February 15, 2002

The 55th annual meeting of the MGH Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), held Feb. 6 to 8, featured a review of the hospital’s research program and a discussion of the challenges facing its future growth. The gathering began with the annual poster session Feb. 6, at which more than 60 MGH researchers presented displays about their investigations. Thirteen presentations were named "posters of distinction," and the MGHers were joined by several James P. Timilty Middle School students who had been chosen to present their science fair projects.

At left, David Miller, PhD, neurology researcher, with his poster about a rare brain disorder.

The keynote presentation at the annual scientific symposium was made by Robert Langer, PhD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, who discussed the role of biomaterials in the development of new systems for drug delivery and of engineered replacements for key tissues and organs. Joseph Vacanti, MD, director of  Transplantation for MassGeneral Hospital for Children and of the MGH Laboratory for Organ Fabrication and Tissue Engineering, gave an overview of approaches to overcoming the key obstacle to developing living replacement organs – supplying an adequate circulatory system. Langer and Vacanti collaborate on several tissue engineering projects. Raju Kucherlapati, PhD, scientific director of the Harvard/Partners Center for Genomics and Genetics, then described how genetic studies in mice are helping researchers to unravel the genes involved in several human conditions related to chromosome 22.

The meeting of the SAC – a group of nationally distinguished scientists who advise the hospital on its research mission – took place Feb. 7. It began with reports on the steady growth of MGH research, concerns and accomplishments during the past year and the continuing search for research space. A panel discussion addressed issues affecting faculty, and updates were presented on CIMIT (Center for the Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology) and the new Center for Genomics and Genetics. The afternoon featured a closed session among members of the SAC and the Executive Committee on Research (ECOR), which addressed research planning.

John Parrish, MD, chief of MGH Dermatology and chair of ECOR (left), and Harry Orf, PhD, director of Molecular Biology Laboratories (right), with Timilty student Steve Fleureus.