The Department of Health and Human Services National Institute of General Medical Sciences grant will allow researchers to further study bacterial chemotaxis, or the movement of an organism in response to a chemical stimulus, said U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland).
Studying the process, which is essential to multi-cellular organisms' development and immune response, is an important step toward understanding the role of bacterial pathogens in human health, Lowey said in a statement.
"Better understanding of how cells behave can lead to better health outcomes," she said. "I'm proud this federal investment will allow IBM researchers ... to move us closer to one day unlocking solutions to the world's deadliest diseases."
Dario Gil, vice president of science and technology at the Yorktown research center, said IBM is uniquely positioned to help the medical science community.
"IBM is pleased to play a role in advancing knowledge of fundamental biological processes that are relevant for human health," he said.
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