A strong crowd of Members of Congress, Hill staff, reporters and NIH/medical research supporters filled the Congressional Budget Committee hearing room on Capitol Hill today to hear UMR’s panel discussion about the need and benefits of steady increases in NIH funding, over time.

Michelle McMurry, MD, PhD, of the Aspen Institute Speaks about the Promise of Pharmacogenomics

Speakers touched on the needs of scientific research including the long-term investment that science requires to deliver real benefits to society.  And they discussed the passion and comittment of young scientists – who are those most likely to bring forward groundbreaking new discoveries – but who most often remain unfunded.

The discussion also touched upon the immense opportunities and new demands that arise out of $10bn in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding for NIH.

Dr. Valle, MD, Professor & Director of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins Speaks About Opportunities and Demands of ARRA Funding

Finally, panelists gave us a glimpse into the future – speaking about some of the most promising areas of life sciences research – including pharmacogenomics and new channels into cancer research  that will lead to significant new treatments.

A transcript, full video and more info about the event will be available soon.

Kacy Redd, PhD and APLU Policy Research Associate and Jeff Liberman, host of Discovery Channel's Time Warp

Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP Deputy Chief Medical Officer, American Cancer Society discussed long-term investments in life sciences and the potential for newly-identified channels in cancer research.

United for Medical Research will be holding its inaugural event on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.  on June 22, 2009.

The advocacy coalition will be hosting a panel discussion on the value of life sciences research conducted by the National Institutes of Health from 1 pm to 2 pm in Room 210 of the Cannon House Office Building on Capitol Hill.

“NIH Research Driving the Life Sciences Century” will include representatives across scientific disciplines and biomedical advocacy communities, and will address the importance of steady increase of federal funding for the National Institutes of Health over the long term.

The panelists are expected to discuss the potential breakthroughs that can come because of a unique moment in the history of science.  The mapping of the human genome and advances in our understanding of the way life works have pushed us into a new phase of biological study.

Today, scientists know exactly where to look to find cures.  The discussion will address the importance of steady increases in federal funding to ensure we reap the full benefits of what could be “The Life Sciences Century.”

Event details follow.

“NIH Research Driving the Life Sciences Century”
Monday, June 22, 2009
1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Cannon House Office Building – Room 210

Featuring:

Jeff Lieberman, moderator
Host of Discovery Channel’s Time Warp

J. Leonard Lichtenfeld, MD, MACP
Deputy Chief Medical Officer
American Cancer Society

Michelle McMurry MD, PhD
Health, Biomedical Science, and Society Policy Program Director
Aspen Institute

Kacy Redd, PhD
Research Associate, Science & Mathematics Education Policy
Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

David Valle, MD
Henry J. Knott Professor and Director
McKusick-Nathans Institute of Genetic Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine