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Pew Charitable Trusts Announces 2024 Funded Biomedical Research Teams

On December 10, 2024, the Pew Charitable Trusts revealed the eight research teams that will represent the 2024 class of Innovation Fund investigators. Designed to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration among experts, the Innovation Fund serves as a platform for researchers to tackle critical questions surrounding human biology and diseases.

This year, 16 outstanding scientists, all alumni of Pew’s biomedical programs, will engage in research partnerships. Ranging from cell biology and immunology to neuroscience and genetics, the collective expertise of these teams aims to advance scientific knowledge and improve public health. Donna Frisby-Greenwood, Pew's senior vice president for Philadelphia and scientific advancement, emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary strategies to address major scientific hurdles.

The Innovation Fund's Mission

The Innovation Fund, initiated in 2017, encourages creative partnerships among scientists who have previously benefited from Pew's various biomedical initiatives. Candidates for funding include researchers with assistant professor roles or higher, aiming to foster innovative projects that break traditional academic boundaries.

Pew’s commitment to scientific advancement is further supported by the Kathryn W. Davis Peace by Pieces Fund and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative Foundation, which contributes to the current year’s projects.

Highlights of the 2024 Research Teams

Among this year’s pairs of researchers, the following notable collaborations stand out:

1. Maria Barna, Ph.D. (Stanford University) and Christine M. Dunham, Ph.D. (Emory University) will investigate how ribosomes contribute to protein synthesis, which could unveil new insights into disease alleviation.

2. Ilana L. Brito, Ph.D. (Cornell University) and Gabriel Victora, Ph.D. (The Rockefeller University) will examine the relationship between gut microbiota and intestinal immune cells at the germinal centers—critical sites for antibody production.

3. Daiana A. Capdevila, Ph.D. (Fundación Instituto Leloir) and Ana S. Peinetti, Ph.D. (CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires) will work to create a low-cost diagnostic platform for detecting viral antigens from insect-borne diseases through serum samples.

4. Kimberly L. Cooper, Ph.D. and Elizabeth Villa, Ph.D. (University of California, San Diego) aim to understand the role of chondrocytes in bone growth, a critical aspect of skeletal health.

5. K. Christopher Garcia, Ph.D. (Stanford University) and Jesse D. Bloom, Ph.D. (Fred Hutch Cancer Center) will explore protein recognition relevant to adaptive immunity and engineer antibodies to target rapidly mutating viruses.

6. Jonathon Howard, Ph.D. (Yale University) and Tomás L. Falzone, Ph.D. (IBioBA-MPSP-CONICET) will delve into the structural aspects of neurons to enhance understanding of neurodegeneration.

7. Michael S. Kuhns, Ph.D. (University of Arizona) and Nels C. Elde, Ph.D. (University of Utah) will investigate how different immune structures across species affect immunological functions.

8. Seth Rakoff-Nahoum, M.D., Ph.D. (Boston Children's Hospital) and Jing-Ke Weng, Ph.D. (Northeastern University) aim to map the complex interaction between food and health by tracking food molecule transformations within the body.

Conclusion

Founded in 1948, The Pew Charitable Trusts leverages data-driven approaches to tackle global challenges through innovative projects. By funding this year's promising collaborations, Pew is not only fostering scientific innovation but also contributing to the collective effort of enhancing human health on a broader scale. The research led here could fundamentally change our understanding of diseases and their treatment in the coming years.