Center for Genomic Medicine

Center Director:  Jeffery M.Vance MD, PhD

The CGM consists of three integrated sections and one core resource. The CGM will be the locus for all translational work and also house the Biorepository The Biorepository is one of the major core areas serving the HIHG and the University.  It will store biological samples ranging from blood to tissue and fluids.  A dedicated team of individuals will work strictly in the bank.  Significant expertise in informatics and sample handling has been accumulated in the current personnel, and this is one of the strengths of the repository.  It will provide samples and DNA extraction for all of the HIHG research studies, and many of those within the Medical Center. 

Section of Pharmacogenetics: Section Leader, TBN

Pharmacogenetics is a rapidly growing area describing the interaction of pharmaceuticals and gene variants.  It is believed to be one of the primary reasons for lack of efficacy of drugs in certain individuals and side effects.  This division will be involved in research identifying new interactions and testing of potential reports.  It will establish a repository of Pharmacogenetic information for the Department of Human Genetics (DHG) internal clinical website, and provide a resource for the various departments to explore potential pharmacogenetic trials and tests. 

Section of Family and Patient Ascertainment: Section Director, Michael Cuccaro, PhD
The mission of the Patient and Family Ascertainment Section is to create, implement, and evaluate ascertainment methods that will be used by investigators in the HIHG and the larger UM community involved in the study of complex diseases. The Ascertainment Core will define and implement comprehensive clinical protocols that recruit, enroll, and ascertain research participants and families. This core will be responsible for assuring that all ascertainment personnel employed through specific projects are trained in clinical protocols and certified as necessary according to UM standards/policies. Ongoing training and education will also be coordinated through the Ascertainment Core. The Phenotyping Laboratory will develop and evaluate new phenotypic measures that can be integrated into ongoing studies of genetic diseases. The Phenotype Laboratory will work closely with investigators within the HIHG as well as expert clinicians throughout the UM community in defining new phenotype methods as well as refining existing methods. A related mission of the Phenotyping Laboratory is to create a core set of phenotypic measures that will be used to characterize control participants across the lifespan.  The Ancillary Support Group functions to enhance ascertainment efforts through community outreach, evaluation/monitoring, and medical genetics consultation.

Section of Translational Genomics: Section Leader, TBN

One of the primary tasks of the CGM will be to bring the advances of genetics into the practice of medicine, ie genomic medicine.  As this is essentially a new discipline of medicine, many areas of emphasis will be needed:  1) Genetic Counseling and Model Development.  This group will focus on identifying the specific infrastructure and models needed to practically implement GM.  One current project, the Guildford Genomic Medicine Initiative (GGMI) is currently underway modeling GM in a primary care, private practice setting.  In addition, collaborations with the business school in medical economics of genetic practice, and with ethicists will be needed.  2) A diagnositic research laboratory for running large scale genotyping or biomarker testing for research projects will be needed. This group can also define population specific mutations for the ethnic and cultural groups common to southern florida,  3) a group interested in genetic theraputics, such as stem cell, RNA silencing and vectors will be needed 4) a group involved directly in genetic risk assessment trials using Biomarkers, susceptibility genes and combinations.

Biorepository Core: Core Leader, Sandra West

The Biorepository is one of the major core areas serving the HIHG and the University. It will store biological samples ranging from blood to tissue and fluids. Dr. Vance and Ms. West have a substantial amount of experience in banking, having oversaw a bank that contained samples on approximately 160,000 individuals while at Duke University. A dedicated team of individuals will work strictly in the bank. Significant expertise in informatics and sample handling has been accumulated in the personnel, and this is one of the strengths of the repository. It will provide samples and DNA extraction for all of the HIHG studies, and many of those within the Medical Center.