March 2, 2007

SAC meeting explores reaching across boundaries to meet challenges

"This is the best of times and the worst of times for biomedical research," said Peter L. Slavin, MD, president of the MGH, in his introduction to the Feb. 14 Celebration of Science symposium that kicked off the two-day annual meeting of the hospital's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). Slavin explained that expected cuts in government support for research are coming at a time when scientific opportunities to address major health issues have never been greater. The event got underway with the presentation of 157 research posters, 11 of which were named posters of distinction and are listed at www2.massgeneral.org/pubaffairs/Issues2007/030207sacawards.htm.

At the symposium, Vamsi Mootha, MD, of the MGH Center for Human Genetic Research, described the search for genetic factors that underlie disorders of the cellular energy structures called mitochondria. The challenges involved in developing cancer treatments targeted to specific genetic alterations that lead to tumor development were discussed by Daniel Haber, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Cancer Center, and Joan Brugge, PhD, head of the Department of Cell Biology at Harvard Medical School and a SAC member, outlined her work to develop new models that may improve understanding the mechanism underlying breast cancer.

The Feb. 15 SAC meeting began with an outline of the expected reduction in federal support for biomedical research. Jerrold Rosenbaum, MD, chair of the MGH Executive Committee on Research, addressed how these changes might affect the hospital, and Robert Kingston, PhD, chief of Molecular Biology and chair of the Thematic Centers Executive Committee, reviewed the centers' progress in building interdepartmental collaborations. MGH leaders and SAC members discussed resources and challenges extending across Partners, throughout Harvard and regionally, and specific attention was paid to the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center as examples of cross-institutional partnerships. The afternoon sessions included SAC members' reactions and suggestions and a review of potential efforts that institutions might take together.

"This year's meeting was an extraordinary opportunity for the MGH to reassess its place in the scientific world, its assets and opportunities, and its shared vulnerabilities to the challenges that face scientists everywhere," says Rosenbaum. "We had an exciting conversation with our SAC members, which moved from local MGH efforts to break down research silos to interinstitutional and regional opportunities to build collaborations. The SAC members were unanimous in praising the MGH for its overall research strength and vision."