UNC's Medical Biomolecular Research Building, now under construction, will house the Department of Genetics and the newly created Carolina Center for Genome Sciences.

New Biomedical Research Centers Cut Across Traditional Departmental Boundaries
Multimillion-dollar biomedical research centers cropping up across the country in the wake of the human genome mapping are requiring new levels of multidisciplinary collaborations.

Development Assumes a Prominent Place on Medical School Agenda
In the face of diminishing federal and state funding, academic medical centers are placing unprecedented emphasis on development as the key to securing essential support.

AAMC Names Members of Task Force on Financial Conflicts of Interest l
Clinical investigators; patient representatives; ethicists; medical school, teaching hospital, and university leaders; and individuals from industry, the legal profession, and the media are among the 28 members the AAMC has named to its newly formed Task Force on Financial Conflicts of Interest in Clinical Research.

AAMC Reporter Sponsors
4th Annual Photography Competition

The fourth annual competition will feature creative photography that reflects the theme "The Healing Touch: Making a Difference in the Lives of Patients." Medical students and residents are encouraged to submit their original photographs that illustrate service to patients and the community as a whole. The grand prize winner will receive $500!

Collaborations Key in Innovative CME Programs
In Pennsylvania, four medical schools have combined their continuing medical education (CME) expertise to form a consortium that aims to strengthen educational programs throughout the state.

New Association to Accredit Human Research Protection Programs
David Korn, M.D., had reservations at first. In general, universities are not eager to embrace yet another accreditation process. He knew from his years spent as dean of the Stanford University School of Medicine that seeking campus-wide or school accreditation is often a long, tedious, and expensive ordeal. But clearly something had to be done.

Looking for a Few Good Books?
Searching for something to tuck in your beach bag? Academic medicine leaders recommend books both personally and professionally enlightening.

Readers Respond

The AAMC and several other national organizations have announced their support for new accrediting body for human research participant programs, a concept also recently endorsed by the Institute of Medicine. What impact will an accrediting effort have on clinical research?

Web Watch

Finding More on Stem Cell Research
The issue of stem cell research is heating up in Washington, and all over the country. The Web site for the Coalition for the Advancement of Medical Research (CAMR), of which the AAMC is a member, provides an easy way for individuals to let Congress and the administration hear their views on this issue. In three steps, visitors can use a template to send the administration a message. The Web site also includes background information about the debate over stem cell research.

Have you found or created an exciting Web site that might be useful to colleagues in academic medicine. Tell us about it: E-mail
Jennifer Proctor.

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