National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins delivered an upbeat assessment of what lies in store for the world’s largest supporter of biomedical research, projecting advances in battling genetic disorders such as sickle cell disease and the development of an atlas of human cells to expand knowledge about human tissues.

Seven foundations have formed a coalition with the aim of increasing support for basic science among the nation’s philanthropists and foundations, Robert Conn, president of The Kavli Foundation, announced on 2 May. The group hopes to double philanthropic support in this area of U.S. science within a decade.