The research mission of the Department of Medicine continues to expand in basic science, clinical investigation, and informatics.  For the year 2004-2005, grants awarded total approximately $73 million dollars.  The Department receives 35% of all research dollars awarded to the School of Medicine, which is the greatest percentage of all research funding awarded to the school.  Comprising 60% of all research dollars, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) continues to be the largest source of extramural funding for the Department.  However, other federal agencies, such as the National Library of Medicine are also a significant source of extramural funding.  Nationally, the Department of Medicine is ranked 29th in NIH funding for the year 2004-05.  For the current year, the Department has recruited a number of outstanding academicians that will greatly enhance our research mission in years to come.

Highlights of research activities include many Research Centers and other topics related to research listed below.

1. Research Centers include:
   
   
   • Alcohol Research Center. The Alcohol Research Center is an interdisciplinary Specialized Research Center focusing on the biological and molecular basis for differences in the way people drink. Utilizing internationally acclaimed animal strains, the center members are mapping the genes for drinking preferences.
     
     
   • Cancer Center. Faculty at the IU Cancer Center are among the nation's leading cancer clinicians and researchers. Programs include clinical and research investigation in testicular, gynecological, gastrointestinal, prostate and urologic cancers. The Walther Oncology Center is based at the Indiana University Medical Center. The basic scientific component of the NIH-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center focuses on the cellular and molecular biology of cancer. Indiana is also the site of one of three NIH-sponsored Gene Vector Laboratories, which produces clinical grade retroviruses for human gene therapy trials.
     
     
   • Center for Aging Research. Its mission is to improve the quality of life for older Americans through interdisciplinary research that improves the health care and health information provided to older adults.
     
     
   • Center for Bioethics. Established in 2001 and directed by Dr. Eric Meslin, the center will have key roles in ethical issues in many areas including the use of genomic information and material for patient care.
     
     
   • Center for Health Services Research. Located within the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, the Center is dedicated to the study and improvement of health and health care delivery. The Institute is a division of the Regenstrief Foundation and is operated in collaboration with the Indiana University School of Medicine and the Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County.
     
     
   • Diabetes Center. One of the first sites in the United States to evaluate and use human insulin, the Indiana Diabetes Center is the only comprehensive care center in Indiana, and an internationally acclaimed research center investigating pancreatic islet transplantation and vascular biology.
     
     
   • General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). Funded by a competitive grant from the National Center for Research Resources of the National Institutes of Health, the GCRC is a major resource for supporting faculty who have Public Health Service funding for patient research.
     
     
   • Hypertension Research Center. Established in 1970 to investigate the causes and treatment of hypertension, the Center conducts research into the mechanism, results and treatment of primary and secondary forms of hypertension in humans.
     
     
   • Imaging Center. Funded in part by the Indiana Genomics Initiative (INGEN), the Center is under the direction of the Division of Nephrology and their program project on Cytoskeleton Abnormalities in Renal Ischemia. This premier imaging facility consists of a two-photon microscope, and confocal and ultraviolet microscopes.
     
     
   • Krannert Institute of Cardiology. This Center is recognized nationally for its basic and clinical research in heart arrhythmias, abnormal electrical conduits, and regeneration of heart muscle.
     
     
   • National Center of Excellence in Women's Health. Its mission is to develop a coordinated, unified framework in which to provide a state-of-the-art clinical care and research initiatives for improving women's health.
     
     
   • Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Indiana University is the only medical center in the country to have two STD centers. Investigators of the Midwest Collaborative STD Research Center study Chlamydia trachomatis, papilloma virus, H. ducreyii, gonorrhea and HIV, as well as opportunistic disease such as pneumocystis pneumonia.
     
     
   • Vascular Biology Center. The Indiana Center of Vascular Biology and Medicine (ICVBM) is committed to being a leader in research in understanding mechanisms of vascular wellness and disease, and acceleration of the development of leading-edge medical therapies to improve the care of patients with vascular problems. Comprised of nearly 30 investigators from a range of basic as well as clinical disciplines, it is well positioned to approach vascular research and development utilizing advances in genomics and molecular biology.
     
     
2. The Department is focused on faculty development, which includes programs for mentoring junior faculty.
   
   
3. Development of a Research Investigator Pathway that can culminate in a Ph.D. at the completion of subspecialty training, and a Master of Science degree in Clinical Research.
   
   
4. An established Clinical Trials Program that serves as a liaison with industrial sponsors, and outstanding training in the conduct of clinical research.
   
   
5. A separate Division of Biostatistics investigating novel methodological research as well as supporting large scale clinical trials.