Newswise — How do cells know when to start copying their DNA? What do the molecules that help control mood look like? Can we improve nature’s medicines with clever, cleaner chemistry? These are just some of the questions researchers funded by NIH’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences have recently answered. For more examples, see http://www.nigms.nih.gov/News/Results/.
Understanding how life works—the goal of basic research—may not have an immediate impact on our health. But over time, this sort of study paves the way for a wealth of medical advances. Studies on how viruses infect bacteria led to the discovery of restriction enzymes, a cornerstone of the biotechnology industry. Research on how electric fields affect bacteria led to an important cancer medicine, Cisplatin. Another cancer drug, Velcade®, grew out of studies on a cellular garbage disposal system. Basic research provides other returns on investment, too. Nonmedical examples include freeze-drying, which was created to concentrate and preserve laboratory samples; laundry stain removers, meat tenderizers and other products that came from studies of digestive enzymes; and improved paternity testing and criminal forensics using a technique developed to mass-produce specific pieces of DNA for study. Basic and other types of research also provide jobs, stimulate the launch of new companies and help the U.S. maintain its global competitiveness.
Regardless of what measure is used—reduced health care costs or increased productivity from longer, healthier lives—every dollar spent on basic research yields returns ranging from $10 to more than $80.
NIGMS, which marks its 50th anniversary this year, supports about 4,700 research grants at any given time. These allow creative investigators to obtain laboratory equipment and other resources and to have the time and the freedom to pursue their curiosity. The discovery process can take decades, with each new insight adding a piece to a scientific puzzle.
Current basic research investigations with promising future applications include:
• Learning how cells move might reveal ways to stop the spread of cancer.• Studying the way cells die could open new approaches to treating diseases linked to excess cell death, like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.• Understanding the molecular differences between bacterial and human cells could point to new targets for antibiotic drugs.• Devising easy ways to synthesize natural products in the laboratory could yield better and less expensive medicines.• Exploring how the body responds to traumatic injuries could advance patient care in the emergency department.
To learn more about basic research and how its lays the foundation for better health, visit http://www.nigms.nih.gov/. If you are a reporter looking for article ideas or media resources, e-mail [email protected] or call 301-496-7301.
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