRD online site (frd.musc.edu) by clicking “Online Licensing.” The platform went live October 1, 2014 and the listed projects have already received more than 600 page views. Most of the offerings are geared to meet the needs of medical students, academic instructors, physicians and researchers. Price points vary, with some listings offered for free. In addition to academic applications, some offerings have commercial potential. Businesses and investors interested in commercial licensing opportunities for those offerings are instructed within the listings on how to contact FRD staff directly. “FRD is responsible for the translation of all intellectual property coming from MUSC, so this e-commerce site enables us to commercialize copyrighted works to a broad audience,” said FRD Licensing Officer Christine Dixon Thiesing. “This platform will allow us to better serve the innovators at MUSC.” The e-commerce platform currently offers nine technologies: •
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Junior Doctors of Health Obesity Prevention Curriculum – An interactive, evidence-based health promotion program targeted to students of preschool to eighth grade DotQuanta Endosome Quantification Software – A platform-independent Python program that quantifies endosome formation in live cells using fluorescent microscopy image analysis
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iVital – An iOS mobile app platform to remotely monitor and manage operative cases in real-time
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Drug Reconstitution and Dilution Compendium – A comprehensive database of drug information and dilution guidelines for chemotherapy drugs and general intravenous drugs
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Gross Anatomy Video Series – A comprehensive set of bone, artery and nerve cadaver dissection videos to supplement instruction in anatomy classes
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Services, Pricing & Applications for Research Center (SPARC) – A webbased research management system that integrates research and clinical care work flows
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Research Toolkit – A web-based informational portal for scientists organizing and designing research studies
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Postpartum Assessment – An 18-point assessment guideline for a complete examination of postpartum patients by clinicians and students
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Newborn Assessment – A 32-point assessment guideline for a complete examination of a newborn by clinicians and students.
FRD is actively seeking additional MUSC content to make available through the ecommerce site. Please submit your materials to Jesse Goodwin, associate director of FRD, at goodwijs@musc.edu.
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Research Impact Column The Catalyst’s Research Impact column replaces the former Research Grants column and showcases the campus’ research community’s grant activities. There are plans to include this new feature in the Catalyst on a monthly basis. Research Impact premiered in the October 24 and December 5 issues.
Bioengineering Program; Annie Simpson, PhD, Associate Professor, Healthcare Leadership and Management, College of Health Professions; L. Ashley Cowart, PhD, Associate Professor, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Jennifer Isaacs, PhD, Associate Professor, Cell and Molecular Pharmacology; and Matthew J. Carpenter, PhD, Associate Professor, Clinical Neuroscience Division, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
MUSC Research Impact featured: Colleen Hanlon, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences; Prakash Kara, PhD, Associate Professor, Neuroscience, Ophthalmology and Clemson-MUSC
E-mail your MUSC research impact stories to Wanda Hutto (huttow@musc.edu).
IDEA
INTEGRATED DEPARTMENTAL EDUCATION FOR ADMINISTRATORS PROGRAM
Pipeline…moving information forward for MUSC Research Administrators MUSC Research Administrators have one location that contains a comprehensive set of policies and procedures, tips and tricks, templates and contacts, and other pertinent information required to prepare proposals, obtain sponsor funding and manage successful awards.
The Pipeline Subcommittee members include: Cameron Craft (Medicine), Deza M. Bonsell (Pharmacology), Kevin Hildreth (Pathology & Laboratory Medicine), and Tracey Smith (Office of the President). Each member worked collaboratively with Andrew Matthews and Bernie Jansen, web designers, from the College of Nursing to create an accordion-like folder to store well over 100 links, forms, and other resources.
This Pipeline is a bookmarkable site that assists administrators and researchers in the neverending quest for funding, and features key support services to guide University research administrators through the award life cycle. 6
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NIH Important Notices NIH Changes Guidance on Resubmission Applications The National Institutes of Health issued NIH Modification to Guidance on Marking Changes in Resubmission Applications (NOT-OD-15-030). The change is effective immediately. The December 4, 2014 NIH Guide Notice NOT-OD-15-030 states: “NIH has removed the requirement to identify ‘substantial scientific changes’ in the text of a Resubmission application by ‘bracketing, indenting, or change of typography’. Effective immediately, it is sufficient to outline the changes made to the Resubmission application in the Introduction attachment. The Introduction must include a summary of substantial additions, deletions, and changes to the application. It must also include a response to weaknesses raised in the Summary Statement. The page limit for the Introduction may not exceed one page unless indicated otherwise in the Table of Page Limits.”
NIH Pushes Back Date for New Biosketch Format The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has published Update: New Biographical Sketch Format Required for NIH and AHRQ Grant Applications Submitted for Due Dates on or After May 25, 2015 (NOT-OD-15-032). The new notice supersedes NOT-OD-15-024 that required the new biosketch format for January 25, 2015 applications. NIH and AHRQ have changed the requirement date from January 25 to May 25, 2015, to provide some latitude for applicants who have already been compiling biosketches for large grant applications with deadlines in early in 2015. NIH and AHRQ encourage applicants to use the new biosketch format for all grant and cooperative agreement applications submitted before May 25, and will require use of the new format for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2015.
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RESEARCH ADMINISTRATION UPDATES The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) hosts monthly Research Administration Updates. During these sessions, David Azbill, Assistant Director, highlights the important NIH Notices. •
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NIH simplified policy for late application submissions (NOT-OD-15039) FY15 NRSA budget levels (NOT-OD15-048) FY15 NIH salary cap (NOT-OD-15-049)
These sessions are geared toward those working in research administration at MUSC; however interested faculty members are always welcome to attend. Should anyone like to recommend a specific topic to present, please e-mail Darren McCants at mccantsd@musc.edu.
Center for Global Health Request for Applications (RFA) for Faculty Pilot Project Grants The MUSC Center for Global Health (CGH) is pleased to announce that it will fund several pilot project grants for up to $20,000 for a 12-month period. The CGH anticipate awarding between four to six grants through this funding process. Through this RFA, the CGH seeks to provide pilot funds to stimulate research in low and middle-income countries, with the larger goal of enabling investigators to leverage preliminary findings and data to become the basis of a competitive extramural research grant application. Projects that have the best potential for future growth and external funding will be prioritized for funding. Applications that include matching funds will be given preference. This funding mechanism is designed to support research in low and middle-income countries (a listing of eligible countries can be found at the World Bank website). Applicants should describe plans for how the results generated will be applied to obtain future external funding. Application deadline is March 13, 2015 at Noon.
SCTR Website Facelift Exciting news for the SCTR Institute! With the New Year comes a major website facelift! Make sure to visit http://academicdepartments.musc.edu/sctr to check out all the new enhancements!
SCTR Lunch-n-Learn The Medical University of South Carolina (Office of the Associate Provost for Research, SE VIEW, and the Office of Research Development) and Fetter Healthcare Network (FHCN) initiated a new project called the FHCN/MUSC Partnership for Education, Advocacy & Research in the Low Country of South Carolina (PEARLS) Initiative. FHCN is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center (FQCHC) network with nine sites in Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, and Dorchester counties. PEARLS provides a platform to develop a sustainable model to improve health outcomes and the quality of life for underserved patient populations by examining the most effective research and education approaches in deploying evidence-based care interventions. Through this initiative, we hope to facilitate the implementation and completion of primary care delivery research and/or education initiatives within FHCN and support joint grant applications in support of this initiative. The organizational framework of the project includes an Advisory Board, a Project Review Committee, and Coordinating Personnel (Director, Grant Writer/Developer, and Study Coordinator/Facilitator). To learn more about this collaborative research, please contact Dr. Debbie C. Bryant at bryantdc@musc.edu.