Each year, NIGMS-supported scientists make major advances in understanding fundamental life processes. In the course of answering basic research questions, these investigators also increase our knowledge about the mechanisms involved in certain diseases. Other grantees develop important new tools and techniques, many of which have applications in the biotechnology industry. In recognition of the significance of their work, a number of NIGMS grantees have received the Nobel Prize and other high scientific honors.

Three divisions: Cell Biology and Biophysics; Genetics and Developmental Biology; and Pharmacology, Physiology, and Biological Chemistry support research and research training in basic biomedical science fields. The institute also has a Division of Minority Opportunities in Research, which administers a number of programs that are designed to increase the number of minority biomedical scientists. Finally, NIGMS has a Division of Extramural Activities, which handles the grant-related functions of the Institute.

NIGMS was established in 1962. In fiscal year 1995, its budget was $905 million. The vast majority of this money funds grants to scientists at universities, medical schools, hospitals, and research institutions throughout the country. At any given time, NIGMS supports over 3,300 research grants--about 14 percent of the grants funded by NIH as a whole. NIGMS also supports nearly half of the predoctoral trainees and about 30 percent of all the trainees who receive assistance from NIH.

The institute places great emphasis on the support of individual, investigator-initiated research grants. It funds a limited number of research center grants in selected fields, such as trauma and burn research and the pharmacological sciences (including anesthesiology), in which the interaction of basic and clinical researchers is critical for rapid scientific progress. In addition, NIGMS funds several research contracts that provide important resources for basic scientists.

NIGMS research training programs recognize the interdisciplinary nature of biomedical research today, and stress approaches to biological problems that cut across disciplinary and departmental lines. Such experience prepares trainees to pursue creative research careers in a wide variety of areas. Among the fields in which NIGMS has long offered institutional predoctoral training programs are the cellular, biochemical, and molecular sciences genetics the pharmacological sciences and systems and integrative biology. Another longstanding training activity, the Medical Scientist Training Program, provides investigators who can bridge the gap between basic and clinical research by supporting research training leading to the combined M.D.-Ph.D. degree. Several newer training programs were designed to capitalize on rapidly developing areas of science, including biotechnology, molecular biophysics, and the interface between the fields of chemistry and biology.

The institute supports postdoctoral research through individual fellowships in areas related to its scientific programs and institutional postdoctoral training in the fields of anesthesiology, clinical pharmacology, genetics (with an emphasis on medical genetics), and trauma and burn injury research.

NIGMS also has a Pharmacology Research Associate Program, in which postdoctoral scientists pursue research in NIH or Food and Drug Administration laboratories. It is intended for individuals with backgrounds in the basic or clinical sciences who wish to obtain advanced experience in an area of pharmacology, or for those who are already pharmacologists to gain experience in new fields.

October 17, 1962--Congress authorized establishment of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences.

January 30, 1963--The DHEW secretary, approved establishment of NIGMS.

October 8, 1963--The National Advisory General Medical Sciences Council held its first meeting.

October 13, 1982--NIGMS celebrated its 20th anniversary by establishing the DeWitt Stetten, Jr., Lecture. Dr. David S. Hogness, Stanford University, gave the first lecture.

October 1, 1989--Administration of the Minority Biomedical Research Support Program was transferred to NIGMS from the NIH Division of Research Resources.

Dr. Cassman was named acting NIGMS director on July 1, 1993.

He has served as NIGMS deputy director since 1989. His other positions within the institute include director, Biophysics and Physiological Sciences Program Branch (1985-1989) and chief, molecular basis of disease section of the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease Program Branch (1978-1984). He has also worked in the Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President, as a senior policy analyst.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, Dr. Cassman earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry in 1965 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Following a postdoctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Howard Schachman at the University of California, Berkeley, he joined the faculty of the University of California, Santa Barbara. He came to NIGMS in 1975 as a health scientist administrator in the Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease Program Branch.

He has received many honors and awards for his work at NIGMS, including the 1991 Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award and the 1983 NIH Director's Award.

The Division of Cell Biology and Biophysics seeks greater understanding of the structure and function of cells, cellular components, and the biological macromolecules that make up these components. The long-range goal of the division is to find ways to prevent, treat, and cure diseases that result from disturbed or abnormal cellular activity.

The division has two components: the Biophysics Branch and the Cell Biology Branch.

The Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology supports studies directed toward gaining a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of inheritance and development. These studies underlie the more targeted research projects supported by other NIH components. Most of the projects supported by the division make use of nonhuman model systems. It is expected that the results of these studies will lead to the eventual diagnosis, prevention, therapy, and cure of human genetic and developmental disorders.

Among the areas under active investigation are the replication, repair, and recombination of DNA the regulation of gene expression RNA processing protein synthesis extrachromosomal inheritance population genetics and evolution developmental genetics cell growth and differentiation cell cycle control rearrangement of genetic elements neuro-genetics and the genetics of behavior and chromosome organization and mechanics.

Along with its research and research training activities, the Division of Genetics and Developmental Biology supports the Human Genetic Mutant Cell Repository, a unique resource for scientists studying medical and human genetics. The repository establishes and stores well-characterized cultured cell lines representing metabolic and chromosomal disorders collected from patients and their families. These cells and DNA extracted from them, as well as somatic cell hybrids, are provided to qualified investigators at modest charge, thus permitting the researchers to study the molecular and cellular aspects of many rare genetic conditions using material that would otherwise be difficult to obtain.

Division of Minority Opportunities in Research

The Division of Minority Opportunities in Research administers research and research training programs aimed at increasing the number of minority biomedical scientists. Support is available at the high school, undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and faculty levels.

The division has three components: the Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) Branch; Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Branch; and Special Initiatives.