News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
A University College Dublin researcher has received a European Research Council Proof of Concept grant to investigate the disruptive power of macromolecular crowding in cell culture systems. The project aims to develop novel approaches for regenerative medicine by accelerating tissue development and improving therapeutic potential.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) invested approximately $164 billion in project funding prior to first drug approval, with only 0.59% ($0.95/$164 billion) associated with patents providing market exclusivity. This research highlights the limited public interest protections for NIH-funded research on new drugs approved between 20...
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases has awarded five projects to better understand Post-treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS), which affects 10-20% of Lyme disease patients. The research will explore possible causes of persistent symptoms, including a misguided immune response and ongoing infection.
The PhRMA Foundation is launching a grant program to fund research on the use of digital health technologies in diverse populations. The program aims to advance regulatory decision-making and promote health equity. Eligible applicants must submit letters of intent by September 29, 2023.
A new study by Bentley University reveals the NIH's significant investment in pharmaceutical innovation, with $8.1 billion spent on phased clinical trials between 2010-19. The funding represents only ~10% of reported industry costs for these trials, highlighting the public sector's limited contribution to drug development.
A team of UVA Health experts warns that surgeon-scientists are struggling to obtain research funding, which could lead to a decline in innovations for patients. The researchers found that internal medicine trainees are six times more likely to secure R01 grants and career development awards.
Three University Hospitals and Case Western Reserve University research teams received $50,000 Collaborative Science Pilot Awards to explore innovative research projects. The awards aim to increase competitiveness and capacity for major external funding opportunities in key areas such as cancer, brain health and genetics.
Academic scientists will receive funding to establish a pleiotropic brain-penetrant small-molecule to impede glioblastoma and develop an epigenetic therapy for Prader-Willi syndrome. The TRxA program aims to bridge the drug development 'valley of death' and advance novel therapeutics from lab to clinical trials.
The Kessler Foundation will evaluate the long-term effects of a myoelectric orthosis on improving hand/wrist/elbow capability in individuals with spinal cord injuries. The goal is to increase muscle strength, joint range of motion, and daily task ability.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researcher Scott Forth is investigating the mechanical code underlying mitosis to combat cancer. His lab aims to determine how chromosomes are segregated during cell division, with potential insights into new diagnostics and treatments.
A German federal funding program will support a five-year research collaboration to develop specialty lipids and auxiliaries for mRNA vaccines. The project aims to enhance production capacities and improve the resilience of supply chains for future mRNA therapeutics.
The Shape Up! Keiki research study aims to create a better way to measure and describe health from body shape, focusing on identifying obesity risks in young children. Participants aged 5 years or younger will be compensated $200 for their time.
Researchers from UTEP School of Pharmacy are exploring a new treatment for vascular dementia using the NIH grant to study the biological triggers behind the condition and test the effectiveness of candidate drug ZT-1a. The treatment aims to prevent cognitive impairments in dementia patients.
A study by the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center found significant disparities in federal cancer research funding allocation. Funding for high-incidence cancers among racial and ethnic minorities is often lower than that for similar diseases affecting non-Hispanic white populations.
The Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute has received a $78.4 million NIH grant to accelerate the translation of laboratory and medical research into clinical use. The grant will support efforts to improve health and increase health equity, with a focus on addressing health disparities.
Researchers at UCSF tested a nitroglycerin patch for treating menopausal women experiencing severe hot flashes. The study found short-term improvements, but benefits did not last past 12 weeks, with some side effects reported.
UofL researchers, led by Jun Yan, will investigate the causes of immune system overresponse in COVID-19 patients, leading to severe lung disease and death. They aim to develop methods to predict, prevent or control this response with potential treatments for other conditions.
Researchers, led by Elizabeth King, aim to develop a knowledge base on complex genetic traits using fruit fly models. The project seeks to address the scientific knowledge gap in this field by focusing on interconnectedness among multiple factors.
Two researchers will receive $1 million each for their five-year studies on new medication-based approaches to repair damaged aortas, as well as the effects of exercise on healing heart muscle and brain tissue after a heart attack or stroke. The American Heart Association's Merit Award supports innovative research with high impact.
Researchers at UTHealth Houston are investigating the role of fibrin and fibrinogen in traumatic brain injury and hemorrhagic shock. The four-year grant will fund Phase II of a stem cell clinical trial evaluating whether mesenchymal stem cells reduce chronic neuroinflammatory response to traumatic brain injury.
Dr. John H. Bushweller's team at UVA Cancer Center is developing novel drugs to block abnormal proteins that cause pediatric leukemia. The new approach aims to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Luis Cuello, a professor at TTUHSC, has developed a method to express human potassium channels in bacteria, allowing for large-scale biophysical studies. This technology will be used to target several channels relevant to diseases such as epilepsy, arrhythmia, and diabetes.
Researchers at Michigan Medicine have discovered a new nutrient source that pancreatic cancer cells use to grow in the absence of glucose. Uridine is found in the tumor microenvironment and its exact source remains unknown. Blocking uridine metabolism may lead to new treatment options for pancreatic cancer.
The development of SimulScan technology will help clinicians diagnose disordered swallowing more accurately. The researchers aim to investigate how swallowing behaviors change across the lifespan to create personalized treatments for patients with dysphagia.
Researchers developed a new metric to analyze the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer progression. Normalized nerve density was found to be associated with poor survival rates for patients with tongue cancer, highlighting its potential as a tool for identifying aggressive tumors.
Gene therapy is being tested for rare skeletal dysplasia, affecting 1 in 200,000. Patients will receive a one-time infusion of viral vector containing correct gene sequence.
The SEMECO cluster aims to accelerate innovation in smart medical devices and implants using AI, modular system architecture, and dedicated microsystems. By closing the gap between technological possibilities and practical application in medicine, SEMECO seeks to develop more effective diagnostics, therapy, and innovative medicines.
Prof. Ebisuya's stem cell zoo allows for systematic comparison of embryonic development across species, shedding light on species-specific differences in pregnancy length. Her research aims to uncover the biophysical basis behind these variations.
Two NYGC research teams have been selected as grant recipients under the NIH Common Fund SMaHT Network. The first team will generate a high-quality somatic variant catalog leveraging three core sequencing assays, while the second team will develop innovative tools for studying somatic mosaicism using a single-cell multi-omics approach.
The Medicines for All Institute will work on 14 new global health projects, reducing costs of medicines for tuberculosis, malaria, HIV, and neglected tropical diseases. With the $18.7 million grant, Medicines for All aims to improve access to low-cost medications for people living with these diseases.
West Virginia University is leading a $20 million project to elevate neuroscience research, diversify the workforce, and enhance education. The initiative aims to study synaptic plasticity, expand data science education, and promote participation from underrepresented groups.
Researchers at UVA Health System have made a breakthrough discovery about the role of microglia in seizure disorders. The study suggests that enhancing microglial activity could be a promising approach to preventing and managing seizures, offering new hope for patients who don't respond to existing treatments.
A team of researchers from The Ohio State University, University of California Davis, and Virginia Commonwealth University will investigate the biological mechanisms of chronic stress's effect on cardiovascular health. They aim to identify specific interventions that can help reduce health risks associated with chronic stress.
The Texas Heart Institute and The University of Texas at Austin receive a four-year, $2.37 million NIH grant to develop injectable hydrogel electrodes for preventing and managing ventricular arrhythmias. Researchers have already demonstrated the feasibility of pacing the heart using the hydrogel in a porcine model.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.4 million Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) grant to LSU Health New Orleans. The program aims to enhance the diversity of the biomedical sciences research workforce by preparing individuals from underrepresented backgrounds for PhD degree programs.
A Texas A¼M researcher has received a $3M NSF grant to test 3D printing living matter for substituting petroleum-based plastics in packaging, furniture and construction industries. The project aims to create locally available materials that can generate domestic jobs.
Researchers have identified 11 somatic mutations in the RAS/MAPK pathway that contribute to treatment-resistant adult epilepsy, suggesting the potential for repurposed anti-cancer agents as new treatments. This study provides insight into the genetic mechanisms underlying this form of epilepsy and opens up new avenues for targeted ther...
A Bentley University study shows that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) invests similarly to the pharmaceutical industry in bringing new drugs to market. The NIH spent $187 billion on research related to FDA-approved drugs between 2010-2019, with an average investment per approved drug of $1.7 billion.
Researchers are collecting data from patients' homes to improve diagnosis and treatment of ME/CFS. The study aims to tackle the unknown causes, characteristics, and effective treatments of the disease.
A recent study led by Dr Rachael Rigby from Lancaster University found that delays in stoma reversal surgery do not impact on risk of complications or commensal microflora loss, atrophy, or scarring. However, a higher degree of microflora loss is associated with an increased risk of complications.
A new liposome-based method aims to kill periodontitis-causing leukotoxin while protecting immune cells, providing an alternative treatment for aggressive gum infections. The approach has potential applications against a range of bacteria and could help combat antibiotic resistance.
A €10M Horizon Europe grant will support the development of a clinical decision support tool using artificial intelligence to select the best treatment for each individual patient with high blood pressure. The project aims to improve patient care and reduce avoidable consequences such as heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
The inaugural Hevolution/AFAR New Investigator Awards in Aging Biology and Geroscience Research provide three-year grants of $375,000 each to support promising early career researchers worldwide. This funding will boost support for junior faculty and speed scientific discovery on the processes of aging.
A Wayne State University researcher has received a $1.95 million grant to study the regulation of inositol synthesis and its effects on essential cellular functions in human cells. The study aims to identify mechanisms that regulate inositol synthesis and determine its impact on cell signaling and metabolism.
The funding will support the development of next-generation delivery technology for mRNA vaccines and CRISPR-based genome editing. This will enable broader application of messenger RNA therapeutics, including for various diseases and immunological properties of nanoparticles.
Human macrophages use Siglec-14 receptors to recognize and engulf carbon nanotubes, leading to inflammation. The discovery could pave the way for developing safer carbon nanotubes and therapies to prevent inflammatory diseases.
A team of scientists led by Dr Gerrit Hilgen have won funding to research age-related macular degeneration, a common disease affecting over 190 million people worldwide. The £100,000 award will support the study of human induced pluripotent stem cell models and help develop new treatments for the condition.
The funding will support preclinical research using genetically modified pigs, aiming to improve compatibility and reduce immune rejection in xenotransplantation. The goal is to enable human clinical trials and address the organ shortage crisis.
Researchers developed innovative contrast-enhancing agents to tackle limitations of photoacoustic imaging, including low SNR, image contrast, and targeted delivery. The study suggests promising strategies such as photoswitching agents, near-infrared-II agents, and micromotor agents.
A WVU researcher is working on a biopsychosocial intervention to help people with chronic hip pain move and regain mobility. The intervention, called HIPS, combines mindfulness techniques like self-compassion and progressive relaxation with goal-setting and diaphragmatic breathing to reduce pain and increase physical activity.
The Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System have received a seven-year, $30 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue supporting the Harold and Muriel Block Institute for Clinical and Translational Research. The grant will advance translational science and health equity by accelerating th...
Richard McIndoe is leading a national research initiative to advance understanding of diabetes and obesity through the National Centers for Metabolic Phenotyping in Live Models of Obesity and Diabetes (MPMOD). The MPMOD initiative provides access to advanced testing services, including bariatric surgery on mice, to enable new insights ...
Women surgeons remain underrepresented among NIH-funded surgeon-scientists over a 25-year period, despite early career success in receiving funding. This disparity underscores the necessity of targeted support to create a more diverse surgical research workforce.
An international team of researchers has received $3 million to study how early gut development shapes children's health. They will collect tissue samples from diverse groups to understand the impact of environment, genetics, and other factors on gut development.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Arizona State University $90.8 million to advance x-ray science, including the construction of the world's first Compact X-ray Free Electron Laser. This technology will enable researchers to explore complex matter at atomic length and ultrafast time, paving the way for breakthroughs in human ...
The Center for C. elegans Anatomy is receiving $2.6 million in funding from the NIH to expand WormAtlas, a resource for researchers studying C. elegans and other nematodes. The expansion aims to incorporate new nematode species into the atlas, enabling comparisons between C. elegans and less-studied species.
A West Virginia University study found that patients treated for motor vehicle collision injuries during the COVID-19 pandemic used more drugs, including cannabinoids, opioids, and stimulants. The study suggests public health interventions may be needed to curb this behavior in rural areas.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has selected Cleveland Clinic for a nationwide initiative to improve how healthcare systems translate research findings to clinical practice. The initiative aims to reduce the time it takes to move discovery in research to new treatments, with an estimated lag of 17 years.
Researchers at UIC hope to understand how the human immune system regulates lung tissue and develop new treatments for conditions like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. The grant aims to create an infrastructure for collaboration among researchers studying lung endothelial cells and their role in inflammation.
A virtual care team consisting of physicians and pharmacists improved the adoption of life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure, leading to increased use of evidence-based treatments and better patient outcomes. The strategy was safe and effective, with comparable length of stay and safety events between the groups.