Mikulski, Burr Announce Passage of Resolution Honoring 10th Anniversary of National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering at NIH

Press Release

U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.) and Richard Burr (R-N.C.) announced that the Senate unanimously passed their resolution last night to honor the 10th anniversary of the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB). Information on the resolution, including full text, is available here.
Since its establishment, the NIBIB has supported research in furtherance of the development of scientific advances in the fields of biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical engineering, as well as advance the application of biomedical technology.

"The NIH is an engine in America's innovation economy," Senator Mikulski said. "It is not only a world-class institution. It is a job for so many Marylanders. It is a good salary for so many families. And it is a hope for those with loved ones suffering from a disease or condition that has no cure. I'm proud to support research and innovation at the NIBIB creating new treatments and cures to save lives and keep families healthy."

"I am pleased that the Senate has chosen to recognize the remarkable impact that biomedical research supported by the NIBIB has had on patients over the past decade," Senator Burr said. "I commend them for their strong commitment to research in the field of biotechnology, imaging, and biomedical engineering and for pursuing the next generation of life-saving treatments and technologies for our nation's patients."

The NIBIB was established as a component of the National Institutes of Health to carry out and support research to improve the detection, treatment, and prevention of disease by assembling diverse teams of scientists and engineers to pursue innovative medical therapies and technologies to better meet patients' health care needs. The research NIBIB has supported has helped to advance cutting-edge medical treatments. For example, new imaging technology has enabled researchers to more accurately identify tumors to better diagnose and treat certain types of cancer.

The scientific and medical research conducted at and supported by the NIBIB offer the hope for accelerating treatments and cures for debilitating diseases and conditions that impact America's patients. Scientific breakthroughs in areas such as regenerative medicine, cancer treatments, and nanotechnology are helping physicians better target care and meet patients' individual needs.

Senator Mikulski has been a staunch advocate for NIH and works each year to protect federal funding that helps its researchers make discoveries that save lives and improve the quality of health care in America. She spearheaded the bipartisan effort to double the agency's budget from $13.6 billion in FY 1998 to $27 billion in FY 2003.

Senator Burr introduced the bill (H.R. 1795) to establish the NIBIB in 1999, and it was signed into law in December 2000.

Source