**CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY**

**STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING**

**SUMMARY MINUTES**

**September 28, 2004**

# CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY

**STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING**

**September 28, 2004\
4:00 p.m. -- 6:00 p.m.**

**Bldg. 31, Room 6A35**

**Videoconference to Frederick Bldg. 549, Room A**

> **Members present:** Dr. Robert Wiltrout *(Chair)*
>
> Dr. Jonathan Ashwell
>
> Dr. Jay Berzofsky
>
> Dr. Stephen Creekmore *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Allan Hildesheim
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Lifson
>
> Dr. Diana Linnekin
>
> Dr. Douglas Lowy
>
> Dr. Ruth Nussinov
>
> Dr. Joost Oppenheim
>
> Dr. John Ortaldo
>
> Dr. Marjorie Robert-Guroff
>
> Dr. Jeffrey Schlom
>
> Dr. Thomas Waldmann
>
> **Members absent:** Dr. Betty Fitzpatrick *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Neil Goldman *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Ronald Gress
>
> Dr. Crystal Mackall
>
> Dr. Anatoli Malyguine *(Adjunct)*
>
> Ms. Karen Maurey *(Adjunct)*
>
> Dr. Ira Pastan
>
> Dr. George Pavlakis
>
> Dr. Steven Rosenberg
>
> Dr. Dale Shoemaker
>
> Dr. Alfred Singer
>
> Dr. John Wigginton
>
> Dr. Robert Yarchoan
>
> **Guests:** Dr. Petra Delgado
>
> Mr. Victor Lin
>
> **[Handouts]{.underline}:**

1.  Agenda.

2.  Revised outline of the *Center of Excellence in Immunology Report.*

3.  Draft of the advertisement for recruiting postdoctoral fellows to
    the CEI.

4.  Power Point slides on the structure of the CEI.

    **CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN IMMUNOLOGY**

# STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING

September 28, 2004

ACTION ITEMS

-   **Dr. Diana Linnekin**

    -   Prepare an initial draft of the *CEI Report* using the outline
        presented at the September 28, 2004, meeting.

-   **CEI SC members**

    -   Provide Dr. Linnekin (<dlinnekin@ncifcrf.gov>) with input on the
        different sections of the *CEI Report*.

    -   Notify Dr. Linnekin of any interest in joining a CEI SC
        subcommittee responsible for organizing CEI-sponsored meetings.

**OVERVIEW**

The Center of Excellence in Immunology Steering Committee (CEI SC)
convened for its monthly meeting on September 28, 2004, at 4:10 p.m.
Dr. Robert Wiltrout, the acting Chair, updated the Committee on the
status of several issues discussed at previous CEI SC meetings (e.g.,
Report, NCI Immunology symposia).

DISCUSSION

Dr. Wiltrout presented a series of diagrams depicting the structure of
the CEI. These charts illustrate the network of interactions that exist
between CCR laboratories, branches, and programs conducting research in
immunology, as well as the rich portfolio of this research at the NCI.
He indicated that these diagrams could be presented to the Board of
Scientific Counselors (BSC) and site visit teams to highlight the
distinct features of these laboratories, branches, and programs, as well
as demonstrate how these "work units" are integrated within the CEI and
the NCI IRP on the whole. CEI SC members agreed these diagrams are a
positive step towards representing the breadth of the research (basic,
translational, and clinical) in immunology at the NCI Intramural
Research Program (IRP). Approaches to modify these diagrams to further
illustrate the magnitude and intricacy of interaction and collaboration
among the various CCR structural components were also discussed.

Dr. Diana Linnekin summarized the revised outline of the CEI Report. The
Report will describe the immunology research conducted at the NCI IRP,
capturing its scope as well as its impact on the scientific community at
large. The Report will have an *Introduction* with an overview of the
CEI; an *Executive Summary* emphasizing the distinctiveness of the
NCI IRP and its immunology research, including future directions; and
individual sections describing the *Research at the NCI IRP in Specific
Areas of Immunology*, NCI IRP *Specific Resources,* *Programatic Future
Directions*, and a summary of the *Research of Individual Principal
Investigators organized by scientific themes.*

The CEI SC discussed means to best present an integrated description of
immunology research at the NCI IRP to the BSC as well as the extramural
research community. The CEI SC recommended that a balanced presentation
of scientific accomplishments of the NCI IRP, discussion of the distinct
features of the IRP as well as the value added to the extramural
scientific community, clear delineation of plans for improvement and
some discussion of a vision for the direction of Immunology in the NCI
IRP be included in the CEI Report.

CEI SC members commented on the unique characteristics of the immunology
research at the NCI IRP. One important function of the immunology
laboratories within the NCI IRP is generation of novel immunotherapeutic
agents that drive many grants and clinical trials in the extramural
community. Additional features discussed were a critical mass of
renowned researchers working at the NCI, opportunities for productive
collaborations, the resources available, and the ability to undertake
high-risk projects. CEI SC members underscored the importance of
collaborations between laboratories while supporting individual
creativity. Based on the number of PIs listed on published articles by
NCI IRP, CEI SC members speculated that the number of collaborations at
the NCI IRP might be greater than at other institutions. Dr. Allan
Hildesheim conveyed the interest of the NCI Division of Cancer
Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) in fostering interactions with CCR
immunologists.

Finally, the CEI SC discussed opportunities to further increase
communication among immunologists within the NCI, the NIH, and the
extramural research community. Potential options included organizing an
NCI Immunology Retreat, encouraging CEI participation in the NIH
Immunology Interest Group Retreat and/or having oral presentations or
mini-symposia at the NCI PIs' Retreat. IRP investigators could take
advantage of the various scientific events already in place (e.g.,
Immunology Faculty weekly lectures, Vaccine Working Group meetings, NIH
Immunology Retreat, and NCI PIs' Retreat) to establish contacts and
exchange ideas. In addition, the CEI SC discussed sponsoring a symposium
at the AACR annual meeting or a sponsoring a symposium at NCI. The
general consensus was that a symposium featuring Immunology at the NCI
was an excellent option.

The meeting adjourned at 5:30.

**Next Meeting: November 23, 2004**

**NIH Bldg. 10--Room 1C118**

**Videoconference to Frederick Bldg. 549-Conf. Room A**