Local Perspective: MU Precision Medicine – An Economic Driver for Colombia



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At MU Engineering, we have a slogan: "Come in". All of this comes from the fact that engineers have a say – our food, our roads, our water, our electronics and so much more. Engineers also play a vital role in the development of medicines and medical devices that keep us healthy. As Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, I focus on engineering. But in my new, additional role as vice-chancellor of strategic partnerships, my perspective also extends to how all of our schools and the unified messaging system can make the best use of our resources to continue improving the way we do business. quality of life and stimulate the economy of Columbia and the state.

The planned translational precision medicine complex is an excellent example of how MU schools and colleges are strengthening their joint work to find cures for diseases that affect millions of people, while creating the potential for economic recovery for the state. . The drug complex, which will bring together in the same building interdisciplinary research partners and industry partners, will place MU in the position of national and international player in precision medicine and research for the decades ahead of the 21st century. It will also attract new students, faculty and staff and create jobs, which will contribute to the growth of our economy. In fact, a recent study from the Department of Economics of MU revealed that among the four metropolitan areas of the state – Kansas City, St. Louis, Springfield and Columbia – this is Colombia that has paved the way for economic growth over the last decade. . Researchers attribute this in part to MU's strengths in research that have allowed a wide range of industries to thrive in the region.

We want to encourage biomedical research here in Colombia, helping every citizen to meet their medical needs. Medical complex planners also want to create centers to enable better collaboration in precision medicine and technology in general between universities, public organizations and the private sector, opening up new opportunities for commercialization of technology .

There is unprecedented momentum behind this effort. With the promise of solving major health care problems, precision medicine is a revolutionary approach to treating diseases. The laboratory-to-bedside model that the medical complex will use will shift laboratory-based innovations to personalized patient care based on the individual's biology. UM's UM system and committee of curators recognized the importance of this complex and identified it as the highest priority in terms of capital and philanthropy.

To this end, many researchers work specifically in the field of precision medicine. At the estimated completion of the complex, we will have about 60 researchers. These researchers will collaborate with industry partners and scientists around the world to solve the intractable problems of precision medicine.

MU scientists are already making huge progress in this area. Efforts will be amplified at the completion of the complex, planned for 2021. To get an idea of ​​the potential, consider the recent development of Lutathera. This new drug has recently been approved by the FDA to treat certain types of tumors that can occur in the gastrointestinal tract and pancreas. The radioisotope used in Lutathera was created here in the MU Research Reactor, one of our most powerful tools for our research in Precision Medicine.

At MU, we're still looking for the next major breakthrough, the next biomedical innovation, the next innovative prescription drug. The recent Nobel Prize in Chemistry won by our own George P. Smith testifies to this tradition. Dr. Smith's work has led to breakthroughs in the fight against cancer and other diseases.

Precision medicine is part of our future and MU is leading the way.

Elizabeth Loboa is the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Vice Chancellor of Strategic Partnerships of the MU.

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