Key words: immunology, immunotoxicology, database, conferencing, tech support
Following the OS-sponsored "FDA Intramural Immunology Workshop" held in 5/95 the "Immunotoxicology Expertise Resource" was established. This database listed over 100 areas of expertise and the associated names and other info on over 70 immunologists/ immunotoxicologists in FDA who are willing to provide consultation on regulatory review questions. This system resides on the FIRSt system. The expertise locator was recently expanded the system to include an FDA-wide e-mail distribution-list capability (IMMUNOTOX.) This takes advantage of software newly available from the FDA Network Control Center.
The IMMUNOTOX distribution list enables any list member to send a message to one central address where the message will then be distributed across FDA to all list members. Thus, members can easily communicate as a group. This adds to conferencing capabilities on FIRST, where material and information can be placed to supplement IMMUNOTOX communications (such as key data charts, figures, or journal papers). An announcement on the new IMMUNOTOX peer group communication mode was made through FDA News to all Centers and Field laboratories. Over 100 laboratory and review scientists subscribed to the service, bringing the total linked community of immunologists and immunotoxicologists to over 150. The IMMUNOTOX e-mail distribution list is actively moderated such that: 1) only appropriate messages are distributed to the list (thus minimizing trivial or misrouted messages); 2) messages are well "flagged" as to contents (to provide clear, quickly-accessible information); and 3) effective communication is actively encouraged and guided (such that the format is well utilized).
Thus the FDA-wide IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY ELECTRONIC NETWORK now has three components: 1) the IMMUNOTOX distribution list, 2) the Immunotoxicology Expertise Database, and 3) Conferencing on FIRST. An additional innovative feature developed is the "Virtual Seminar." This is a series of text "presentations" of timely topics/issues of broad agency interest. This mix of communication modes is unique, and a possible model that other groups might want to follow: central conferencing for static information, a specific resource locator for identifying members of the group who are willing to assist with regulatory questions, and a proactive, moderated e-mail FDA-wide distribution list for immediate and continuing peer group connectivity. The goal of this effort is to bring laboratory and review scientists closer together, to optimize resources, and facilitate peer group formation and communication across FDA. A main product is expedition of reviews by providing ready access to a large pool of expertise in immunology/immunotoxicology.