CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY

STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

SUMMARY MINUTES

February 26, 2007

# CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY

**STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING**

February 26, 2007\
3:00--5:00 p.m.

**Bldg. 31, Room 3C11**

**Videoconference to Frederick, Bldg. 549, Executive Board Room**

> **Members present:** Dr. Robert Wiltrout *(Chair)*
>
> Dr. Jonathan Ashwell
>
> Dr. Stephen Creekmore *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Allan Hildesheim
>
> Dr. Diana Linnekin
>
> Dr. Crystal Mackall
>
> Ms. Karen Maurey *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Joost Oppenheim
>
> Dr. Ira Pastan
>
> Dr. Marjorie Robert-Guroff
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Schlom
>
> Dr. Giorgio Trinchieri
>
> **Members absent:** Dr. Jay Berzofsky
>
> Dr. Ronald Gress
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Lifson
>
> Dr. Douglas Lowy
>
> Dr. Steven Rosenberg
>
> Dr. Dale Shoemaker
>
> Dr. Alfred Singer
>
> Dr. Dinah Singer
>
> Dr. Robert Yarchoan
>
> Dr. Howard Young
>
> Dr. Thomas Waldmann
>
> **Guests:** Dr. Petra Delgado
>
> Dr. Scott Durum
>
> Mr. Victor Lin

######### Handouts

1.  Agenda.

2.  Draft program of the CEI-sponsored "*Cancer and Inflammation"*
    meeting.

3.  Draft proposal for a *"Trans-NIH Initiative in Immunity,
    Autoimmunity, and Inflammation."*

4.  Presentation of the *"Trans-NIH Initiative in Immunity,
    Autoimmunity, and Inflammation"* proposal to the Scientific
    Directors meeting (02/07/07).

5.  Working document for the extramural Roadmap initiative:
    *Inflammation Research Program* (Fauci-Gallin Committee).

overview

The Center of Excellence in Immunology Steering Committee (CEI SC)
convened its monthly meeting on February 26, 2007, at 3:00 p.m.
Dr. Robert Wiltrout provided a brief update on this year's CCR budget.
Dr. Giorgio Trinchieri presented an updated agenda for the CEI‑sponsored
conference "*Cancer and Inflammation"*; he also described a proposal for
a *"Trans-NIH Initiative in Immunity, Autoimmunity, and Inflammation."*

general update

Dr. Wiltrout explained that the CCR's budget for this fiscal year would
be close to last year's budget. Final allocations to the Labs and
Branches are not yet available. There may yet be a need for relatively
small reductions to the operating budgets due to the increased
obligations for personnel services that CCR has continued to absorb over
the past few years.

update on the 2007 CEI-Sponsored conference *"Cancer and Inflammation"*

Dr. Trinchieri updated the CEI SC on the planning of this year's
CEI-sponsored conference *"Cancer and Inflammation,"* scheduled for
October 9 and 10 at the Masur Auditorium in Building 10. The program has
not been finalized as some of the proposed speakers are not available
and others have not yet confirmed their participation. Dr. Trinchieri
noted that the Leukocyte Biology Society meeting, scheduled immediately
after the CEI conference, would also focus on cancer and inflammation.
Although the content of this meeting overlaps with the CEI conference,
the CEI SC decided not to change the theme of the conference given that
the audiences will be different.

trans-nih initiative For Translational research in immunity,
autoimmunity, and inflammation

Dr. Trinchieri summarized a draft proposal for a *"Trans-NIH Initiative
for Translational Research in Immunity, Autoimmunity, and
Inflammation."* This proposal was recently presented at the February
2007 meeting of NIH Scientific Directors. The *Initiative* would allow
collaboration among basic immunologists and physicians who study
diseases with common pathophysiologic mechanisms but that are
historically studied by different medical specialties. Dr. Trinchieri
outlined the objectives of the *Initiative* and the structure of a
possible "Translational Center" dedicated to the *Initiative*. He also
mentioned the possibility of creating a novel Clinical Immunology
Fellowship program.

The CEI SC expressed interest in the scientific opportunities that may
derive from the *Initiative.* However, the planning of the *Initiative*
is still in a preliminary stage and it is unclear how it would be funded
and where the "Translational Center" would be located, if established.
The CEI SC noted that the goals of the *Initiative* overlap with those
of NIH's Interest Groups and discussed whether these objectives could be
accomplished in the context of a new Interest Group rather than a new
trans-NIH Initiative.

Dr. Trinchieri also mentioned that Drs. Anthony Fauci and John Gallin
have drafted a proposal for a similar program on inflammation research
within the extramural NIH Roadmap. The scientific bases for both the
program and the *Initiative* coincide, although the proposals were
independently prepared.

Dr. Wiltrout explained that Dr. Alan Krensky from Stanford University
will become Director of the NIH Office of Portfolio Analysis and
Strategic Initiatives (OPASI). The OPASI will support trans-NIH and NIH
Roadmap initiatives with the "Common Fund" established for shared NIH
needs. Dr. Krensky, an immunologist, will also become a principal
investigator in the CCR.

The meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.

Next Meeting: To be determined