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{{short description|Medical research agency of the US Federal Government}} {{Infobox government agency | name = National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) | seal = | logo = | formed = | jurisdiction = [[Federal Government of the United States]] | employees = | budget = | chief1_name = [[Jon Lorsch]], Ph.D. | chief1_position = Director | chief2_name = | chief2_position = | chief3_name = | chief3_position = | chief4_name = | chief4_position = | chief5_name = | chief5_position = | chief6_name = | chief6_position = | chief7_name = | chief7_position = | chief8_name = | chief8_position = | chief9_name = | chief9_position = | parent_department = [[Department of Health and Human Services]] | parent_agency = [[National Institutes of Health]] | website = {{URL|https://www.nigms.nih.gov/}} }} The '''National Institute of General Medical Sciences''' ('''NIGMS''') supports basic [[research]] that increases understanding of [[biological process]]es and lays the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. NIGMS-funded scientists investigate how living systems work at a range of levels, from molecules and cells to tissues and organs, in research organisms, humans, and populations. Additionally, to ensure the vitality and continued productivity of the research enterprise, NIGMS provides leadership in training the next generation of scientists, in enhancing the diversity of the scientific workforce, and in developing research capacity throughout the country. NIGMS is one of the [[National Institutes of Health|National Institutes of Health (NIH)]], the principal medical research agency of the [[Federal government of the United States|Federal Government]]. NIH is a component of the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|U.S. Department of Health and Human Services]]. == Research == All NIH Institutes and Centers support basic research that is relevant to the diseases, organ systems, stages of life, or populations within their mission areas. In contrast, NIGMS supports fundamental research that does not focus on those specific areas. NIGMS' research mission is aimed at understanding the principles, mechanisms, and processes that underlie living organisms, often using research models. NIGMS also supports the development of fundamental methods and new technologies to achieve its mission. NIGMS-supported research may utilize specific cells or organ systems if they serve as models for understanding general principles. Research with the overall goal to gain knowledge about a specific organ or organ system or the pathophysiology, treatment, or cure of a specific disease or condition will, in most cases, be more appropriate for another Institute or Center. See the NIH listing of Institutes, Centers, and Offices<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/list-nih-institutes-centers-offices|title=List of NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices|date=Apr 14, 2015|website=National Institutes of Health (NIH)|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> to learn more about their specific missions. NIGMS also supports research in specific clinical areas that affect multiple organ systems: anesthesiology and peri-operative pain; sepsis; clinical pharmacology that is common to multiple drugs and treatments; and trauma, burn injury, and wound healing. [[File:NIGMS Director Jon Lorsch.jpg|alt=Head shot of Dr. Jon Lorsch, director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences|thumb|210x210px|Jon Lorsch, Ph.D., director of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences]] == Organization == NIGMS is organized into the following divisions that support research, research training, and capacity building in a range of scientific fields. *Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/research-areas/areas-of-research/biophysics-biomedical-technology-and-computational-biosciences|title=Division of Biophysics, Biomedical Technology, and Computational Biosciences|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> *Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/about/overview/Pages/GMCDB.aspx|title=Division of Genetics and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> *Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/research-areas/areas-of-research/pharmacology-physiology-and-biological-chemistry|title=Division of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> *Division for Research Capacity Building<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/research-areas/areas-of-research/research-capacity-building|title=Division for Research Capacity Building (DRCB)|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> *Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/research-areas/areas-of-research/training-workforce-development-and-diversity|title=Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> == History == NIGMS was established in 1962. In Fiscal Year 2017, the institute's budget was $2.6 billion. The vast majority of this money funds [[Grant (money)|grants]] to scientists at universities, medical schools, hospitals, and other research institutions throughout the country. At any given time, NIGMS supports more than 3,000 investigators and 4,000 [[Research Grants|research grants]]—around 11 percent of the total number of research grants funded by NIH as a whole. Additionally, NIGMS supports approximately 26 percent of the NRSA trainees who receive assistance from NIH. == Publications == NIGMS produces a number of free science education materials<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/epublications.htm |title=NIGMS Electronic Publications - National Institute of General Medical Sciences |access-date=2012-05-01 |archive-date=2012-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512191526/http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/epublications.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> on topics such as [[cell biology]], [[genetics]], [[chemistry]], [[pharmacology]], [[structural biology]], and [[computational biology]]. The institute also produces the magazine ''Findings'',<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/Findings |title=Findings Home - National Institute of General Medical Sciences |access-date=2009-03-19 |archive-date=2009-02-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224150300/http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/findings/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> which showcases diverse scientists who do cutting-edge research and lead interesting lives. == Past directors == Past Directors 1962–present<ref>{{cite web|title=NIGMS Directors|url=https://www.nih.gov/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-almanac/national-institute-general-medical-sciences-nigms|website=www.nih.gov|date=9 July 2015 }}</ref> {| class=wikitable style="text-align:center" |- !Director !Took office !Left office |- |Clinton C. Powell |July 1962 |July 1964 |- |Frederick L. Stone |August 1964 |April 1970 |- |[[DeWitt Stetten Jr.]] |October 1970 |August 1974 |- |[[Ruth L. Kirschstein]] |September 1974 |July 1993 |- |Marvin Cassman (acting) |July 1993 |August 1996 |- |Marvin Cassman |August 1996 |May 2002 |- |Judith H. Greenberg (acting) |May 2002 |November 2003 |- |[[Jeremy M. Berg]] |November 2003 |July 2011 |- |Judith H. Greenberg (acting) |July 2011 |July 2013 |- |[[Jon R. Lorsch]] |August 2013 |Present |- |} == Research advances == Among the advances that scientists have made with NIGMS support are: * Discovering a gene-silencing process called RNA interference,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/pages/factsheet-rnai.aspx |title=RNA Interference Fact Sheet - National Institute of General Medical Sciences |website=www.nigms.nih.gov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511183016/http://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/Pages/factsheet-rnai.aspx |archive-date=2015-05-11}}</ref> or [[RNA interference|RNAi]], that is both a powerful research tool and a promising new approach for treating diseases. * Revealing how a protein's shape<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/structural-biology.aspx|title=Structural Biology|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> affects its function, which plays a key role in health and disease and also informs the design of new drugs. * Increasing survival from burn injury,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/burns.aspx|title=Burns|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> in part by improving methods of wound care, nutrition and infection control. * Shedding light on the critical functions of carbohydrates,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/findings/oct04/sweet.html |title=Life is Sweet |access-date=2009-03-19 |archive-date=2009-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131024842/http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/findings/oct04/sweet.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> sugar molecules found on all living cells that are vital to fertilization, inflammation, blood clotting and viral infection. * Modeling infectious disease outbreaks<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Initiatives/MIDAS/Background/Factsheet.htm |title=Modeling Infectious Diseases Fact Sheet - National Institute of General Medical Sciences |access-date=2009-03-19 |archive-date=2009-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090323181340/http://www.nigms.nih.gov/Initiatives/MIDAS/Background/Factsheet.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and the impact of interventions through computer simulations to provide valuable information to public health policymakers. * Developing new methods to look inside cells<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nigms.nih.gov/Research/specificareas/cellimaging/pages/default.aspx|title=Cellular Imaging|website=www.nigms.nih.gov|access-date=Sep 22, 2020}}</ref> and other living systems. These approaches have advanced what we know about basic life processes in a range of organisms. == Notes and references == {{Reflist}} == External links == * {{commons category-inline}} * {{official website|http://www.nigms.nih.gov }} * [https://www.usaspending.gov/federal_account/075-0851 NIGMS] account on [[USAspending.gov]] {{National Institutes of Health}} {{authority control}} {{Coord|38|59|50|N|77|5|59|W|region:US-MD|display=title}} [[Category:National Institutes of Health|General Medical Sciences]] [[Category:Medical research institutes in the United States]]
