February 14, 2003

SAC meeting examines future of MGH research

The future of research at the MGH was a major theme of the 56th annual meeting of the hospital's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which took place Feb. 5 to 7. Several presentations and discussions focused on the four research centers that will be housed in the new Charles River Plaza building (see Jan. 31 issue of Hotline).

The program began Feb. 5 with a poster session featuring presentations by more than 70 MGH researchers. Nine were named "posters of distinction." Six students from the Timilty Middle School also presented science fair projects.

Eric Rosenthal, left, with Lee Schwamm, MD, at the SAC poster session.

At the scientific symposium that followed, Wylie Vale, PhD, of the Salk Institute, discussed studies of the body's stress response. New research center directors Brian Seed, PhD, and David Scadden, MD, respectively, discussed how new technologies will help researchers meet the challenges of 21st century science and the potential of research into hematopoietic (blood-cell-forming) stem cells. James Gusella, PhD, director of the Center for Human Genetics, used his group's work on Huntington's disease as an example of how genetics has the potential to lead to improved treatments.

The SAC meeting Feb. 6 began with reports from Ronald Newbower, PhD, senior vice president for Research and Technology, and Richard Bringhurst, MD, senior vice president for Medical Services, on the state of MGH research and the planning process for the new facility. Eugene Braunwald, MD, Partners vice president of Academic Programs, discussed the work of the Partners Research Strategy Committee; Raju Kucherlapati, PhD, scientific director of the Harvard/Partners Genetics and Genomics Center, outlined the center's accomplishments; and Henry Chueh, MD, of the Laboratory of Computer Science, demonstrated the new Research Patient Data Registry.

A session on faculty issues described the successful efforts of the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Office for Women's Careers. The afternoon focused on the new research centers, with the directors each presenting their vision for the centers' focus and direction.