News on the money and policy behind biomedical research. Covers foundation and career-development awards, endocrine and neuroscience funding, and university royalties.
The three-year award aims to develop an integrated approach to reliable embedded systems, considering real-time issues and resource constraints. Embedded computers are critical in various industries, including medicine and transportation, and their failure can have widespread consequences.
Researchers aim to better understand cellular immunity in fighting Alzheimer's disease using a new mouse model jointly developed by USF and the University of Pennsylvania.
Norman Pace's innovative work on microbial diversity and biochemical reactions has revolutionized the field. He is one of 23 recipients of the prestigious 2001 MacArthur Fellowship, recognizing his significant contributions to science.
Researchers investigating immune system response to serious injury, including genetic elements, in hopes of identifying proteomic and genomic markers that could predict patient risk. The team also aims to develop standard operating procedures for treating burn and trauma patients.
Five Yale researchers will continue their brain disorder research with a combined $100,000 in funding, totaling $3.9 million among 40 honored recipients. This support aims to discover causes and treatments for mental illness.
The NHGRI awarded Yale University a $15 million grant to develop new genomic approaches and understand the regulation of hundreds or thousands of genes. The team aims to elucidate the functions of unknown DNA regions in the human genome.
A pediatrician at Brenner Children's Hospital has received a $2.25 million grant to study a violence prevention program that aims to help clinicians address key areas during office visits. The program, which will enroll over 5,720 patients across 220 physician practices nationwide, seeks to maximize recruitment in minority populations.
The National Institutes of Health has awarded $45 million to establish Biomedical Research Infrastructure Networks (BRINs) in 23 under-funded states and Puerto Rico. These grants will enable institutions to develop areas of potential research, improve laboratory equipment, and recruit new faculty members.
The NIH has awarded $3.9 million in new grants to support innovative treatments for autism and establish a nationwide network of major research centers. The grants will focus on aspects such as speech therapy, imitation skills, and biological effects of medications.
Researchers will investigate the cause of substantial increases in Mnemiopsis leidyi population and determine the effects on coastal ecosystems. The study aims to understand the impacts of climate change on zooplankton populations and the local fishing industry.
The University of Washington has received grants for two genomic research centers, led by Deirdre Meldrum and Maynard Olson, respectively. These centers aim to develop new research tools and approaches to understand the human genome, with potential applications in disease diagnosis and treatment.
Invasive round gobies are interfering with mottled sculpin spawning in the Great Lakes, potentially affecting yellow perch populations. The study suggests that removing larger rocks from prime spawning sites or creating artificial shelters for sculpins could minimize goby breeding and encourage sculpin reproduction.
Cornell University researchers will create block copolymer electro-optical structures using low-cost materials and simple processing steps. The project aims to revolutionize routine lithographic nanopatterning and integrate soft materials onto silicon chips.
The grant aims to continue research into breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer's genetic basis using the Hawaii/Los Angeles Multiethnic Cohort Study. The expanded funding will enable the collection of blood samples from over 215,000 participants, providing insights into cancer risks and susceptibilities.
Boston University has received a $14 million Leadership Award to enhance its standing in biomedical engineering, while UC Davis has received a $12 million Leadership-Development Award for its visionary plan. Both institutions will use their awards to link genomics with organ-level physiology and improve medical applications.
The UC Davis Department of Biomedical Engineering has been awarded a $12 million grant by the Whitaker Foundation to support its research programs and faculty recruitment. The grant will help establish the department as a leading center for biomedical engineering in the US, with a focus on genomics and imaging technology.
Rutgers is launching a National Program of Excellence in Biomedical Computing to study the biology of transcription and gene expression. The program aims to understand the molecular mechanisms that govern gene expression, which is crucial for solving pressing human health problems such as cancer and infectious diseases.
Dr. Barr will investigate the relationship between rising acetaminophen use and a 20-year increase in asthma prevalence, exploring potential mechanisms behind the association. The research aims to inform treatment strategies and public education about pain medication use.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $12 million in grants to informal science education centers across the US. The funding will support collaborations between nature centers, schools, and community institutions to strengthen science literacy among children and families.
Virginia Tech researchers are exploring a plant-based approach to produce a human enzyme for treating Type 2 diabetes. The project aims to create a transgenic plant that can cheaply produce D-chiro inositol, which is currently synthesized through expensive and painful processes.
The SoyFACE experiment is the first test of crop growth in the presence of both increased carbon dioxide and ozone. This summer, researchers will evaluate how soybeans respond to higher CO2 levels and ozone exposure on 40 acres with 24 experimental rings.
Dr. Williams has been recognized for his work implementing better medical policy for African-American and Hispanic communities in Watts and the Greater Los Angeles area. He has raised millions of dollars for various organizations, including the King-Drew Sickle Cell Center and Association of Black Cardiologists.
Dr. Boucher is a leading researcher on cystic fibrosis, publishing over 300 articles and developing novel treatments. The University of North Carolina's genomics initiative receives $245 million in funding to advance research and therapies.
The Penn Head Injury Center will study the long-term effects of concussions with a $110,000 grant from NFL Charities. The center aims to develop new therapeutic strategies for traumatic brain injury and improve treatment outcomes.
The Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute and University at Buffalo have received $3.13 million to develop new methods for determining protein structure, crucial for designing new drugs. Researchers will use X-ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy to determine protein structures.
The university will support its new Clinical Research Scholars Program, which aims to improve patient care quality through translational research. The program will teach physicians and researchers essential skills in biostatistics, clinical epidemiology, and study design.
The Emory-led research group aims to use naturally occurring sphingolipids to develop more effective compounds for cancer prevention and treatment. Sphingolipids have shown promise in controlling certain types of cancer, and the grant will focus on developing these compounds into new anti-cancer treatments.
The Johns Hopkins Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine is working on identifying genes involved in 10 heart and lung diseases. The researchers will use DNA microarray technology to examine tissue samples from 10 patient populations.
The Bio-X program awarded nearly $3 million in grants to Stanford faculty for innovative biological projects, including a method to rapidly synthesize patient-specific vaccines and an interdisciplinary course on human pathophysiology. The grants aim to promote interdepartmental bioscience research and education in biology, medicine, co...
A Rutgers-led consortium has received a five-year, $25 million NIH grant to determine the structures and functions of proteins. The project aims to develop integrated technologies for high-throughput protein production and 3-D structure determination.
The UCSF School of Medicine has developed a radical new curriculum that integrates disciplines, introduces clinical concepts early, and expedites students' entry into patient care. The new model will replace the traditional structure and include courses taught in integrated blocks centered on clinical cases.
The Ohio Board of Regents has awarded a $321,780 grant to Case Western Reserve University's School of Medicine to enhance neurogenetics research. The medical school plans to recruit a new faculty member with expertise in neural molecular genetics and establish a neural transgenic/behavioral testing core facility.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) has awarded $15 million in grants to 45 scientists worldwide to develop new approaches for treating various infectious and parasitic diseases. The selected researchers will focus on specific diseases or study underlying biological processes to control or cure these conditions.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $50.3 million to 53 colleges and universities to expand and update laboratories, recruit new faculty members, and provide research opportunities for undergraduates. The grants support interdisciplinary programs linking biology and other fields, as well as programs attracting biology major...
A UCSD researcher has been awarded a grant to study the incidence and impact of microsatellite instability on colon cancer in African-Americans. The research aims to understand why African-Americans have a higher death rate from colorectal cancer despite lower incidence rates.
A University of Iowa biologist is studying the application of new acoustic technologies to manage gas production and potentially eliminate odors in large-scale pork production facilities. The goal is to reduce environmental impact and improve nutrient value of hog manure used in fertilizer.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute will award $16.25 million in new grants to support research by outstanding scientists in six countries, including Canada and five Latin American nations. The grants will be awarded competitively and range from $50,000 to $90,000 annually.
A University at Buffalo professor is using the case-study approach to revolutionize the teaching of science, resulting in improved student attendance and engagement rates. The grant will establish a national center for case study teaching in science, providing faculty with training and resources.
Case Western Reserve University has received a five-year, $10 million grant from the NIH to continue AIDS research that began 13 years ago. The grant enables area residents to participate in studies offering free HIV testing and newly developed drugs for treatment.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will use the grant to identify a genetic link in colon cancer development and screen more families with high risk. The study aims to uncover common genetic mutations that make individuals vulnerable to adenomatous polyps.
The University of Maryland Medical Center has received a $7.8 million NIH grant to conduct new research into alternative treatments for pain, including acupuncture and herbal remedies. The grant aims to find effective treatments for arthritis and fibromyalgia, which affect millions of Americans.
According to a NIH/NIAAA study, approximately 28.6% of U.S. children are exposed to familial alcohol dependence or abuse before age 18. Children of alcoholics face increased risk of psychopathology and medical problems, including an increased risk for developing alcohol abuse or alcoholism.
The UCSF School of Medicine has received a $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to support biomedical research and recruit top young scientists. The grant will also fund renovations and equipment for older labs, enabling researchers to set up new facilities.
The HHMI grants aim to strengthen biomedical research at medical schools, which are crucial for advancing medical knowledge. The funding will support junior faculty, pilot studies, and collaborations between basic scientists and clinical researchers.
The University at Buffalo has received a four-year, $3.8 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to develop two new research centers, including a Center for Genomics and Proteomics and a Center for Single-Molecule Biophysics. Five new faculty members will be hired to further develop this area.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been selected as one of two Regional Mutant Mouse Resource Centers by the National Institutes of Health. This grant will enable the expansion of Jackson Laboratories' capabilities to characterize, maintain, and distribute mutant mouse models to the research community. The new center w...
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards a four-year grant to expand training programs for Central and Eastern European, former Soviet Union, and Baltic scientists in specialized symposia, laboratory courses, and visiting lectureships. Over 500 participants have benefited from similar grants in Latin America.
The Ethel F. Donaghue Women's Health Investigator Program at Yale has awarded six faculty members grants to study novel approaches in women's health. Researchers will investigate gene therapy for ovarian cancer, dietary protein prevention of osteoporosis, and light therapy for depression during pregnancy.
SPARC's Scientific Communities Initiative has awarded grants worth half a million dollars to Columbia University Press's Columbia Earthscape, the California Digital Library's eScholarship, and MIT's CogNet. The grants aim to stimulate and accelerate digital science publishing ventures based in academia.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are exploring the role of aspirin and similar drugs in preventing colon cancer. They will study the mechanism of COX2 inhibition and its potential as a therapeutic target for colon cancer prevention.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $12.7 million in grants to 35 biomedical research institutions across 25 states to support science education programs in local schools. The grants will fund innovative programs, including computer-networked DNA laboratories and mentoring programs for rural and inner-city youngsters.
The university will fund studies to enhance firefighters' exercise and nutrition, prevent eating disorders and drug use among adolescent female athletes, and test random, unannounced drug testing for high school athletes. Principal investigators Linn Goldberg and Diane Elliot will lead the research.
A new report outlining alternative funding sources for medical research will be released at a congressional briefing on May 25. The report suggests funding options and models that can be used in conjunction with the current appropriations process to secure sustained, long-term funding for medical research.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute is providing $550,000 to support research opportunities for DC and suburban Maryland/Virginia school teachers. Selected teachers will gain hands-on experience in NIH laboratories and share their knowledge with students.
The Prostate Cancer Center of Excellence will focus on improving patient outcomes and offer hope to the more than 10,000 men in North Carolina diagnosed with the disease. The $5 million grant will fund new positions, labs, and studies addressing prevention and treatment aspects.
The Wildlife Conservation Society will use the grant to conduct research in three distinct ecosystems and educate decision-makers about strategies to protect natural systems. The funding aims to safeguard areas within 100 miles of New York City, benefiting both people and wildlife.
The Whitaker Foundation has awarded more than $30 million to The Johns Hopkins University and the University of California, San Diego for biomedical engineering programs. This marks the largest individual grants in its 23-year history.
The university will use the funds to enhance science classrooms, provide research opportunities, and strengthen outreach programs for middle and high schools. The grant will also support the development of a new computer laboratory and introduce active learning experiences in biology courses.
A team of researchers at Case Western Reserve University will study the inner workings of primary care practice to determine its impact on patient health. The grant-funded Center for the Value of Family Practice aims to establish a new level of scientific evidence about family- and patient-centered medical care.
The University of Illinois has received a $1.6 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to enhance its life sciences education and outreach programs, including the Hughes Undergraduate Research Fellows program and several outreach initiatives targeting underrepresented groups.