NIH announces new Common Fund programs

NIH announced three new Common Fund programs focusing on emerging biotechnology research that could have a "transformative impact in five to 10 years." NIH told BioCentury it plans to spend $248 million on the Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program, which will develop high resolution neural circuit maps and neural implants that can stimulate nerves.

NIH said it does not yet have budgets for the other two programs: 4D Nucleome and Glycoscience. The 4D Nucleome will determine temporal and spatial importance of DNA nuclear organization and the role it plays in gene expression and cellular function. The Glycoscience program will develop resources to determine the importance of protein glycosylation. ...