U's Health Center gets $34 million in stimulus funds for research

Article by: Star Tribune
Updated: November 10, 2009 - 10:21 PM

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A medical arm of the University of Minnesota has snagged more than $34 million in federal stimulus money for research projects ranging from Alzheimer's disease prevention to smoking cessation.

The university's Academic Health Center announced the 128 grants for scientists, physicians and researchers on Tuesday.

The grants will allow the university to begin research that "previously we just couldn't undertake," said Dr. Mark Paller, assistant vice president for research for the center.

According to the National Institutes of Health, $34 million will translate into a net economic gain for the center of more than $100 million, based on the formula that every $1 in spending on research generates another $2 in other spending on goods and services.

Among the biggest projects being funded, at about $1 million each, are research into Alzheimer's prevention, smoking cessation, magnetic imaging research and heart defect treatment.

According to the research center, it has received nearly half of the stimulus money sent to the university. Money from the $787 billion stimulus package also is being used to hold down student tuition and retain jobs during the next two years because of state funding cuts.

BOB VON STERNBERG