News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
Boston University chemist Thomas Tullius receives NIH grant to develop ENCODE technology for mapping protein-binding sites. His research aims to decipher patterns on DNA's landscape, building tools to understand how structure affects function.
A study of 754 older adults found that illnesses and injuries leading to hospitalization accounted for 50-80% of disability outcomes. Participants who developed disability were more likely to have been hospitalized or experienced restricted activity.
Researchers aim to overcome technical hurdles in new gene sequencing technology that could make genetic medicine possible with rapid, accurate, and low-cost sequencing of single DNA molecules. The method uses Atomic Force Microscopy and cyclodextrin molecules to read the sequence of amino acid code in the human genome.
The Florida Institute of Technology has launched a hydrogen fuel cell research center with a focus on developing new mainstream energy sources. The center, which brings together faculty from various colleges, aims to pool expertise and solve complex problems in the field.
Indiana University is a national leader in new federal funding for health information technology, aiming to improve healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency. The state has received $6.5 million to develop and implement a statewide health information network.
The University of Houston has received a $2.8 million NIH grant to develop an interdisciplinary approach to scientific education, combining nanoscience and biology. The grant aims to create the first generation of nanobiologists, with students able to take full advantage of resources across six member institutions.
Rutgers University has been awarded two major NIH Roadmap grants to support the training of graduate students in proteomics and develop computational tools for understanding molecular biology. The grants aim to foster interdisciplinary research and address pressing challenges in biomedical research.
A $3 million NSF grant is enabling researchers to combine expertise and solve classification problems for flowering plants. The new system has broken up traditional groups and shuffled others, with Amborella forming the base of the tree.
Researchers at Northwestern University are developing novel biomaterials and imaging techniques to improve the survival and function of transplanted islet cells in patients with type 1 diabetes. The grant will fund efforts to create microenvironments favorable for islet survival and function via controlled delivery of biological factors.
The grant will fund research on dopamine neurons and brain adaptation in Parkinson's disease, with the goal of developing new treatments for patients. Northwestern University's expertise in neuroscience and molecular imaging will be utilized in this effort.
Cleveland stem cell investigators Stanton Gerson, George Muschler, and Jaroslaw Maciejewski received grants to study the effects of aging on blood stem cells and optimize assays for human stem cells in bone marrow. Their research aims to improve understanding of age-related diseases such as anemia and cancer.
The hospital will test a scheme to improve flu control using secure electronic health records and public-health information systems. Dr. Kenneth Mandl and Dr. Aneel Advani will lead projects to develop an automated call center for large-scale epidemiologic investigations during outbreaks.
A multidisciplinary team is investigating the impact of inflammation on taste and smell function, with potential therapeutic interventions for chemosensory dysfunction. The studies aim to improve diagnosis and treatment targeting for patients with conditions like chronic rhinosinusitis and radiation-induced taste loss.
A new partnership aims to develop nanotechnology tools for linking molecular signatures to cancer behavior and clinical outcome. Researchers will create nanoparticles for molecular profiling of cancer, as well as imaging microscopes and software integrated with nanotechnology discoveries.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have received a $5 million grant to develop new drugs targeting leukemia. The project aims to selectively inhibit altered proteins in leukemia patients, leading to improved treatment outcomes.
The UCI Brain Imaging Center will utilize advanced fMRI, PET, and DTI imaging techniques to study abnormal brain networks in schizophrenia. The goal is to identify the underlying biology of the disease and develop more effective treatments.
The four-year project aims to produce new techniques for analyzing spatio-temporal data, making it accessible to researchers, conservation biologists, educators, and citizens. The grant will integrate machine learning and modeling techniques with existing ornithology projects, increasing the power and scope of data tools.
The study will screen 5,000 patients in five adult primary care practices using the PatientSite portal. Patients who report pain, depression, or difficulty walking will receive additional information and recommendations, while those in the control group will receive usual care.
The grant aims to develop rapid, efficient methods for producing membrane protein samples for structure determination and physiological function investigation. Membrane proteins are a major target for many drugs on the market, and this research has significant medical potential.
The USC Interdisciplinary Center aims to explore new directions in stroke neurorehabilitation, focusing on rehabilitation strategies for the arm and hand in people who have survived a stroke. The team will develop novel virtual environment tests and computational models to assess and rehabilitate human functional performance.
The Schepens Eye Research Institute will combine forces with experts from other biomedical and technological fields to develop a center for curing eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The three-year grant will fund the planning and piloting phase of an interdisciplinary research center.
Researchers at UT Southwestern will examine the behavioral, metabolic, and molecular mechanisms that cause obesity and related disorders, with a focus on the brain and liver. The team aims to develop state-of-the-art research programs and translate scientific findings to humans.
Researchers led by Graham Bell discovered that increased carbon dioxide concentrations negatively impact algae growth, disproving the notion that plants absorb extra CO2. The study's findings have implications for all plant species, including agricultural ones, as fossil fuel emissions continue to rise.
HHMI and NIBIB will invest up to $35 million in interdisciplinary PhD programs to support biomedical scientists with cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills. The programs aim to prepare researchers for complex biomedical challenges.
Researchers at Penn State are part of a multi-institutional project studying restless legs syndrome (RLS), a condition characterized by creepy-crawly sensations in the legs. The study aims to explore treatment options and causes of RLS, including iron deficiency and FDA-approved pharmaceuticals.
Yale researchers have been awarded a $7.5 million grant to investigate the role of viruses in cancer development. The grant will support studies on human papillomaviruses, Epstein-Barr Virus, and Kaposi's Sarcoma Herpesvirus, focusing on viral genes and cellular pathways that lead to cancer.
A virtual zebrafish microanatomy atlas will be created with the grant, providing high-resolution files and three-dimensional images of body structures. The atlas will enable data-sharing among researchers to speed discovery in human diseases.
Research finds that higher levels of physical exercise, especially walking, are associated with improved cognitive function and reduced cognitive decline in older women. The study, involving 18,766 women aged 70-81, shows a 20% lower risk of cognitive impairment among those who engaged in moderate physical activity.
A team led by Brown ecologist will study how Arabidopsis integrates environmental signals to flower at favorable times. The research aims to improve food production, understand climate change's impact on crops and wild plants, and shed light on genetic variation.
A team of researchers, led by Himadri Pakrasi, aims to model the networks that cyanobacteria, Arabidopsis, and Physcomitrella use to cope with radicals. This study has potential applications for human biology and could lead to new therapies.
The National Science Foundation has funded six projects under its Ecology of Infectious Diseases program to understand the ecological and biological mechanisms behind relationships between human-induced environmental changes and infectious disease emergence. The research will focus on understanding disease transmission, unintended heal...
The Institute for Molecular Biophysics has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to acquire the world's first 4Pi nanoscale microscope in the US. This cutting-edge technology will enable researchers to study genes and chromosomes at unprecedented resolution, shedding light on disease mechanisms and developing new treatments.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $10 million federal grant to enhance the quality of life for head and neck cancer patients. Researchers will investigate genetic changes, intracellular signaling proteins, and new treatment strategies to reduce morbidity and mortality from head and neck cancer.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation has awarded UT Southwestern a $12 million grant to continue the Dallas Heart Study, which aims to develop new biotechnology and treatments for heart disease. The study has already made significant discoveries, including identifying key chemical signals that change stem cells into heart cells.
The ACS Petroleum Research Fund has distributed over $420 million in grants, supporting groundbreaking research in areas like drug development, catalysis, and oil exploration. The fund's impact is evident in the careers of 19 Nobel laureates and thousands of students who have benefited from its support.
The Indiana University research team aims to reduce tissue damage from shock wave lithotripsy, a common treatment for kidney stones. They're developing protocols and mathematical models to make the procedure safer and more effective.
The LSU Vet School has received a $9.9 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a Center for Experimental Infectious Disease Research. The COBRE program aims to enhance the school's research capacity and competitiveness for NIH grants, focusing on human health and comparative medicine.
A team of scientists at UNC School of Medicine is investigating the molecular basis of blood vessel aging and its role in cardiovascular disease, including heart attack. New information gleaned from this basic research could offer new treatment strategies for cardiovascular disease.
The NIH has renewed funding for Giordano's Rb2 tumor suppressing gene research at Temple University, aiming to design therapies for cancer patients. Over the past decade, Giordano's work linked Rb2 with cancer regression and effectiveness of drug therapies against breast cancer.
Rice University's 'Nanotechnology: Content and Context' course combines technical content with social context to prepare students for a future where nanotech is integral. The course, led by CBEN faculty, explores four theme areas: scale, life, risk, and environment.
The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has awarded several ultrasound research grants to its members, including $10,000 for projects on tumor perfusion and pelvic sonography. The EER also recognized Tatjana Rundek with a special one-time award for her research on carotid artery distensibility.
The University of Georgia has been awarded a $5.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop artificial chromosomes in corn, which could lead to breakthroughs in crop protection and yield improvement. The research will focus on centromeres, repetitive DNA regions that control chromosome movement during cell division.
Researchers Wade Berrettini and Irwin Lucki received Distinguished Investigator Awards to study gene identification and behavioral effects of neurotrophins. Monica Gonzalez won a Young Investigator Award to investigate the effect of long-term light deprivation on depression.
A recent study by researchers at the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology investigated potential superinfection involving variations within HIV-1B. The findings, presented at the XV International AIDS Conference, suggest that superinfection may be restricted to a short window period after seroconversion.
International bodies have struggled to agree on separating stem-cell research from reproductive cloning laws. Dr. Carol A Tauer argues that each issue should be argued on its own merits. Scientists shy away from controversial areas due to unclear funding policies, and the EU needs to break its stalemate for progress.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded Williams College a $1.6 million grant to enhance science education and research opportunities for students, faculty, and local communities. The award will support programs such as elementary school outreach, high school laboratory exercises, and student summer research initiatives.
The new Center for BioModular Microsystems at LSU will focus on micro- or nano-fabrication for biology and medical purposes. The center aims to develop state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, bringing together an interdisciplinary research team with expertise in various fields.
Three Yale researchers have been awarded grants from the Donaghue Women's Health Investigator Program to explore postpartum depression and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. These studies aim to improve treatment strategies and outcomes for women, with a focus on sex differences in health and disease.
The Center of Excellence on Restoration of Function (CERF) at Yale University has received a five-year, $4.5 million grant to study spinal cord repair. The research aims to protect, repair and support the injured nervous system, with potential breakthroughs in treating conditions like multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries.
The Center for Biosecurity at UPMC analyzed US government civilian biodefense funding from 2001 to 2005, totaling $14.5 billion. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security together account for over 90% of budgeted funds.
The Meharry-Penn State U54 Cooperative Reproductive Science Center aims to address health disparities in women's reproductive endocrinology. Four research studies currently recruiting participants will investigate racial differences in reproductive conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome and fibroids.
Researchers at UC Davis are developing a new cancer treatment that uses ultrasound to steer tiny capsules carrying cancer-fighting drugs to tumors. This approach aims to reduce the toxic side effects of current cancer treatments by concentrating the drug directly in the tumor.
The Case School of Medicine will oversee the Mt. Sinai Center for Medical Simulation, reducing medical errors that result in 100,000 deaths annually. The center will offer training for students and healthcare professionals using innovative simulation technologies.
Professor Altman's group will investigate how directly inhibiting protein subunits in human nuclear RNase P affects gene expression. The research aims to understand the basis of this observation, which has important implications for basic biological functions and disease treatments.
A team led by Evan DeLucia will use genomic technologies to understand how soybeans respond to climate change, including greenhouse gases and drought conditions. The research aims to identify key genes driving these responses and improve crop productivity.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is awarding $49.7 million in grants to support undergraduate science programs at 42 colleges across 17 states and Puerto Rico. The funding will enhance diversity and inclusion in STEM education, with a focus on underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged students.
A team of scientists from Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and Florida Atlantic University are exploring never-before-seen sections of deepwater coral reefs off Florida's east coast and the Keys. They aim to discover marine creatures that produce chemicals with the potential to cure human diseases, including cancer and Alzheimer's.
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has secured a $9 million grant to study Neurospora crassa, a fungus with significant animal, human and plant pathogens. The research will focus on understanding the genetic functions of this model organism.
The Emory research team will model disease outbreaks in hypothetical American communities to find the best methods of controlling epidemics. They will also investigate the interaction of microorganisms with the immune system and its relation to disease spread.
The Case CFAR, located in the Midwest, has been renewed with an $8 million NIH award for a five-year period. This renewal recognizes the center's strong AIDS research program and its collaboration with local and international institutions.