World’s smallest pacemaker can be inserted by syringe
The tiny device can be inserted with a syringe, then it dissolves after it’s no longer needed.
Research Impact
Life-changing cures and solutions, discovered right here
At Northwestern, groundbreaking research and scholarship happen daily, often fueled by federal funding. Our innovative work pushes boundaries, opens new lines of inquiry and leads to lifesaving results. Our researchers look to cure disease, tackle tough questions and improve lives.
Engineering Human Health
Engineering and medical researchers collaborate on breakthroughs that help us live longer and healthier.
Soft sensors monitor NICU babies without wires
A Northwestern team has developed soft wireless body sensors that replace the tangle of wire-based sensors that currently monitor babies in neonatal intensive care units and obstruct parent-baby cuddles.
‘Dancing molecules’ successfully repair severe spinal cord injuries
Professor Samuel Stupp’s lab is leveraging a big discovery to enhance tissue regeneration to reverse paralysis in a preclinical model of acute spinal cord injury.
Therapy on demand to treat diabetes
Northwestern engineers have developed a tiny implant to house living engineered cells that synthesize and deliver therapy when needed, eliminating the need for injections, pharmacy trips and medication storage.
Economic Impact
Northwestern research is a catalyst for job growth and economic development in the Chicago region, nation and world.
$3B
total economic impact of Northwestern research
$1.9B
economic impact in the Chicago region alone
14,500
jobs supported nationally
Healthier Brains
From new strategies to reverse aging to a drug that removes protein buildup, Northwestern discoveries have enormous potential.
Experimental drug “takes out the garbage” in the brain
Chemist Richard Silverman and neurologist P. Hande Ozdinler created an experimental drug to remove protein buildups that inhibit brain function. Originally developed to treat ALS, the drug shows promise in treating Alzheimer’s and other diseases.
What we can learn from SuperAgers
On a quest to end the scourge of neurodegenerative disease, researchers led by Tamar Gefen are working to reveal the secrets to understanding memory and aging.
A pen designed for Parkinson’s patients
Northwestern students developed a pen that enables Parkinson’s patients to write again. The SteadyScrib pen’s wide, pliable grip makes it easier to hold and negates the effects of shaking and tremors.
Findings may point the way to new Alzheimer’s therapies
An international team of investigators has made a discovery that challenges the current understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and may inform the development of new targeted therapies that reduce amyloid plaque formation.
Research Matters
Our community members reflect on the scope and impact of Northwestern research across many disciplines.
Andrea Graham
Assistant Professor of Medical Social Sciences
“My research is driven by the stark reality that we will never have enough clinicians to solve our world's mental health problems. Instead, I create apps to tackle these problems, like for depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Not only are apps more accessible than a clinician, but they can offer support right away, so people can get the help they need in the moments that matter most.”
Sam Stupp
Director of the Center for Regenerative Nanomedicine
“Research in a university setting is always a team effort and benefits from young minds with new and creative ideas. The journey for a lab director and the final outcome when success is achieved are both immensely rewarding, particularly when it improves the quality of our lives. I consider it a privilege to have been able to dedicate my life to educating young people while also helping humanity solve some of its most pressing challenges."
Rebecca Erickson
Assistant Director of Clinical Operations, Center for Comparative Medicine
“As a veterinarian, I witness firsthand how life-saving advancements – like those at Northwestern – not only revolutionize human medicine but also improve the health and well-being of pets, livestock, and other animals facing similar diseases."
Kaylyn Ahn
Class of 2025
“I conducted research on the domestic localization of the international legal doctrine of command responsibility in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia. In the face of war crimes, research teaches us how international criminal law can do better.”
Advancing Cancer Treatment
Northwestern researchers are developing more effective screening, improving drug delivery and fighting to find cures.
Delivering targeted chemotherapy
This new device uses microbubbles to open the blood-brain barrier and treat glioblastoma in humans.
New function discovered for protein important in leukemia
An unexpected finding could help scientists better understand how cancer grows — and how to fight it.
New scoring system improves colorectal cancer risk prediction
A newly developed scoring system could enhance risk prediction and guide treatment decisions for colorectal cancer.
A new route to cancer treatment by removing protein from cells
Northwestern researchers have discovered a new way to potentially treat cancer by targeting and removing harmful proteins from cells.
Medical Facts and Figures
Life-saving clinical trials revolutionize patient care, transforming medicine and training the physicians who will deliver it.
6,700+
students currently training to become doctors, researchers and healthcare providers
6,902
Northwestern Medicine clinical trials and studies, 2023-24
370,000+
participants enrolled in clinical trials and studies, 2023-24
Innovations for the Future
Looking ahead to find solutions that could revolutionize our lives today and for years to come.
What if we had more hands?
With worker shortages predicted in healthcare and social services, Northwestern engineers are developing dexterous, intelligent robot hands to assist humans with manufacturing, caregiving and handling precious materials.
Making concrete more sustainable
Using seawater, electricity and carbon dioxide, Northwestern scientists have developed a new carbon-negative building material.
Examining lunar soil to build on the moon
Northwestern mineralogist Steven Jacobsen is exploring new methods for building a lunar outpost using the moon’s own resources.
Artificial muscles for safer and softer robots
Northwestern engineers have developed a new soft, flexible device that makes robots move by expanding and contracting — just like a human muscle.
Cleaner and Safer Water
Leading-edge research that seeks out and removes everything from pesticides, pollutants and forever chemicals from our water sources.
A test for the tap
Professor Julius Lucks and his team have created a device to quickly test water for 17 different contaminants, including lead, antibiotics, cosmetics and cleaning products.
Pulling contaminants from water
Scientist Will Dichtel has developed a low-cost, sustainable water purification method that acts like a magnet to remove pesticides, pharmaceuticals and “forever chemicals.”
Brewing tea removes lead from water
Northwestern researchers have demonstrated that brewing tea naturally adsorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium, effectively filtering dangerous contaminants out of drinks.
A sponge that soaks up pollutants but saves valuable minerals
Scientists reimagine the lifecycle for non-renewables like metals and phosphate thanks to a special sponge that slurps pollutants, offering a reusable and cost-effective solution to water contamination.
More Stories of Impact
Research and scholarly work from across the University that taps into how we live fuller and richer lives.
The benefits of early lessons in civics
Early exposure to civic education is essential to a functioning society, says Matt Easterday
The Human Longevity Lab is trying to slow or reverse aging
Scientists want to develop ways to improve the human lifespan
Connection through singing
A new study finds that singing — in person or in a virtual setting — has plenty of benefits, especially for those with dementia
Nature vs. nurture
Northwestern research explores the interplay between a child’s mind and environment
Inventive Activity
Our innovations maximize social benefit and promote economic growth.
250
invention disclosures
639
patent applications filed
90+
active startups launched
Northwestern in the Media
Getting the story out to local, national and global audiences.
CNN
NIH froze funding for clinical trials at a major university. By fall, they’ll run out of funding
June 23, 2025
Chicago Tribune
Worried Northwestern lab directors describe ‘bleak’ atmosphere in wake of Trump research funding freeze
June 14, 2025
The Washington Post
Universities and the government: Which needs the other more?
June 3, 2025