Scripps Translational Science Institute

Timeline

October:
Scripps Health launched Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) and Scripps Genomic Medicine (SGM) and announced that it had recruited the internationally renown physician-scientist Eric J. Topol, M.D., to organize and lead the new programs.

March:
Dr. Topol enlisted two scientific leaders, Sarah Murray, Ph.D., and Nicholas J. Schork, Ph.D., to serve as Director of Genetics and Director of Research respectively at STSI and SGM.
October:
STSI and SGM held the first annual Future of Genomic Medicine conference, attended by senior researchers and physician-scientists as well as physicians-in-training and postdoctoral researchers and graduate students in the basic sciences.
November:
The Wellderly study, the first search for the genetic underpinnings of healthy aging, began recruitment of patients, all over 80-years-of age and without chronic diseases.

January:
STSI occupied its current space on the third floor of a new 60,000 sq. ft. building between TSRI and Scripps Clinic.
May:
The National Institutes of Health awarded STSI the highly competitive Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA).
September:
STSI awarded first round of pilot studies. These projects were the first time in the history of the institutions in the STSI network that multiple new teams of basic and clinical investigators agreed to work together on translational research.
October:
Scripps Genomic Health Initiative, the first-of-its-kind research study assessing the behavioral impact of personal genetic testing on consumers, began patient recruitment.

March:
The Gary and Mary West Wireless Health Institute (WWHI), a sister institute to STSI and SGM, is established.

STSI selected Samir Damani, M.D., PharmD., as the first scholar in the Master's Degree in Clinical and Translational Investigation program for physicians-in-training. Two other physicians-in-training are appointed scholars that year. A training program in Translational Research for Advanced Doctoral Students is subsequently initiated.
August:
Scripps Health announced the PINK study of common DNA variants in breast cancer.
September:
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funded STSI's research proposal to characterize the molecular and morphologic features of circulating endothelial cells.
October:
Dr. Topol recruited a third scientific leader, Samuel Levy, Ph.D., to join STSI & SGM. Dr. Levy is Director of Genome Sciences.

Based on results of STSI research, Scripps Health began offering genetic testing to cardiovascular patients scheduled to undergo elective stent procedures. Scripps Health’s testing for the genetic variants linked to poor metabolism of the anti-clotting drug clopidrogel may have been a first for any health care system in the U.S.
December:
Scripps Health restructured its research enterprise so that Scripps Whittier Institute for Diabetes and the Scripps Clinical Research Services both report to Dr. Topol, Chief Academic Officer of Scripps Health as well as Director of STSI and SGM.

January:
Life Technologies Foundation awarded STSI and the Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute with grants to support the creation and management of the College of Genomic Medicine, to educate physicians and healthcare professionals in this rapidly developing field. (In Oct., USA Today published an article about physicians’ genomics knowledge.)
February:
Scripps Health announced STSI’s new Human Tumor Sequencing (HUTS) study.
August:
Scripps Genomic Medicine and Sanofi-aventis announced a strategic alliance to advance research and development initiatives in the field of individualized medicine.
September:
Initial results of the Scripps Genomic Health Initiative were published in Genetics in Medicine.

Genetic variations in child’s DNA may help predict cardiovascular disease risk, according to results of a STSI/SGM longitudinal study that were published in PLoS Genetics.
October:
STSI-led study validated gene expression test for diagnosing obstructive coronary artery disease. Results were published in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Also in 2010:
The National Institutes of Health awarded grants based on the findings from six STSI pilot studies. Another pilot study leads to a fellowship award.

January:
In the New England Journal of Medicine, STSI researchers Cinnamon S. Bloss, Ph.D., Nicholas J. Schork, Ph.D., and Eric J. Topol, M.D., reported that personal genomics testing did not induce psychological anxiety among participants in the Scripps Genomic Health Initiative. For more information: Scripps Health's news release