Research Programs at the Institute for Science and Health

What guides our research?

As a not-for-profit public charity supporting scientific research to benefit the medically under-served, an important part of our mission is bringing together geographically widespread world-class research institutions and investigators to collaborate on research programs. Especially those at the intersection of the physical and medical sciences.

To achieve our mission, the Institute sponsors:

• primary and applied research
• scientific and educational conferences/forums
• late-stage, pre-market research

A focus on "orphan diseases"

By concentrating on medically under-served areas rather than well-funded mainstream health issues, the Institute is able to focus attention and research where they are needed most, all-the-while complementing the large national funding institutions.

To illustrate areas of need, the Institute has adopted the concept of orphan diseases . The term 'orphan disease' is defined in the Orphan Drug Act as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the US , or a disease with greater prevalence but for which no reasonable expectation exists that the costs of developing or distributing a drug can be recovered from the sale of such a drug in the United States . This term allows for an easier description of diseases that are typically under-funded, and therefore in need of attention and resources.

There are currently in excess of 6,000 identified orphan diseases, collectively affecting approximately 25 million Americans, and countless more people worldwide. These numbers alone stand as a testament that orphan diseases represent a serious public health concern.

The Institute for Science and Health strongly believes that orphan diseases should not be ignored, but vigorously and collaboratively pursued, by basic- and clinical-science investigators worldwide.

This notion is consistent with ideas articulated by J.L. Vaitukaitis, M.D., former director of the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR). She believes that because of the small number of patients affected by orphan diseases in any one location, effective research of these diseases requires the collaboration of scientists from multiple disciplines, with the capacity to share access to geographically distributed research resources and patient populations.

Program Initiatives

The Institute for Science and Health has developed several Program Initiatives that represent research topic umbrellas, under which several related disorders or health concerns may be packaged.

The number and scope of the Program Initiatives is subject to change over time, depending on the availability of funds and realignment to developing areas of need. Benefactors are invited to target funds to an existing Initiative or assist in the development of new Program Initiatives coincident with their area of interest. (See Support the IFSH Program Initiatives section below.)

The Institute currently supports research efforts distributed around the globe. For more detailed information about individual research areas and levels of involvement, please visit our Program Initiatives overview page.

Tobacco Science and Health

• Biomarkers of Exposure and Harm
• Tobacco Harm Reduction
• Tobacco Constituent Toxicity
• Cancers related to tobacco-product usage (bladder, cervical, esophageal, pancreatic, lung, colon, leukemia)

Gastrointestinal Diseases

• Pancreatic Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Crohn's Disease

Diseases from Airborne Contaminants

• Tuberculosis
• Fluid Aerosols (metal containing) Mesothelioma

Neurodegenerative Disorders

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS; Lou Gehrig's Disease)
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Multiple System Atrophy
• Spinocerebellar Ataxia
• Leukodystrophies (e.g., Krabbe Disease (genetic metabolic disorder))

Youth Health and Development

• Juvenile Arthritis
• Juvenile Diabetes
• Autism: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and other Environmental Factors
• Lifewise : Preparing Today's Youth for Tomorrow's World

Blood-based Diseases

• Lymphomas (Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's)
• Acute Myeloid Leukemia
• Sickle Cell Anemia

Degenerative Eye Diseases

• Macular Degeneration
• Retinitis Pigmentosa
• Diabetic Retinopathy

Environmental Causes of Illness (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity)

• MS (Multiple Sclerosis)
• Alzheimer Disease
• Parkinson Disease
• Autism
• Allergic Asthma
• Tourette Syndrome
• Fibromyalgia

Support the IFSH Program Initiatives:

If you wish to contribute to any of our ongoing Research Program Initiatives or help develop a new Program Initiative, please contact IFSH by either selecting the Contact link in the menu selections.

IFSH Research Process: