AnesthesiaBefore 1840, surgical patients didn't routinely receive anesthesia. Read about the progress we’ve made—and plan to make—in using and understanding anesthesia.
Artificial SkinSkin is the largest organ in the body, and it does many things. Find out how artificial skin is being used to replace severely injured or burned skin.
BurnsHeat, chemicals, electricity, sunlight or nuclear radiation can cause tissue-damaging burns. Get answers to questions about burns and related treatments and research.
CellsTrillions of cells make up our bodies, and researchers continue to learn more about their features and functions. Discover some of the recent advances.
Circadian RhythmsOur bodies keep time with the help of 24-hour "circadian" rhythms. Get answers to common questions about how these rhythms work and affect our lives.
GenesThirty years ago, scientists knew the structure of DNA and that genes code for proteins, but they didn’t know exactly how genes are regulated. Find out what we now know.
How Medicines WorkWe're developing a better understanding of drugs and how the body responds to them. Read how this knowledge is helping us improve the way medicines work.
Human Genetic VariationEveryone is 99.9 percent genetically identical. Learn how variations in the remaining 0.1 percent make each of us unique, affect our health and help us understand genes better.
Model OrganismsThe mustard plant, roundworm and fruit fly have taught us a lot about ourselves. Learn more about why scientists study these and other simple organisms.
Modeling Infectious DiseasesResearchers are using computers to create virtual worlds where people get sick. Find out how this helps us understand and prevent the spread of actual infectious diseases.
Personalized MedicinesEveryone responds differently to medicines, and one big reason is genes. Read what scientists are learning by studying how genes affect our responses to drugs.
RNA InterferenceRNA interference is a recently discovered mechanism that silence genes. Learn how it works—and how we can harness it to treat disease and study genetic processes.
SepsisAn overwhelming immune response to infection can cause sepsis. Get more information about sepsis and what we're learning about it.
Structure-Based Drug DesignStructure-based drug design lets scientists use knowledge of protein structures to develop new drugs. Find out how it led to new HIV/AIDS and liver cancer medicines.
Trauma and ShockTrauma, which is often accompanied by shock, is the leading cause of death for people 1 to 44 years old. Learn more about trauma and shock.
