News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The Emory-led consortium aims to study the entire range of human immune responses, from laboratory to clinic, to develop new vaccines addressing emerging infections and biothreats. Scientists will use genomics and proteomics to analyze vaccine-induced innate and adaptive immune responses.
A new study aims to determine which assay is most effective in providing accurate CD4 cell counts in HIV positive patients in rural countries. The research, led by a Rush University Medical Center scientist, tests three different assays to assess CD4 cell counts and could help improve treatment outcomes for millions worldwide.
Two new centers will explore modular biology and biological circuits in human cells, aiming to unravel complex patterns of biological interactions. Researchers from diverse fields will work together to solve today's most challenging problems in biomedicine.
Researchers at UIC aim to develop new drugs to combat engineered strains of Bacillus anthracis, a serious threat that can cause widespread disease and death. The four-and-a-half-year program will integrate multiple strategies to find novel antimicrobials and direct inhibitors against the anthrax toxin.
Purdue biologists will conduct basic research on viruses and develop antiviral compounds using advanced technology, aiming to enhance the national defense effort and address emerging infectious diseases. The grants could also support the creation of a new facility for structural biology at Purdue.
The University of Georgia has received a $6.7M grant to develop technologies for mapping the glycome of stem cell lines established by Bresagen. This research will lead to the isolation of specific nerve cells for Parkinson's treatment and new ways to diagnose and treat cancer.
The University of Pittsburgh has received two grants to investigate an experimental device that aims to improve the quality of organs from brain-dead donors. The study, led by Dr. John A. Kellum and Dr. Michael DeVita, will evaluate the effectiveness of CytoSorb in reducing cytokines that compromise organ function.
The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is launching a new program to support interdisciplinary research on infectious diseases, with eight regional centers expected to be established. The program aims to develop new therapies, vaccines, diagnostics, and tools to combat bioterrorism and emerging diseases.
Scientists at the Pittsburgh Development Center are working towards cloning nonhuman primates, overcoming fundamental molecular obstacles first reported in 2003. The goal is to generate at least 10 cloned nonhuman primates and produce identical offspring through embryo splitting for studying human diseases.
Two collaborative research projects on drug addiction and postpartum depression have been awarded funding. The studies will investigate sex-based differences in gene expression and the effect of estrogen on treatment response.
Researchers estimate that by mid-century, up to 16 million Americans will have Alzheimer's disease, with significant increases in prevalence among the oldest age group. Increasing funding for research is critical to prevent the disease or delay its onset and avoid devastating economic costs.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center has been awarded a $13 million SPORE grant to support innovative research in breast cancer. The grant will fund four scientific projects and six core facilities, focusing on identifying molecular targets for lung, breast, and colorectal cancer.
The consortium aims to identify and measure all lipid types within a cell, improving understanding of their role in diseases. This knowledge will help develop more effective diagnostic devices and treatments for conditions like cardiovascular disease and inflammatory disorders.
A study by March of Dimes found that funded junior scientists were more likely to publish and contribute to scientific discoveries. The organization's grant program successfully invested in talented researchers who went on to make significant contributions.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a nearly $5 million grant to the University of Pittsburgh's McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine. The project aims to develop tissue-engineered treatments that can help patients with heart failure regenerate their own components and repair damaged heart muscle.
A new three-year grant will help researchers better understand the causes and risk factors of ALS, a neurodegenerative disease that affects 30,000 people in the US. The study aims to investigate the link between a genetic mutation called Hfe and the onset and progression of ALS.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $102 million in grants to small businesses for innovative research projects focused on energy, environmental, and national security. The selected companies will explore the feasibility of their proposed innovations over the next year and may apply for further funding.
A joint U.S.-Georgian team aims to develop a novel treatment against bacterial pathogens causing salmonella infection. The grant supports phage therapy research to prevent massive outbreaks and address growing antibiotic resistance.
NASA has awarded a total of $28 million in research grants to study the effectiveness of existing materials and develop new, multifunctional spacecraft materials with high radiation shielding capabilities. The grants will help reduce crew health risks from space radiation and improve understanding of radiation health effects.
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist has received a five-year federal grant to develop a model tobacco intervention curriculum, covering smoking and smokeless tobacco use. The program aims to integrate the curriculum into all four years of medical school curricula and will incorporate culturally sensitive strategies.
The McGill University Health Centre has received significant funding for health research, with approximately thirty-five percent of grant applications awarded. Researchers such as Dr. Sam David and Dr. William Muller will investigate regeneration in the spinal cord and study the molecular basis of breast cancer development.
A multidisciplinary research team led by IUB evolutionary geneticist Michael Lynch will study the genetic mechanisms of recombination in Daphnia. The grant aims to understand this critical phenomenon in the life cycles of all sexual organisms and its impact on human diversity.
The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and EMBO have agreed on a framework for cooperation, paving the way for formal agreements among member states. This development is expected to strengthen bioscience research in Europe, with the aim of supporting innovative projects and promoting collaboration.
The Wake Forest Problem-Based Learning Center has received a $539,352 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support teacher professional development. The center's program, which uses problem-based learning to engage students in real-world science and math projects, has shown remarkable success, with 97% of tracked students ...
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded grants to promote science education and literacy in diverse communities. Programs will engage students and teachers from underrepresented groups and focus on standards-based learning.
The team has produced a complete and accurate rice genome sequence, which will help improve crop yields and feed the world's population. The achievement is made possible by Rutgers' participation in Reinvest in Rutgers program, funded by the state of New Jersey.
The Russell Berrie Foundation gift will support cellular therapy research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, aiming to restore body tissues and cure or ameliorate diabetes. The program seeks to engineer cells to produce insulin, potentially sparing patients from daily injections and devastating complications.
Two Penn researchers, Mitchell Lazar and Virginia Lee, have been awarded $500K Bristol-Myers Squibb unrestricted research grants to support their groundbreaking work in hormone regulation and Alzheimer's disease. The grants will further enable them to focus on translating their findings into medical practice.
The Women's Entrepreneurial Life Science Initiative (WELSI) aims to address the disparity in venture capital funding between men and women. Recently, WELSI signed its first two women-led companies, one using nanotechnology for infectious diseases and cancer, and another developing software for medical image archiving.
The Vanderbilt Meharry Developmental Center for AIDS Research aims to advance treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS through collaboration and education. The center will focus on racial disparities and minority populations, building on existing collaborations between the two institutions.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded grants to support six new autism research centers. The centers, led by renowned experts in the field, will focus on understanding brain abnormalities, diagnosis, early detection, prevention, and treatment of individuals with autism. This major network of centers aims to reduce the bur...
HHMI has awarded $10.4 million to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) and $8.2 million to Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) to support graduate courses spanning biological disciplines and computational sciences. The grants will support high-quality courses that significantly impact participants' careers.
The UC Riverside Department of Biology has received a $953,000 GAANN grant to support K-12 outreach efforts. The grant will enable approximately 30 graduate students to participate in research and teaching opportunities while focusing on their Ph.D. degrees.
The LiveActor system uses optical motion capture and stereo projection to create a fully immersive environment, enabling users to interact with virtual characters and objects in unprecedented ways. This technology has the potential to revolutionize industries such as entertainment, education, and therapy.
A recent study published in Malaria Journal found that current funding for the Roll Back Malaria movement is less than 7% of what is needed to achieve its goals. The authors recommend increasing aid and implementing more transparent reporting by donors to ensure the project's success.
Dr. Alan Wilman is developing a new MRI technique that provides highly detailed images of blood vessels, allowing doctors to diagnose conditions like heart attacks and strokes earlier. His goal is to create a safer and cheaper alternative that can help prevent deaths by aiding in early diagnosis.
Researchers will evaluate patients in West Virginia clinics to determine the impact of environmental, social, and economic factors on oral health. The study aims to identify risk factors contributing to high oral disease incidence in Appalachia.
A $10 million grant will fund a new prostate cancer research consortium led by Emory University, comprising 13 universities from eight states. The consortium aims to identify new therapeutic targets for advanced prostate cancer treatment.
Columbia University's Center for Community Health Partnerships will explore ways to improve health in minority populations through community-based research and collaborations. Researchers will develop a four-year cultural competency curriculum and support training programs for medical students and minority investigators.
Marine geologists will study Kick'em Jenny, a highly active volcano in the Caribbean, using advanced instrumentation and technologies. The two-week research cruise will investigate the volcano's acoustic signals, biological communities, and geological features.
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been awarded a federal grant to monitor the nation's blood supply for new infectious agents, particularly relevant for thalassemia patients who require frequent blood transfusions. The program will also expand its efforts to identify new patients with thalassemia and provide comprehensive ser...
Researchers are conducting a nationwide study to develop more personalized care for older adults with epilepsy. The study will consider factors like age, gender, and biological makeup to optimize treatment outcomes.
Researchers are studying the efficacy of bovine growth hormone in tilapia aquaculture and developing methods for its treatment. Additionally, computer models predict physical impacts of offshore dredging on coastal beaches, and a new publication from Delaware Sea Grant examines port security measures.
The NIH is set to advance science and improve public health through a new initiative that focuses on multidisciplinary teams and cross-cutting initiatives. The plan aims to tackle pressing biomedical challenges by integrating multiple disciplines and addressing public concerns.
The LabWrite Web site provides step-by-step instruction on writing lab reports, including goal-setting, data organization, and visualization. Students using the tool showed statistically significant improvement in lab-report scores and attitudes toward lab reports.
The research aims to identify key players in the innate immune system and study gene expression patterns triggered by microbial invasion. The grant will support a systems biology approach to understand how the system behaves as a whole, ultimately informing novel hypotheses.
Otter populations are declining due to parasite infections, with 60% of dead otters infected. The parasite is spread through storm drains and creeks, affecting water quality. Invasive fish like ruffe and gobies also pressure yellow perch in Lake Michigan, depleting resources for sport fishing.
NCCAM is offering grants to establish new research centers focused on complementary and alternative medicine. The centers will support program project grants, developmental cooperative agreements, and planning grants for international institutions.
The U.S. Cochrane Center at Brown University will facilitate the merger of three regional centers into a single center, expanding healthcare information and education. The new structure aims to provide high-quality information to consumers, doctors, and policy-makers worldwide.
Paul Chirik has been recognized with the NSF's Early Career Award for his innovative work in synthetic chemistry. His research focuses on using transition metal complexes to expand the scope of chemical reactions, leading to the discovery of a new method for activating atmospheric nitrogen.
Researchers will investigate brain structures controlling responses to rewarding stimuli and their role in mood regulation. The goal is to develop new treatments for depression, which affects 20% of Americans.
The study aims to understand the burden of neurological disease in people living with HIV and inform effective management strategies. A cross-sectional study will assess prevalence and features of neurocognitive-behavioral complications, while a subset of patients will be followed over time to monitor health status.
Scientists are using species profiling to help prevent invasive fish introductions into the Great Lakes and other waterways. A new method has been discovered to detect skin diseases in fish using a fluorescent dye.
The UGA Center for International Trade and Security has received over $3 million in grants to conduct research on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The center will examine international efforts to control the spread of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
The grant will fund research and development projects to create virtual exercise environments, adapt fitness equipment for individuals with disabilities, and promote tele-exercise. The goal is to overcome barriers and increase demand for accessible equipment and facilities.
A Rutgers-led consortium has received $6.5 million in funding from the NIH to determine the three-dimensional structure of hundreds of new proteins. The project aims to make protein structure determination less expensive and develop new techniques.
The Bio-X program has awarded grants to 21 new interdisciplinary research projects, including the development of an artificial cornea and a wireless gastric endocapsule. These projects aim to boost collaborations among faculty, students, and staff across departments and schools.
Researchers will use infrared spectroscopy to identify mutant genes affecting plant cell wall architecture in Arabidopsis and maize. The goal is to determine the function of all genes involved in plant cell walls, potentially leading to improvements in food-derived health benefits and product durability.
The new center will focus on developing hormonal methods for effective and reversible male contraception, with potential health benefits such as preventing prostate disease. The program supports interactive research projects aiming to develop clinically useful products for people of different backgrounds and ages.
A national effort is underway to study traumatic injury and develop evidence-based treatments. The project will compile extensive databases and standardize care procedures to help physicians choose the best treatment for each patient.