The National Institute of 
General Medical Sciences 
(NIGMS) is unique among 
the components of the 
National Institutes of 
Health (NIH) in that its 
main mission is the 
advancement of the basic 
biomedical sciences. It 
supports selected research 
and research training 
programs in areas that 
underlie all medical 
investigation, such as 
cellular and molecular 
biology and genetics. 
Knowledge resulting from 
this work contributes 
directly to the progress of 
research on specific 
diseases in the other 
components of NIH. 
NIGMS also develops and 
supports interdisciplinary 
studies in biophysics, 
pharmacology, biological 
chemistry, physiology, and 
developmental biology. 
Ylany of the researchers 
mentioned in this 
brochure worked with 
NIGMS support. 
