Stimulus funds arrive at Triangle campuses

Wednesday was profitable for scientists in the Triangle.

A load of federal stimulus money - $145 million - arrived in area science labs to spur research and jumpstart the economy. Duke and UNC Chapel Hill were among the prime beneficiaries.

Sarah Avery and David Bracken report on it here.

Duke scientists won 181 grants worth $70 million, and UNC-CH researchers won 186 grants worth more than $65 million. 

RTI International, a Research Triangle Park think tank, received 10 grants as well.

Here's a rundown of some Duke's success stories. Similarly, here's some UNC-CH info, and click here for the national picture.

One of the biggest pieces of the pie landed at UNC-CH, one of 12 winners of a Cancer Genome Atlas Grant, to examine mechanisms of how cancer grows and spreads.

The five-year award will total between $13 million and $20 million and will result in the hiring of at least six people for lab and computer work.

"It's really the next phase of the Human Genome Project," said Dr. Charles Perou, a UNC-CH professor leading the cancer atlas project.

Wednesday's yield was among the first positive results since the federal stimulus plan was announced. Since the emphasis on science research became known, area universities kicked into high gear, employing every tool in the arsenal to prepare grants quickly and submit strong, concise and accurate proposals to the federal government.