News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The GlaxoSmithKline Drug Discovery and Development Research Grant Program provides funding for HIV/AIDS research, focusing on novel therapies, vaccines, and microbicides. Researchers can apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $150,000 to develop innovative treatments and submit proposals for publication.
BioTime develops products for hypothermic surgery, aiming to increase surgical time and treat cardiovascular conditions. The company received an NIH grant to further research Hetacool, which could benefit patients undergoing complex surgeries and resuscitative procedures.
Dr. Jiang's research focuses on ion channels, proteins in cell membranes controlling ion flow. He joins UT Southwestern faculty with a strong background in chemistry and postdoctoral experience.
A study comparing newspaper stories to peer-reviewed research papers found that genetic research is often sensationalized, leading to inaccurate public perception. The authors suggest that academic promotion, grant funding, and financial gain may drive the hype surrounding genetic research.
Four new research centers will bring together experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences to study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and the oceans' potential for drug discovery. The centers will accelerate scientific discovery and develop new sensors for early warning systems.
The US President's FY 2005 budget proposes significant cuts to non-defense Research and Development (R&D) programs, with some agencies facing declines of up to 28%. The largest decreases will occur in the Department of Agriculture, Department of Commerce, and National Institutes of Health.
The four new research centers will study the effects of harmful algal blooms, marine pathogens, and ocean potential for drug discovery. The combined expertise of experts in biomedical and oceanographic sciences will accelerate scientific discovery.
Researchers will analyze tumor samples, protein releases and patient responses to chemotherapy agents to develop individualized treatments. The goal is to minimize side effects while improving response based on patient chemistry and tumor type.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing 80 scientists with five-year grants to conduct basic biomedical research in their own countries. This initiative aims to combat emerging and established infectious diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, and support the development of scientific capacity in regions hit by brain drain.
The National Academies Keck FUTURES INITIATIVE provides seed funding to researchers to pursue new ideas and connections. The grants aim to bridge the gap between bold new ideas and federal funding programs, enabling researchers to develop a line of inquiry and compete for larger awards.
Researchers found that a gene variation associated with schizophrenia may have an evolutionary advantage, promoting human survival. The HOPA12pb polymorphism is more common in men and may be involved in resistance to infection and infant survival.
A recent study led by University of Rochester Medical Center professor Günter Oberdörster investigates the link between nanotechnology and human health. The research suggests that nano-sized particles may accumulate in the body and cause harmful inflammation, potentially leading to brain damage or central nervous system disorders.
The National Academies are accepting nominations for the 2004 Communication Awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in science communication. The winners will be honored at the Keck FUTURES Conference in November 2004.
A new multi-million dollar grant from Conservation International aims to save the eastern lowland gorilla by strengthening conservation efforts in the region. The investment will increase protection of over 3 million hectares, preserving a high degree of biological richness and species endemism.
Dr. Edward R. Perl, a renowned UNC neuroscientist, has been awarded the longest-running federal grant for pain research since 1957. His federally supported exploration of pain sensation's biological basis helped him become the first to document the existence of nociceptors.
The University of Hawaii has developed a mentoring relationship with the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry to address oral health disparities in Hawaii. The collaboration aims to improve the oral health status of the people of Hawaii by conducting pilot studies on mothers and their babies in rural communities.
A Wistar Institute-led team will develop blood tests to detect early lung cancer using proteomics and genomics, aiming to save lives through earlier cancer detection. The project receives $3.4M in funding from Pennsylvania's share of the national tobacco settlement.
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research has presented several awards and fellowships to dental researchers in Hawaii. These include the IADR Distinguished Service Award, E.W. Borrow Memorial Award, and William J. Gies Award, among others.
Researchers at OHSU will explore the use of evolutionary computing to analyze images and classify abnormalities in the prostate. The goal is to create a more accurate and less invasive method for detecting prostate cancer.
Researchers at Rensselaer aim to develop a key set of tools to synthesize and screen promising compounds rapidly, identifying those most suitable for further development as potential new drugs. The proposed techniques could speed up the drug development process, reducing costs from $1.7 billion to an unknown amount.
A researcher at the University of Rhode Island is studying small hydromedusae in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, to understand their impact on plankton communities. The study aims to quantify the feeding ecology and behavior of these jellyfish and its effects on coastal ecosystems.
The EMBC has agreed to a six-year budget for EMBO, providing stability for European molecular biology research. This agreement was reached after earlier proposals requested higher funding levels, but ultimately, a compromise was made to support the organization's activities and promote scientific advancements in Europe.
The US National Science Foundation (NSF) is funding sensor research to monitor environmental factors, structural integrity, and health threats. Sensor networks will enable early detection of climate change, earthquakes, and biological hazards.
Researchers aim to identify a gene on chromosome two linked to Parkinson's disease in families with multiple affected members. The study, called PROGENI, will enroll an additional 300 sibling pairs to investigate genetic risk factors for the neurodegenerative disease.
The EMBL-Hamburg-coordinated project, BIOXHIT, aims to create a common platform for European researchers in biological crystallography. The initiative combines research, networking, training, and mobility to standardize technology and reduce structure-obtaining time, attracting more researchers to the field.
The funding will support six work stations, called beam lines, at the NSLS facility to probe protein and biological molecule structures. The grants will also advance techniques for quicker and more efficient experiments.
The Mind Science Foundation has awarded seven research teams worldwide a total of $1.4 million in grants to study human consciousness. The recipients include prominent scientists and researchers from institutions such as Harvard Medical School, Oxford University, and the California Institute of Technology.
The Roche Organ Transplantation Research Foundation has awarded 11 new grants totaling 2 million Swiss francs, focusing on the understanding of rejection responses and inflammation. The grants aim to improve long-term organ survival and help more people with solid organ transplants live longer and healthier lives.
A three-year grant supports a study to prevent organ rejection in recipients by developing new white blood cells compatible with donated organs. The average survival rate for grafts is approximately 90% within the first year, but less than 50% after 10 years.
The Indiana University-Kenya AIDS program has received an expanded grant, allowing for the treatment of up to 15,000 HIV-infected individuals in rural communities. The new funding will also establish two additional rural programs and support educational initiatives for medical students and providers.
HHMI's international programs aim to train and retain young scientists, build centers of excellence, and foster public-private partnerships. The Institute has invested over $100 million to support scientific research and education in 32 countries on six continents.
Researchers at UCI are studying how acupuncture triggers physiological changes in the brain that can reverse illnesses impacting millions of Americans. The study aims to bridge the gap between Western and Eastern medicine, providing a clear medical basis for acupuncture's effects on cardiovascular ailments.
Rising star in chemistry, Jianpeng Ma, has made significant breakthroughs in understanding the structure-function relationship of biological molecules. His innovative approach uses computer simulation to explore this connection, paving the way for furthering our fundamental understanding of chemistry.
A $4 million grant aims to conserve Papua New Guinea's rainforest by discovering medicinal plants. The project seeks compounds active against tuberculosis, HIV, malaria, and cancer, with the goal of providing economic development and biodiversity conservation.
The Protein Data Bank (PDB) has received a $30 million grant from the federal government to continue its work in unlocking biological secrets. The PDB, an internet-accessible repository of 3-D models of proteins and other macromolecules, will help design new drugs that interact with these molecules.
A new interdisciplinary brain research project has been launched at the University of Illinois, using a $1.5 million Keck Foundation grant to develop tools for understanding and correcting problems in brain circuitry. The goal is to identify natural chemical signatures to restore proper wiring and functioning in malfunctioning brains.
The University of California, Irvine, has received $7 million in new grants to support plant cellular research, genome synthesis, and K-12 education through the use of mathematical modeling software. The grants aim to improve students' understanding of developmental biology and encourage more students underrepresented in the sciences.
A $2 million sorghum genome grant is funding a project to train students from diverse backgrounds in genetic analysis and presentation. The goal is to attract more scientists from underrepresented groups to plant genomics research, promoting diversity in the field.
The Indiana University-led FlyBase team will develop and maintain the public interface of the database, while the Bloomington Drosophila Stock Center will provide prized Drosophila mutants crucial to various scientific fields. Over 12,000 scientists worldwide have authored papers about Drosophila in the past.
A recent report assesses NIH-sponsored clinical research, revealing notable advancements but also areas that require improvement. The report highlights the impact of competitive loan-relief programs, increased private funding, and initiatives like the Training Curriculum in Patient-Oriented Research.
The NIH has awarded grants to institutions in the US and Puerto Rico to address health disparities affecting minority populations. The grants aim to develop sustainable, effective, and culturally appropriate prevention and intervention strategies for diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.
A new study reveals that MeCP2, a protein implicated in Rett Syndrome, regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), leading to symptoms. Researchers found that MeCP2 controls BDNF's 'off' state, but also enables its activation through temporary detachment.
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCAM) has awarded planning grants to 12 international centers for research on complementary and alternative medicine. These partnerships will allow researchers to conduct studies in unique environments and potentially lead to significant advances in global health. The grant...
The grant will enable the university to renovate historic facilities, consolidate research programs, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The center aims to address health disparities and provide guidance on bioethics research practices.
Dr. Parada, a renowned researcher, receives the American Cancer Society's Research Professorship award for his work on brain cancers and nerve growth. The five-year award provides flexible funding to enhance visibility of cancer research at UT Southwestern.
The Florida Sea Grant is supporting research to develop more efficient methods for raising marine ornamental fish, such as angelfish and anemonefish. This focus on sustainable aquaculture aims to reduce the industry's impact on coral reefs and promote environmentally friendly practices.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have received a $2.5M grant to develop software framework for analyzing high-resolution digital images from fluorescence microscopes, enabling the extraction of detailed biological information.
Georgetown University Medical Center has received a $6.5 million NIH grant to develop an innovative medical surveillance system that connects DC emergency rooms during crises. The system, known as Project Sentinel Collaboratory, will utilize the InSight real-time data repository and analyze de-identified medical information, weather, t...
The NIH has launched a $200 million grant initiative to tackle 14 grand challenges in global health, including creating effective vaccines, controlling insect-borne diseases, and improving nutrition. The program aims to engage creative minds globally to develop practical solutions to pressing health issues.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has awarded $9 million to support ongoing research on the health consequences of the 9/11 attacks. The funding will continue to study human exposures, respiratory and psychological problems, and provide education and training for workers and communities.
Dawn Wooley, a WSU researcher, is working with a team of universities to develop diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and vaccines for deadly agents and viruses. The Midwest Center of Excellence aims to create solutions to counter biological threats, with a focus on airborne agents.
A $12 million NIH grant will support interdisciplinary research on lung diseases in New Hampshire, including lung cancer and cystic fibrosis. The funding will also create infrastructure for state-of-the-art research and jobs in the local economy.
The ENCODE project aims to build a comprehensive 'parts list' of the human genome by identifying and precisely locating all functional elements. Researchers will use high-throughput methods to analyze large-scale DNA target regions, leading to a deeper understanding of human biology and new strategies for preventing and treating disease.
The PNNL proteomics resource center will utilize automated ultra-high resolution mass spectrometers to study proteins in even a single cell, shedding light on cellular function and disease progression. The center aims to develop new biomarkers for early cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Researcher Dr. Mitra has developed an optical tomography method to locate lung tumors using short-pulse lasers. The technique yields physiological information with higher resolution and a safer system than traditional methods.
Researchers will develop mathematical models to better understand coral bleaching and predict future changes. Localized warming of the world's oceans is causing thermal stress on coral reefs, leading to mass bleaching and ecosystem decline.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has awarded grants to fund the construction of six biosafety laboratories, including three NBLs and three RBLs. The new labs will provide a safe environment for scientists to conduct critical research on infectious diseases and bioterrorism.
The NIH has awarded $51 million to fund the Autoimmunity Centers of Excellence program, which aims to develop new immune-based therapies for autoimmune diseases. This expansion will enhance interactions between scientists and clinicians to accelerate translation of research findings into medical applications.
Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a bio-nano motor using virus-based proteins that can perform linear opening and closing motion. The tiny motor is small enough to line up with human hair, enabling potential use in systems for sensing temperature or position.
The Organ Transplantation Research Foundation (ROTRF) has received continued funding from Roche, a global healthcare leader. The foundation supports groundbreaking research in transplantation, aiming to improve the lives of people with transplanted organs.