September 29, 1992, NIH Record, Vol. XLIV, No. 20

September 29, l ')')2 Vol. XLIV No. 20 "Still U.S. Department of Health The Second and Human Services Best Thing About Payday" National Institutes of Health 'At the Crossroads... ' Conte Building Dedicated NIH Hosts Groundbreaking Amid Fond Remembrances Ceremony for Natcher Bldg. By Rich McManus By Carla Garnett e was a hearty, funloving, passionate, bout 5 weeks ago, Rep. William H. Hstubborn man, but this last quality A Natcher (D-Ky.) was taking a walk proved most important for Rep. Silvio 0. through his home district when he met an Conte, the late Massachusetts legislator in elderly man he had known for several years. As whose memory the recently completed Bldg. 49 Natcher spoke, one could imagine the man bent was dedicated on Sept. 17. at the waist, shuffling along with the aid of a For the better part of two decades, Conte cane and obviously in very poor health. struggled in Congress to obtain funds for However, Natcher said, the old man was lucid increased pediatric research at NIH. His enough not only to recognize and greet his Rep. William H. Natcher ofKentucky shares a tenacity was rewarded in 1988 when ground congressman, but also to offer him some sage light moment with NIH director Dr. Bernadine was broken for the Child Health and Neuro advice. Healy during the groundbreaking ceremony held sciences Building, now known as the Silvio 0. 'Tm 70 years old now," the constituent said, Sept. I I-his 83rd birthday-forthe NIH Conte Bldg. adopting a paternal tone, "and look at me. I'm campus building that will bear his name. 'This didn't come easy," said Rep. Joe Early not well. When you get to be my age I want (D-Mass.), a longtime friend of Conte's who you to take better care of yourself than I have." spoke at the dedication. "Twelve years ago, a The octagenarian congressman nodded, bill for this building was knocked out of the accepting this wisdom with an inner smile and House by a member from Missouri, whom I engraving the encounter in his long-term won't name. memory. "I promised him I would," he said. "But Corinne," he said, addressing Conte's A fit and grinning Natcher relished retelling wife, "how proud Silvio would be today. He this story at NIH on Sept. 11, the day he told me this was his biggest thrill, the finest turned 83 and the day ground was broken for thing that ever happened to him." the campus building that will bear his name and Early, as devoid of pretense as the man he legacy. came to honor, reenacted for the crowd of NIH "I have always believed that if you take care of officials what he imagined Conte's reaction the health of your people and educate your would be were he still alive: (See NATCHER, Page 10) (See CONTE, Page 4) Nursing Research in Action Researchers Bank on NIGMS Cell Repository, Now Age 20 NCNR's Intramural Program Moves Ahead in Third Year By Ann Dieffenbach I t may be a bank, but it receives interest By June Wyman from its customers-scientific interest, that Corinne Conte, widow of Rep. Silvio Conte (R 0 ne day each month, Ron Wilson (an is. The NIGMS Human Genetic Mutant Cell Mass.), unveils the plaque that adorns the new alias) flies from his home in Orlando to the NIH Clinical Center and pumps iron before Repository, which is 20 years old in 1992, is an research facility at NIH named after her husband, an audience. As the audience watches intently important resource for scientists working to a longtime champion in Congress ofbiomedical and records his time, Wilson gets up from a understand basic genetic and cellular processes, research. Looking on is NIHdirector Dr. prone position, walks 30 feet, lifts weights, and as well as diseases in which these processes go Bernadine Healy, who remembered Rep. Conte as climbs stairs. awry. a vigorous defender of the American famil,y, Wilson is being studied by nurse researchers The repository provides researchers with well particularly children. characterized, uncontaminated cell lines on the intramural staff of the National Center representing genetic diseases and disorders with for Nursing Research. The main purpose of his a genetic component. The collection also CFC Kickoff Set for Oct. 14 trips is to receive AZT treatment for HIV contains cells from apparently normal individu The annual Combined Federal Campaign infection as part of an NIAID clinical trial. But als, which can serve as experimental controls. kickoffwill be held on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at he also participates in an NCNR study of how Using cells from the NIGMS repository, 11:45 a.m. in front of Bldg. 1. Fun, food and muscle weakness affects the lives of HIV scientists have made major findings about the entertainment will be offered to all who infected patients. genes involved in a variety of diseases including attend. The NIH Health's Angels will Now in its third year, NCNR's intramural Huntington's disease, cystic fibrosis, Duchenne sponsor its annual RunlWalk, t-shirts and program is pioneering a kind of research that muscular dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa, race registrations forwhich are available at focuses more on patients' problems and familial hypercholesterolemia, and R&W stores. A free rafflewill include such experiences than on their disease or its treat neurofibromatosis. prizes as a 20-inch color 1V, courtesy of ment. "We'll often study something that's a problem Filling a Need GEICO, two round-trip airfares on USAir, Cineplex Odeon movie tickets, and a pair of for the patient, like fatigue or night sweats," The idea for a cell repository grew out of Washington Capitals hockey tickets. See you explained Dr. Mary E. Ropka, director of the changes in scientific research that took place there! program. "The goal is to make patients' lives (See CELL BANK, Page 6) (See NURSING RESEARCH, Page 8) The Record page 2 September 29, I 992 NCl's PDQ Has New Editor The NCI recently announced that Dr. Daniel G. Haller, program leader for clinical oncology research at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center, Philadelphia, is the new editor in-chief of the PDQ editorial board. A member of the board for more than 3 years, he believes that "PDQ represents an unparalleled opportu nity to access timely and important cancer information." He succeeds Dr. Robert C. Young, president of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, who had served 8 years on the editorial board, 5 of them as editor-in-chief. PDQ is a database that contains information Newly appointed PDQ editor-in-chiefDr. Daniel Haller (far l) meets with former editors-in-chief Drs. about state-of-the-art cancer treatment, ongoing Robert Young and Daniel Ihde and !CIC Director Susan Hubbard at a recent board meeting. clinical trials, as well as closed clinical trials, and a directory of oncologic specialists and organiza tions providing cancer care in the United States. 80 formsof cancer and can be accessed in a available through the CancerFax computer, The editorial board meets monthly to review variety of ways by physicians and patients, as 402-5874. Information from the database can and update the database. The board was well as nurses, social workers, and medical also be accessed through CancerNet, ICIC's established in 1984 with Dr. Daniel Ihde, now writers. PDQ is maintained by staff at the newest service, using the electronic mail services deputy director of NCI, as the first editor-in International Cancer Information Center of Internet or BITNET. Internet users may chief of PDQ. At present, the core board (ICIC), headquartered in NCI's Bloch Bldg., send a message to- consists of 21 cancer specialists in adult cancers; located at the edge of the campus on Old cancernet@icicb. nci. nih. gov-with a blank it is supplemented by pediatric, early detection/ Georgetown Rd. subject line and the word HELP in the body of prevention, and supportive care boards. A Widely accessible, PDQ is available through a the mail message. Within 10 minutes, board to develop a file of investigational drugs personal computer with a modem and through CancerNet will send a return mail message is expected to convene later this year. CD-ROM. For those who do not have access containing instructions for accessing PDQ NINOSPDQ contains Honors information Summer on approximatelyStudents to a computer, PDQ information is also information. For general information about PDQ or how to use it, call the Cancer Information Service, 1- The National Institute of Neurological 800-4-CANCER, CancerFax at 301-402-5874, Disorders and Stroke honored 39 of the or ICIC at 496-7403. 0 students working in the NINDS Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences at the recent 8th annual Summer Student Awards TheNIH Record Ceremony. Published biweekly at Bethesda, Md., by the Editorial The program provides an opportunity for Operations Branch, Division of Public Information, for students to participate in research involving all the information of employees of the National Institutes of aspects of the brain and nervous system. Each Health, Department of Health and Human Services, and year, the institute acknowledges students who circulated to nonemployees by subscription only through have done exceptional work in this program. the Government Printing Office. The content is reprintable without permission. Pictures may be available on request. The students received letters of commendation Use of funds forprinting this periodical has been approved or award packages that included a certificate, by the director of the Office of Management and Budget textbook and paperweight. through September 30, 1992. Recipients of the Exceptional Summer NIH Record Office Correspondents: Student Award included: Jack Chen, Scott Bldg.

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