The University of Minnesota's Academic Health Center has been awarded more than $34 million in federal stimulus money for a wide variety of research projects.

The Academic Health Center announced the 128 grants for scientists, physicians and researchers on Tuesday.

Dr. Mark Paller, assistant vice president for research for the center, says the grants will allow the university to start research projects that it couldn't be done in the past.

Some of the most expensive projects are for Alzheimer's prevention, smoking cessation, magnetic imaging research and treatment of heart defects. Each will get about $1 million.

This story continues below
Advertisement

Peller says the money represents an increase of about 15 percent of the money the center would have received this year and next from the National Institutes of Health.

---

Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com