By: Deborah Johnson Wood
With the naming of a new research director, the Van Andel Institute (VAI) has also formed a strategic alliance with a noted Arizona-based genomics research firm for the purpose of bringing the VAI’s scientific discoveries to patients.
The new director, Jeffrey M. Trent, succeeds George Vande Woude, who remains in charge of the Laboratory of Molecular Oncology.
The new strategic alliance and affiliation is with Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) in Phoenix, a nonprofit institute founded by Trent and dedicated to cancer, neurological disorders and diabetes research. Trent will continue as president, scientific director, senior investigator and acting director of TGen’s Genetic Basis of Human Disease Division.
“TGen is poised to translate the discoveries generated in laboratories from both organizations into real solutions for patients,’’ says Daniel Von Hoff, M.D., TGen’s physician-in-chief and a world-renowned cancer scientist.
“This is a terrific opportunity to work together and increase our chances for making a difference for our patients," he adds. "VAI is on the verge of expanding its already strong basic research programs and implementing further translational research.”
VAI hopes to combine its research on cancer, Alzheimer’s and other debilitating diseases with TGen’s ability to reduce the time it takes to get those new discoveries into the hands of patients and doctors.
Once the two organizations finalized the affiliation agreement in July, West Michigan patients can expect greater access to clinical research, drug trials and personalized medicine.
VAI also expects the alliance to generate more scientific projects and help them recruit qualified scientific staff to fill its new 240,000-square-foot research facility, set to open this fall.
Source: Van Andel Institute
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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at [email protected].
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