The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), a part of the National Institutes of Health that supports basic research and research training, has established two new divisions. Each will administer existing NIGMS programmes along with programmes transferred to NIGMS from the former NIH National Centre for Research Resources (NCRR).

"This reorganization will synergize and strengthen our activities in several critical mission areas," said NIGMS Acting Director Judith H. Greenberg, Ph.D. "We also look forward to working with the staff, investigators, institutions and other groups associated with the highly regarded NCRR programmes we are receiving," she added.

The new Division of Training, Workforce Development, and Diversity merges NIGMS research training programs with activities that were previously in the institute’s Division of Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE). The division also houses the Institutional Development Award programme from NCRR. It is led by former MORE Director Clifton A. Poodry, Ph.D.

"We created the new division because we recognize that training and the development of an outstanding and diverse biomedical workforce are intimately connected. The reorganization is consistent with key elements of our strategic plans and reflects input we received from many stakeholders," said Greenberg.

The new Division of Biomedical Technology, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology administers research and research training in areas that join biology with the computer sciences, engineering, mathematics and physics. It includes programs of the former NIGMS Center for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (CBCB) along with NCRR biomedical technology programs. Former CBCB Director Karin Remington, Ph.D., is the division director.

"Great progress is often made at the intersections of scientific fields, and the Division of Biomedical Technology, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology is well-positioned to facilitate just such advances," Greenberg noted.

The amount of money allocated to programmes in the new divisions will not change as a result of the reorganization or transfer of NCRR programs. Most grants in the new divisions will continue to be managed by the same staff members.