Many of today’s most important medical advances exist because a core problem has long challenged health care: understanding the body well enough to treat disease effectively and safely. From repairing damaged DNA to restoring hearing or treating rare genetic disorders, progress depends on sustained scientific research.

At Duke University, decades of research have translated discovery into real‑world impact.

Duke scientists uncovered how G‑protein coupled receptors work—knowledge that now underpins about 35% of all medications on the market.

Others pioneered the modern cochlear implant, helping more than a million people worldwide hear and communicate more clearly.

Duke researchers also developed the first effective treatment for Pompe disease, once almost universally fatal in infants, transforming it into a manageable condition.

Additional breakthroughs include advances in ultrasound imaging used daily in heart and pregnancy care, insights into DNA repair that guide cancer treatment decisions, foundational work improving helmet and airbag safety, and the development of the first new gout drug in 40 years.

These efforts share a common thread: federally funded research.

Support from the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other agencies made these discoveries possible, demonstrating how public investment fuels innovations that improve—and save—millions of lives.