Calling All Humans: The NIH is piloting a generative AI service called ChIRP, short for Chatbox for the Intramural Research Program (IRP). Launched on January 7, this pilot program is powered by ChatGPT technology but caters solely to NIH staff and is confined to the NIH intranet.
In the early 1980s, a discovery at the NIH revealed a protein that would forever change our understanding of cell signaling, development, and disease: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).
Many scientists have a seemingly single-minded focus on their research, but there are considerable benefits to having one foot in the lab and the other in the clinic. Working with patients gives researchers a daily reminder of the people they are working so hard to help and allows them to investigate the effects of promising but still experimental treatments in willing volunteers. That’s one of the main reasons why the IRP’s LaskerClinical Research Scholars Program is designed to accelerate the careers of promising early-career physician-scientists.
The NIH Intramural Research Program has a storied history. For example, there’s that whole human genome thing and, oh yeah, cancer immunology. Seems worth documenting. Read excerpts from the chapter on facilities from a book in progress...
The annual NIH Graduate Student Research Symposium was held February 13 at the Natcher Conference Center on the Bethesda campus. Over 100 presenters, and their mentors, were showcased this year.
