School of Medicine Basic Sciences among nation’s top NIH-funded departments with more than $65 million in FY2023

The School of Medicine Basic Sciences four departments, biochemistry, cell and developmental biology, pharmacology, and molecular physiology and biophysics, pulled in more than $65 million in National Institutes of Health funding in fiscal year 2023, as reported by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. During this period, the School of Medicine ranked 10th in the nation in total research grant support with $527.7 million.

Funding for basic science research supports the exploration of the intricate processes that cause health problems, identification of diseases in their early stages, development of treatments to cure disease, and ways to prevent the factors that cause medical conditions. Largely an indicator of an institution’s strength in biomedical research, the funding data was obtained from the Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tool from the National Institutes of Health. The NIH is the nation’s medical research agency and a leading supporter of biomedical research in the world.

Departmental Rankings and Funding Data

The following details the specific funding received by the four departments:

• Biochemistry received $14,964,584, ranking 11th
• Cell and Developmental Biology received $20,727,927, ranking third
• Pharmacology received $16,493,736, ranking ninth
• Molecular Physiology and Biophysics received $12,940,267, ranking 12th

Leadership Perspectives on Research Excellence

“We are truly grateful to the U.S. taxpayers for supporting Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center research through the National Institutes of Health. We strive to give them their money’s worth!” said Charles Sanders, Aileen M. Lange & Annie Mary Lyle Professor of Cardiovascular Research, vice dean of Basic Sciences, and professor of biochemistry. “NIH is a national treasure that not only provides treatments and cures for human disease, but creates jobs, technologies, and all sorts of other spin-off benefits that everyone benefits from.”

Biochemistry

“The NIH provides a critical source of research support for our scientists that enables the discovery of fundamental mechanisms underlying human health and disease,” said David Cortez, Richard N. Armstrong Ph.D. Professor of Innovation in Biochemistry and chair of the Department of Biochemistry. “The strong funding portfolio in the department is due to the ingenuity and determination of our exceptional faculty working jointly with staff and trainees.”

Cell and Developmental Biology

“We are excited to have retained our number three ranking among cell biology departments in the U.S., and our funding continues to trend upwards,” said Ian Macara, Louise B. McGavock Professor and chair of the Department of Cell and Developmental Biology. “These numbers reflect the very hard work by our CDB faculty, at all levels, who are doing amazing science and building highly successful, internationally recognized research groups.”

Molecular Physiology and Biophysics

“The gratifyingly high ranking we’ve maintained over the years is due both to our world-class scientists’ pioneering, field-defining discoveries and to the environment we’ve created, which fosters innovative, forward-looking ideas,” said Dr. Nancy Carrasco, Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science and chair of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics. “It’s these discoveries and this environment that are enabling us not only to be successful but to found our Center for Applied AI in Protein Dynamics.”