News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Researchers are combining biology, physics, computer science, and engineering to design electric circuits that mimic the brain's adaptive behavior. The goal is to create a more efficient AI application that can learn from history and adapt without significant energy consumption.
The Center for Innovation and Translation of POC Technologies for Equitable Cancer Care will prioritize development of POC tests for oral, cervical and gastrointestinal cancers. CITEC's goal is to identify needed technologies, accelerate their development, evaluate their performance in diverse settings.
Researchers from Austria and France join forces to unravel the secrets of gene regulation during mammalian development using stem cell-derived 3D culture models. The project aims to understand how key molecular events influence gene transcription and regulation over hours and days.
A research group led by Professor Kaspar Althoefer has been awarded a €10m ERC Synergy grant to develop a revolutionary new system for screening and treating colorectal cancer. The system, which combines medical robotics, artificial intelligence, and minimally invasive surgery, aims to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
The Cumming Global Centre for Pandemic Therapeutics is offering global grants of up to $200,000 per annum for three years to develop novel therapeutics for pathogens of pandemic potential. Researchers are invited to submit expressions of interest for Round Two of the Foundation Grants program.
The partnership aims to reduce disparities in cancer research and drug development through collaborations, resources, and training programs. Key projects will focus on breast and pancreatic cancers, particularly luminal B breast cancers disproportionately affecting women of African descent.
The NYSCF – Robertson Stem Cell Investigator Awards support promising early career scientists with cutting-edge research, providing $1.5 million over five years for seed funding. The latest cohort includes three talented researchers who will join the thirteenth class of NYSCF – Robertson Stem Cell Investigators.
Alem & Narayanan receive $2,495,244 from the National Institutes of Health to enhance safety and quality of BSL-3 laboratory practices and create two new research cores in high containment. The grant will accelerate vaccine and therapeutic drug discovery and improve understanding of infectious disease transmission and pathogenesis.
The Center for Advancing Point of Care Technologies (CAPCaT) has received a five-year, $8.9 million award from the NIH to develop innovative point-of-care health technologies. The program aims to address heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders in underserved populations.
A team of researchers aims to develop drug therapies by targeting genes that affect metabolism in people with Down syndrome, potentially improving their quality of life. The project will focus on the protein SIM2, which has been linked to breast cancer and metabolic changes in individuals with the condition.
A new trial combining an Alzheimer's medication with two other drugs may amplify its effects and arrest disease progression. The trial, funded by a $150M grant, will recruit 900 participants with early-onset Alzheimer's.
TTUHSC researchers received funding for pilot studies on photothermal tumor therapy, clear cell renal cell carcinoma, and colorectal cancer screening in underserved areas. The grants support the purchase of a cell sorter and address regional health disparities.
A recent NIH grant will support research into the genetic factors contributing to cardiac arrhythmia, a condition affecting millions of Americans. The study aims to identify specific genes linked to arrhythmia risk and develop novel therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at the University of Arizona Health Sciences will train the next generation of translational scientists in Alzheimer's disease research through a $1.4 million grant. The program aims to develop highly trained, cross-disciplinary researchers to address the complex challenges of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System are developing computer models to better understand the cellular processes and gene activity of multi-drug resistant bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The goal is to identify vulnerabilities in these bacteria and advance the development of new treatments.
A study by researchers at the University of California - Riverside found that certain aspects of video game play can stimulate dopamine release and potentially aid in treating Parkinson's disease symptoms. The research suggests a promising new approach for managing the condition.
A University of Minnesota Medical School professor is receiving a $4.39 million grant to study atrial myopathy, a heart condition associated with increased risk of dementia and vascular brain injury. The project aims to characterize the progression of atrial myopathy and its relationship to dementia and mild cognitive impairment.
Fourteen early career scientists receive prestigious grants to explore topics such as aging, age-related diseases, and fundamental biology of aging. The grant program aims to extend healthy years of life through research and support promising researchers early in their careers.
The Keck School of Medicine of USC has received a $2 million grant from the California Institute of Regenerative Medicine to further enhance its cutting-edge cGMP Laboratory. The funding will support the adoption of advanced technologies, including an electronic quality management system and optimized cell therapy manufacturing processes.
Researchers developed a novel approach to predict therapeutic targets for aging and age-related diseases. They trained a domain-specific BioGPT model on biomedical literature, which improved its performance in identifying prospective targets.
Armida Labs, a UCR-founded pharmaceutical company, has received a $400,000 NIH Small Business Innovation Research grant to develop its breakthrough pancreatic cancer therapy Targefrin. The grant will enable the company to gather industry-standard data for human clinical trials.
Jennifer Hurley, Ph.D., is investigating how the 24-hour cycle affects human health and has been granted $2.1 million over five years from the National Institutes of Health. Disruptions to circadian rhythms have been linked to serious medical conditions such as neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
A new NIH grant will investigate the impact of combined alcohol and e-cigarette use on the blood brain barrier, a cell layer regulating substance passage into the central nervous system. The study aims to identify mechanisms behind damage and potential biomarkers for clinical use.
Researchers have identified a specific error in the NOTCH1 gene that causes rare kidney cancer reninoma. The study found that using existing drugs targeting this gene could serve as an alternative treatment for patients where surgery is not recommended.
Research found ginger consumption makes neutrophils more resistant to NETosis, a process that contributes to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Ginger supplementation also boosted chemical levels in neutrophils, inhibiting NETosis in response to disease-relevant stimuli.
Preeclampsia, a major cause of maternal mortality, has increased by 37% in Texas since 2017. A new $1.47 million NIH grant will support research initiatives to address preeclampsia rates in six Panhandle counties.
Researchers at U of A are developing an AI-powered system to analyze cardiac images, enabling clinicians to diagnose heart disease more accurately. The project aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve patient outcomes, with potential global implications.
The UMass Amherst-UT Austin team has been awarded $27.5 million by the CDC to establish the nation's first disease outbreak response and modeling network. The $250 million program will support decision makers during public health emergencies like COVID-19.
The NY Genome Center will use patient-derived stem cells models combined with functional genomics and genome engineering to shed light on the biological processes underlying bipolar disorder. The study aims to address gaps in knowledge of genetic risk for bipolar disorder and advance treatment strategies.
A machine learning algorithm identified patterns in citations to prioritize important contributions, revealing NIH-funded basic science accounts for 30% of substantive research. Federal funding for basic research is crucial for stimulating clinical research, according to the analysis.
A five-year, $6.15-million NIH grant has enabled six North Carolina institutions to collaborate on advancing the science of nephrology, hematology, and urology. The NC KUH TRIO Program aims to train the next generation of researchers and foster academic and professional development across disciplines and institutions.
A team of UC researchers, led by Ashley Kubley, have received a $2.5 million state grant to continue research on improving firefighter protective gear. The project aims to develop a firefighter jacket liner that brings down body temperature through advanced cooling technology and protects against external hazards.
The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has received a $54 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to advance clinical and translational science. The grant will enable the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CCTSI) to translate discoveries into better health and patient care across the state.
A UMass Amherst neuroscientist is mapping the brain of a sea slug to study how neurons are added to functional neural circuits, shedding light on how this process contributes to neurological conditions. The project aims to provide an unprecedented look at brain development and potentially inform human brain development.
The Louisiana Clinical & Translational Science Center has received a $1.3 million NIH grant to support the creation of a network of data warehouses for healthcare providers and researchers in Baton Rouge. The project aims to enhance research capacity, address health care disparities, and improve patient engagement.
CityU and AFCR have signed a MoU to promote cutting-edge cancer-related innovative inventions and commercialization. The partnership aims to foster the development of biomedicine and related innovation, with world-leading scholars from Harvard Medical School attending the inaugural 'Innovation Series in Biomedicine' forum.
A 12.3% increase in blood pressure control was achieved among at-risk populations through community-based, self-measured blood pressure control programs. These programs, implemented in partnership with patients and healthcare professionals, utilized evidence-based interventions to address the needs of disproportionately affected groups.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has awarded a five-year grant to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers to better define the role of XPO1 in cancer. XPO1 is a nuclear export protein shown to play a role in many cancer types, including solid tumors and blood cancers.
Johns Hopkins Medicine will improve clinical trial efficiency and quality with a $24.5M grant, reducing startup time by up to 50% and enhancing participant engagement. The Trial Innovation Center will develop new methods for multicenter trials, including AI-enhanced patient screening and gamification.
Clarissa Campbell and Barbara Maier receive prestigious ERC Starting Grants for their research on the interplay between the immune system and metabolism, as well as the role of lymph nodes in cancer. The grants will support their work on understanding immune cells in the gut and the crosstalk between tumors and lymph nodes.
A team of researchers at Dartmouth's Geisel School of Medicine has been awarded a $16.2 million grant to study inequities in healthcare for adults with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, with a focus on racialized and marginalized populations. The five-year renewal grant will explore how intersecting identities affect treatment...
A study found that distributing small amounts of funding to a large number of researchers generates more new results and innovations than concentrating funds on a few excellent researchers. Research funding above 50 million yen leads to stagnant results, highlighting the importance of efficient allocation strategies.
University of Louisville researchers have received a five-year, $11.7 million National Institutes of Health grant to investigate the connection between microorganisms and disease. The study will focus on various chronic conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, diabetes, periodontitis, and colorectal cancer.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio will leverage the funding to translate scientific discoveries into therapeutic benefits, with a focus on reducing health disparities among Mexican Americans, active military personnel, and veterans. The research aims to push ideas along toward national application in the clin...
The Wang Lab at MPFI will investigate neural circuits underlying Alzheimer's disease with a new $1.038M NIH grant. The research aims to shed light on how the brain forms and maintains memories, particularly in patients with declining cholinergic inputs.
A Texas A&M University team is exploring 3D printing to create tailored medication dosage and tablet size for young children, addressing the need for greater flexibility in administering medications. The project aims to maintain drugs' integrity and effectiveness while advancing the field of pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Scientists have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect cells using multiple entry points beyond ACE2, explaining its ability to jump between species. This finding highlights the need for continued monitoring of coronaviruses and their potential to cause future pandemics.
Researchers created a database linking utility patents and NIH funding to assess translational efficiency. The Translational Ratio metric provides insights into patenting efficiency and its impact on drug innovation and treatment development. Institutions with strong engineering operations tend to be more successful in producing patents.
Researchers at West Virginia University are tracing the cause of diabetic heart disease using diabetic animal models to examine mitochondrial function. They hope to understand how faulty protein import affects the mitochondria and explore potential treatments to improve energy production and reduce cardiovascular risk.
A new Northwestern Medicine study measures resilience in biomedical scientists during COVID-19, revealing that resiliency did not guarantee career advancement. The study found that women scientists faced greater household responsibilities and social pressure to advance their careers, leading to significant career setbacks.
The USC NRV Center performs complex revascularization procedures and conducts innovative research to treat debilitating conditions. The center will use the funding to enhance clinical care and education with a focus on technological innovation.
Rice University scientists have developed a tiny, flexible spinal probe system that can record high-quality data from spinal cord neurons and provide localized stimulation. The new tool aims to improve our understanding of spinal cord function and potentially bring new hope to patients with injuries or conditions.
A large study found that fully vaccinated individuals have lower concentrations of inflammatory markers than unvaccinated participants after symptomatic COVID-19 infection. This suggests that vaccination significantly reduces morbidity and mortality by reducing elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines.
The Kennesaw State University's BRITE program aims to diversify the biomedical engineering field by recruiting students from underrepresented groups. Students will participate in clinical settings, receive faculty mentoring, and work on interdisciplinary research teams.
Researchers found that translating consent documents can discourage investigators from recruiting patients with limited English proficiency, contributing to low rates of participation from underrepresented groups. By relieving investigators of these costs, studies can become more inclusive and results more accurate and generalizable.
Researchers aim to treat pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma by targeting amino acid transporter SLC6A14 and compensatory nutrient scavenging mechanisms autophagy and macropinocytosis. Using alpha-methyl-L-tryptophan and hydroxychlorquine, the study seeks to improve therapeutic outcomes in patients with pancreatic cancer.
The traditional rating approach has limitations, including relying solely on reviewer ratings and summary statistics to establish funding priorities. Researchers propose adding rankings to improve this process.
Researchers aim to investigate the link between gut microbes and Type 1 diabetes. Emrah Altindis's lab seeks to understand how a protein found in certain bacteria may trigger the onset of T1D.
Dr. Prachi Singh of Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a $3.7 million grant from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to investigate the cardiovascular risks associated with limited sleep and extended eating duration.
Researchers found a genetic link that explains how certain individuals store fat at the abdomen but remain protected from type 2 diabetes. This discovery could pave the way for personalized medicine, tailoring treatments to individual genetic variations.