COLUMBIA, MO. -- One of the largest medical research grants ever awarded to the University of Missouri was announced on Thursday morning by MU scientists and administrators.
An $8.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health will help answer important questions about cardiovascular diseases.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Missouri and the nation.
More than 20 MU scientists hope they can use the grant money to prevent health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and stroke.
“What we are hoping is that, based on the discoveries that we make as a product of this research, that we can develop new perspectives about what causes vascular disease,” Program Director Gerald Meininger said.
MU scientists said their research will allow them to explore the role of tiny blood vessels in cardiovascular diseases.
They call that type of research microcirculation which is one of the fastest growing fields of study for cardiovascular researchers.