Scientists at the University of New England are conducting cutting-edge research in a sprawling lab on the Portland campus that has the potential to lead to improved treatments for conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, and chronic pain. However, their work is at risk due to proposed budget cuts by the Trump administration to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The potential cuts would have a devastating impact on research facilities in Maine, including UNE, Jackson Laboratory, MDI Biological Laboratory, the University of Maine System, and the MaineHealth Institute for Research. Indirect costs, which are crucial for research, make up a significant portion of NIH grant funding and cover expenses such as equipment, support staffing, and facilities.
Karen Houseknecht, vice president for research and scholarship at UNE, highlighted the importance of indirect costs for the continuation of research projects and the overall functioning of labs. The impending cutbacks have prompted legal action from 22 states, including Maine, who are arguing against the funding formula changes.
Senator Susan Collins has voiced opposition to the NIH funding cuts and has called for a reexamination of the issue by the newly appointed Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The economic impact of the NIH grants on Maine’s life sciences industry is significant, supporting research, training for students, and contributing to the state’s overall economy.
At MDI Bio Lab, where research focuses on regenerative science using animal models like zebrafish, the potential loss of NIH funding would be substantial. The lab conducts research on a variety of diseases, including ALS, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and macular degeneration. The funds are crucial for maintaining equipment, paying for staff, and supporting ongoing research efforts.
Overall, the proposed NIH funding cuts threaten to stifle important scientific research in Maine and undermine the state’s growing life sciences economy.
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