New Mexico INBRE will be able to expand its efforts to increase biomedical research capability, improve understanding of disease and treatments, plus drive science growth through its statewide network, thanks to a five-year, $18.6 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

New Mexico IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research (INBRE) is housed at New Mexico State University, and collaborates with more than 10 partner institutions across the state.  One of the goals of the funding is to continue building a nationwide, multi-disciplinary research network that will enhance the biomedical research base with lead scientists, educators and students. This grantwill also go towards promoting community engagement research, addressing health disparities in medically underserved areas and provide student research experiences through summer programs. 

The NM-INBRE conducts biomedical research in thematic research areas that include: Structure and Function of Biomolecules; Cell and Organism; Pathogens; Bioinformatics and Genomics; Community-Based Participatory Research. Projects also align with the goal of advancing clinical/translational research that have “bench to bedside” and community components, focusing on critical health problems in Brain and Behavioral Health; Cancer; Cardiovascular and Metabolic Diseases; Child Health; Environmental Health; Infectious Disease and Immunity.

This is the fourth grant renewal for the New Mexico INBRE program, which has achieved significant outcomes and impacts over the years.  Since 2001, it has funded more than 70 faculty investigators across the state, has trained more than 920 students at partner institutions and has garnered a total of $118.5 million in research funding.

For the next five years, New Mexico INBRE plans to increase the number of biomedical research projects funded, grow and sustain a competitive, biomedical research base, plus provide cohesive undergraduate and graduate training programs.