Our Impact

We are committed to our mission of uncovering the knowledge that leads to new insights, with the ultimate goal of positively impacting patients and their families.

 Dr. Isom and team member in the lab

Innovative Discoveries for Stronger Communities

The University of Michigan is the top public university for research in the United States. Researchers at Michigan Medicine, U-M’s academic medical center, collaborate from the lab bench to the bedside and beyond, helping patients benefit from innovation. 

This critical work is driven by our 10,000+ research employees in the state of Michigan, and investments from government and non-government partners. In addition, the U-M Medical School includes over 2,000 medical and advanced degree learners who are training to become the researchers of tomorrow.

Our research ecosystem offers a wide range of resources through our numerous research centers and institutes, as well as initiatives such as Fast Forward Medical Innovation to nurture new therapeutic discoveries and technologies. We bring together experts from throughout the state of Michigan, the country, and the world to work on research that will change the lives of patients and families.

Discover our research impact from the U-M Office of the Vice President for Research
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Spotlight On

U-M federal research funding fuels innovation, economic growth

Research for Tomorrow's Cures
Health care provider talking to a pediatric cancer patient

Cancer

In 2025, over 2 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Our Rogel Cancer Center earned the National Cancer Institute’s “Comprehensive” designation with strict guidelines for clinical and laboratory research, testing of new therapies, and cancer prevention and control research.

Our cancer research is currently contributing to 459 clinical studies with 65,387 clinical study participants.

  • Histotripsy can help release HER2 from cancer tumor cells
  • Study offers clues to how cancer spreads to the brain
  • Explore more cancer stories
    • Doctor showing a phone monitoring diabetes

    Diabetes

    More than 25.8 million adults and children in the United States have diabetes, which continues to be a rising condition with potential complications that impact patients. Our Caswell Diabetes Institute and researchers are committed to investigating new therapies to provide innovative care for patients.

     

    Our diabetes research is currently contributing to 52 clinical studies with 5,796 clinical study participants.

  • New clinical research program takes steps to predict and prevent diabetic foot …
  • Managing your diabetes can help prevent associated vision loss
  • Explore more diabetes stories
    • Doctor listening to a patient's heart

    Heart Disease

    Cardiovascular disease results in the highest number of fatalities for patients in the United States. Our team, including our nationally recognized Frankel Cardiovascular Center, continually strives to advance discoveries in the field and provide the best possible care for our patients.

     

    Our research is currently contributing to 105 clinical studies with 10,010 clinical study participants.

  • Recycled pacemakers function as well as new devices, international study sugges…
  • A constant state of Afib
  • Explore more heart health stories
    • doctor pointing to a brain scan

    Neuroscience

    Researchers across a wide array of groups at our institution, such as the Michigan Neuroscience Institute, collaborate to better understand the complexities of the brain. This work drives the development of innovative treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, depression, and epilepsy.

     

    Our neuroscience research is currently contributing to 130 clinical studies with 9,697 clinical study participants.

  • In 10 seconds, AI model detects cancerous brain tumor often missed during surge…
  • Novel genetic scoring system helps determine ALS disease risk
  • Explore more neuroscience stories
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    Pediatric Care

    We are leaders in evolving, transforming, and driving the future of children’s medicine. Our comprehensive, specialized health care for children at C.S. Mott Children's Hospital is shaped by our research discoveries for state-of-the-art technologies and breakthrough treatments that change lives.

     

    Our pediatric research is currently contributing to 139 clinical studies with 49,008 clinical study participants.

  • After 4 lifesaving heart surgeries, teen plays in Junior League World Series
  • ‘Beating the odds’: hope for U-M drummer with inoperable brain tumor
  • Explore more pediatric care stories
    • Doctor listening to a patient's heart

    Women's Health

    We offer premier routine and specialty patient care with state-of-the-art resources, such as our Birth Center at the Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital, as a result of the pioneering work of our researchers. Our discoveries support better maternal outcomes and lower complications for newborns.

     

    Our women's health research is currently contributing to 94 clinical studies with 9,643 clinical study participants.

  • Novel device detects cervix “ripening” to predict normal and abnormal labor
  • Revolutionizing prenatal care: new guidelines to transform 100-year model
  • Explore more women's health stories
    • Doctor talking to patient in a clinic

    Research Transforms Lives
    4,618
    Adults in Active Clinical Studies
    284
    Children in Active Clinical Studies
    1,941
    Patients Age 65+ in Active Clinical Studies
    Innovative Treatments for Patients

    Clinical Studies by County in Michigan

    We translate our research to better patient care, with clinical study participants throughout Michigan and 24 additional states. Over 100,000 volunteers have signed up for clinical studies at UMHealthResearch.org, our website portal for 250+ clinical studies.

    Learn more about clinical studies

    Historical Breakthroughs & Milestones

    Komzifti
    Komzifti (ziftomenib) has received approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration for acute myeloid leukemias with the NPM1 mutation.
    two researchers posing white coats looking at camera two researchers posing white coats looking at camera
    QUELimmune
    Children treated at C. S. Mott Children’s Hospital participate in the clinical trial of QUELimmune, a device approved to treat kidney injury and sepsis.
    Parent holding child's hand with IV Parent holding child's hand with IV
    Histotripsy
    Histotripsy, developed by U-M scientists, uses ultrasound waves to destroy liver cancer cells and shows promise in shrinking other cancers.
    Leqembi
    Leqembi, the first new drug in 20 years approved to treat early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, is trialed with patients at U-M.
    Team members working on histotripsy Team members working on histotripsy
    T-cell Chemotherapy for Blood Cancers
    Patients at the Rogel Cancer Center participate in the clinical trial that leads to approval of the first T-cell chemotherapy to treat blood cancers like leukemia.
    Person using a microscope Person using a microscope
    Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN)
    Overdose Prevention Engagement Network (OPEN), a state-wide initiative dedicated to reducing the harms of opioid and substance use in our communities, is launched by U-M pain researchers.
    Prescription bottles with pills Prescription bottles with pills
    Ferric Citrate Treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease
    Use of ferric citrate in the treatment of chronic kidney disease is pioneered at U-M.
    Kidneys Kidneys
    Clinical Trial for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
    Patients at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center participate in the clinical trial for transcatheter aortic valve replacement, a minimally invasive procedure approved for treating failing heart valves.
    Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
    North Campus Research Complex
    U-M launches the North Campus Research Complex, encompassing 28 buildings and over 2 million square feet of lab and office space.
    The U-M North Campus Research Complex The U-M North Campus Research Complex
    Rapid Diagnosis of Diabetic Neuropathy
    Eva L. Feldman develops a clinical screening instrument used worldwide for the rapid diagnosis of diabetic neuropathy.
    Crystal Pacult, Eva Feldman and Stacey Jacoby in the ALS Biorepository Crystal Pacult, Eva Feldman and Stacey Jacoby in the ALS Biorepository
    Prostate Cancer Gene Identification
    Arul M. Chinnaiyan and colleagues identify the gene that marks the deadliest form of prostate cancer.
    portrait of Arul Chinnaiyan portrait of Arul Chinnaiyan
    Depression Center
    U-M establishes the nation's first comprehensive Depression Center, housed in the Rachel Upjohn Building on the East Medical Campus.
    Living Donor Liver Transplant
    Jeffrey Punch and John Bromberg of the Department of Surgery perform the first successful liver transplant from a living donor, replacing a boys failed liver with 20% of an adult liver, donated by a family friend.
    Liver in illustration of human with skeleton Liver in illustration of human with skeleton
    Human Gene Therapy Protocol for AIDS
    Gary Nabel and colleagues conduct the world's first human gene therapy protocol for AIDS.
    Person using a pipette in a lab Person using a pipette in a lab
    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Phenotype
    Jeffrey Chamberlin and colleagues tranfer a normal copy of the dsystrophin gene into transgenic mice with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and obtain a fully corrected phenotype.
    DNA strands DNA strands
    Cystic Fibrosis Gene
    Francis S. Collins and colleagues clone the genes responsible for cystic fibrosis. Collins will go on to discover the genes responsible for neurofibromatosis and help identify those for Huntington’s disease.
    Francis S. Collins Francis S. Collins
    Stanley Cohen Nobel Prize
    Stanley Cohen, who received his doctorate from the U-M, shares the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in recognition of the discovery of nerve growth factor and epidermal growth factor.
    SPECT & PET
    David Kuhl and his team develop single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET).
    Stanley Cohen Stanley Cohen
    Insulin Pump
    U-M is one of the first medical centers to introduce the insulin pump.
    Insulin pump Insulin pump
    Hamilton Smith Nobel Prize
    Hamilton Smith, a former U-M postdoc, shares the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in recognition of the discovery of restriction enzymes and their application to problems of molecular genetics.
    Hamilton Smith Hamilton Smith
    ECMO
    Robert Bartlett pioneers extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), technology used to support patients - primarily infants - with failing hearts or lungs.
    Baby using ECMO Baby using ECMO
    Greenfield Filter
    Lazar Greenfield develops the Greenfield filter, a cone shaped stainless or titanium device that prevents blood clots from reaching the heart.
    Blood cells Blood cells
    Marshall Nirenberg Nobel Prize
    Marshall Nirenberg, who received his doctorate from the U-M, shares the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in recognition of the interpretation of the genetic code and its function in protein synthesis.
    Reproductive Sciences Program
    Robert Jaffe and A. Rees Midgley establish the Reproductive Sciences Program to address problems associated with infertility and reproductive endocrinology.
    Marshall Nirenberg Marshall Nirenberg
    Lawrence D. Buhl Center for Research on Human Genetics
    The Lawrence D. Buhl Center for Research on Human Genetics, funded in part by the Buhl Foundation of Detroit with matching funds provided by the U.S. Public Health Service, is dedicated. Director James V. Neel deems the facility "one of the best equipped in the world in the field of human genetics."
    Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young
    MODY is described by Stefan Fajans, paving the way for further study of this serious hereditary form of diabetes.
    DNA strands DNA strands
    Early Laboratory Animal Medicine Program
    Bennett Cohen, co-founder of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, launches one of the nation’s earliest laboratory animal medicine programs. Cohen subsequently chaired the committee which wrote the first edition of "The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals," the primary reference in the field.
    Person with gloves on holding a rat Person with gloves on holding a rat
    Invention of the Flexible Endoscope
    Testing the device on himself first, Basil Hirschowitz transforms surgery and gastroenterology with the development of the first flexible fiberoptic endoscope.
    Person handing a surgical tool to another person under surgical lights Person handing a surgical tool to another person under surgical lights
    Salk Polio Vaccine Field Trials
    U-M Medical School researchers collaborate with School of Public Health colleagues on field trials of the ground-breaking Salk polio vaccine, one of the largest studies in history with over 1,800,000 children enrolled.
    Stamp for polio vaccine Stamp for polio vaccine
    Primary Aldosteronism
    Affecting up to 10% of patients with high blood pressure, the adrenal gland condition also known as Conn’s Syndrome is first described by Jerome Conn.
    Person working in a lab Person working in a lab
    First Radioactive Antibody to Fight Cancer
    The first radioactive antibody to fight cancer administered anywhere in the world causes complete regression of a patient's melanoblastoma.
    Radioactive antibody to fight cancer Radioactive antibody to fight cancer
    The Inheritance of Sickle Cell Anemia
    James V. Neel publishes "The Inheritance of Sickle Cell Anemia" in which he proposes that individuals with severe sickle cell anemia are homozygous for an abnormal gene and that carriers have one normal and one abnormal gene.
    James V. Neel James V. Neel
    Veterans Readjustment Center
    The Veterans Readjustment Center is established by the Department of Psychiatry to provide mental health services to ex-servicemen from World War II and help them to return to an active, normal civilian life.
    Veterans with dog looking at a view of trees from the top of a hill Veterans with dog looking at a view of trees from the top of a hill
    Department of Human Heredity
    U-M's Department of Human Heredity is one of the first genetic programs in the U.S.
    Chalkboard with chemical structures Chalkboard with chemical structures
    Electrocardiogram for Coronary Artery Disease Diagnosis
    Frank Wilson, a world-renowned cardiologist, plays a major role in transforming clinical cardiology by developing 9 of the 12 leads currently used for electrocardiograms.
    Electrocardiogram Electrocardiogram
    One of the First Successful Pneumonectomies
    Cameron Haight performs one of the first successful pneumonectomies in the world. In 1941, he will perform the world's first successful direct repair of esophageal atresia.
    Cameron Haight Cameron Haight
    Water & Electrolyte Balance in Surgical Patients
    Frederick Coller after extensive studies with Eugene Potter on water and electrolyte balance in surgical patients, develops a formula soon used by surgeons around the world for replacing urinary losses of sodium, potassium and water.
    Frederick Coller Frederick Coller
    Old Main Hospital Opens
    Old Main is designed to include both patient care and research laboratories, uniquely serving as a venue for basic research.
    U-M Old Main Hospital U-M Old Main Hospital
    Introduction of Iodized Salt Combats Common Thyroid Condition
    In the 1920s, the common thyroid condition known as goiter affected millions globally and was found in up to 64% of residents in certain parts of Michigan. David Cowie leads efforts to adopt salt iodization across the U.S.
    Morton iodized salt Morton iodized salt
    Ophthalmology
    Walter R. Parker establishes a formal training program in ophthalmology. Ophthalmological and Otolaryngological specialties expand rapidly after a well-equipped new building, known as the Eye and Ear Ward, opens on Catherine Street.
    Glasses Glasses
    Clinical Pathology
    George Dock joins Michigan's medical faculty and sets up a hospital laboratory in which he practices "clinical pathology."
    Historical picture of U-M medical students Historical picture of U-M medical students
    U-M Builds the First University-Owned and Operated Hospital
    In addition to being a model for other medical school hospitals, this sets the stage for clinical research in years to come.
    Photo of the original U-M hospital Photo of the original U-M hospital

    Research Leads to Real Innovation
    32
    New Drugs & Devices FDA-Approved Since 2000
    77
    New Drugs & Devices Currently in the FDA Approval Pipeline
    164
    Partnerships With Industry in 2024
    Aerial view of the U-M medical campus in Ann Arbor

    Charity Partnerships Promote Faster Discoveries

    Our Top Partners
    American Heart Association
    Alex’s Lemonade Stand for Childhood Cancer
    Breakthrough Type 1 Diabetes
    Burroughs Wellcome Fund for Cancer
    Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
    Dravet Syndrome Foundation for Epilepsy
    Farmer Family Foundation
    Food Allergy Fund
    Research to Prevent Blindness Inc.
    Scleroderma Research Foundation
    V Foundation for Cancer Research
    269
    Research Projects Funded by Charitable Organizations in 2025
    $54,930,742
    Total Funds from Charitable Organizations in 2025
    Two researchers in white coats and safety glasses. One is holding up a petri dish and the other is pointing at it.
    Bringing Research & Treatments to You

    Michigan Answers

    Innovative research and world-class care that’s around the corner, and in your corner.

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    Contact

    Looking for more information on the impact of our research? Reach out to us at [email protected].

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    Research Impact News & Stories

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    Health Lab

    Researchers discover what may be the root cause of preeclampsia, and how to fix it

    After years of research, a large team of multidisciplinary scientists from Michigan Medicine has identified a key molecular driver of preeclampsia, and demonstrated a potential way to counteract it in both mouse models and human placental tissue.
    Research News

    New research brings power of AI, robotics, deep datasets to test drugs for devastating bird flu

    University of Michigan researchers in pharmacy, chemistry and medicine will design and test novel drugs in search of prevention strategies for highly contagious avian influenza, specifically the subtype H5Nx.
    Health Lab

    A protein tape-recorder enables scientists to measure and decode cellular processes at scale and over time

    A new tool, developed at the University of Michigan, acts as a tape recorder produced and maintained by the cell itself, enabling scientists to rewind back in time and view interactions on a large scale and over long periods of time.