Genetics research leader to speak on individualized medicine March 22 in Boca Raton
| Date: February 27, 2009 |
Renowned genetics researcher Rick Woychik, Ph.D., president and CEO of The Jackson Laboratory, will explain how scientists are working toward a new kind of medicine, in which treatments are tailored to each patient's personal genetic profile. Hosted by Sue Goldman, president of the board of Congregation B’nai Israel, and her husband Dr. Howard Goldman, Dr. Woychik will share his presentation on Sunday, March 22 at Congregation B’nai Israel, 2200 Yamato Road, Boca Raton, Fla., at 6:30 p.m., following a 6:00 p.m. reception.
Most of the deadliest diseases that afflict the human population—cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and others—are beyond the current level of understanding. Because most of the genetic and environmental factors that interact to cause them are still unknown, current efforts to treat these diseases are often imprecise, unpredictable and ineffective. Drugs and treatments are tested on broad populations and are prescribed using statistical averages. However, individuals may respond to a given drug differently than the population average, given their unique genetic makeup and body chemistry. Doctors usually can’t discern who will tolerate a drug, who will have adverse reactions, and what the best dose is for a particular patient. Dr. Woychik will explain how advances in genetic science will change how we maintain our personal health and open a new future of better health care.
The Jackson Laboratory is a nonprofit biomedical research institution based in Bar Harbor, Maine, with a mission to discover the genetic basis for preventing, treating and curing human diseases, and to enable research and education for the global biomedical community. Its 39 reseach groups investigate the genetic basis of cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, glaucoma, diabetes and many other human diseases a nd disorders, as well as normal development, reproduction and aging.
The event is free and open to the public by advance reservation. To RSVP, please contact Leslie P. by March 18 at 561-241-8118 or lesliep@cbiboca.org.
# # #
Dr. Woychik and Jackson Assistant Professor Kyuson Yun, Ph.D., will be speaking in Rockport, Maine, on Thursday, April 22.
Contact(s): Joyce Peterson, 207-288-6058
For information on automatic email delivery of news releases (journalists only), please send an email request for details to news@jax.org. Please address other inquiries to pubinfo@jax.org.
Media Relations, Communications Office
The Jackson Laboratory
600 Main Street
Bar Harbor, Maine 04609-1500
Phone: 207-288-6058 (journalists only)
Main Jackson Laboratory phone: 207-288-6000
Fax: 207-288-6076
Email: news@jax.org
