Biology Forum: Caltech and the Coming Revolution in Personalized Molecular Medicine

Three leading biomedical researchers will discuss the increasing personailzation of medicine at Caltech's 11th Biology Forum. The Biology Forum brings to the public current ideas and treatment innovations in medical science.

Sandra Tsing-Loh, author, NPR commentator (The Loh Down on Science, The Loh Life), and Caltech alumna, will moderate the discussion. Speakers include:

Scott E. Fraser, Caltech
Anna L. Rosen Professor of Biology; Professor of Engineering and Applied Science; Director, Rosen Center for Biological Engineering
From Gene Sequencing Machines to Molecular Sensors for Personalized Medicine

Fraser will present the key roles that Caltech research played in the development and refinement of the machines that fueled the genomic revolution, including the protein sequencing and the DNA sequencing machines. He will introduce the ways in which genomic data has revolutionized biomedical research and diagnostics, as well as the next generation instruments that will impact the delivery of personalized health care.

James R. Heath, Caltech
Elizabeth W. Gilloon Professor and Professor of Chemistry
Technologies for Making Clinical Measurements of Protein Biomarkers Inexpensive

Heath will present the ongoing research at Caltech and partner institutions involved in the development and implementation of technologies for personalized medicine. He will present work that is now being transitioned into clinical settings, including rapid measurements of large panels of biomarkers using minimally invasive procedures, as well as technologies for producing stable, high affinity, high selectivity protein capture agents.

Michael E. Phelps, UCLA
Norton Simon Professor and Chair, Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology; Director, Institute for Molecular Medicine; Director, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging
Molecular Imaging Diagnostics for Managing the Biology of Disease in Patients

Phelps will discuss how the results of basic research can be transitioned from bench to bedside using imaging technologies. He will discuss the use of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) to examine biological check points in the transition from normal biology to that of disease, assessment of therapeutic interventions to better manage the biology of disease, and the link between in vivo molecular imaging diagnostics and in vitro molecular diagnostics in characterizing transitions from normal to disease.