4 | November 14, 2013 | synapse.ucsf.edu
Gene Patents » FROM HOME PAGE
evated risk of breast cancer, isolating a gene was non-trivial. Now that the human genome has been sequenced, however, in a sense there are no more genes to be “discovered.” In the future, discussion will likely move to whether individual gene variants may be patented. However, with multiplexing technologies, it could become impractical and expensive to patent and defend hundreds of polymorphisms uncovered in a given screen. The key will be to develop far-sighted patent rules that balance a commitment to private industry and protection of investment with rational ideas of what should and should not be protected. How do Gene Patents Affect Patients? With much discussion revolving around the economic implications of gene patenting, it becomes easy to lose sight of the real goal of drug development: to treat patients and meet unmet medical needs in a safe and accessible way. Indeed, one of the greatest benefits of patent law is that it requires immediate disclosure of patented discoveries to the public, which could guide doctors when treating patients. Without patent protection, companies would be likely to keep the results of research and clinical studies secret for as long as possible to maintain a competitive edge in the market. On the other hand, proprietary ownership of genetic information may make it difficult for patients to seek a second opinion before undergoing expensive or invasive treatments. With the newly passed Affordable Care Act (i.e. “ObamaCare”), many more people will be insured and may seek preventative care. One company’s monopoly on a particular preventive diagnostic test would likely result in a higher cost for that test. Indeed, while health insurance providers typically foot most of the $3,000 Myriad charges for its BRACAnalysis test, the high price tag could put a strain on the system when applied on a larger scale. Competition could make diagnostic health care more affordable, especially as personalized and preventative medicine become the new standards of treatment. Others argue, however, that paying a premium for new treatments now ensures the availability of cheaper alternatives in the future, while protecting the innovative process that led to their development.
Benjamin L Cohn is a fourth-year BMS student and a correspondent for the OBR-Bay Chapter.
NEWS
Science Festival Brings Thousands to Ballpark Staff Report
T
he Bay Area Science Festival capped its third annual run with a huge turnout for Discovery Day at AT&T Park. About 30,000 people flooded the ballpark on November 2 to check out more than 150 interactive science exhibits, including a virtual reality experience, a tour of human organs in the Giants dugout and an opportunity to build your own Legoscope, a working microscope made from toy building block pieces. David Chiu, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, welcomed the crowd at 11 a.m., with an official ribbon-cutting by a member of the Robot Zoo. The robots, on display in Willie Mays Plaza, were later pitted against each other for a Frisbee-throwing challenge.
SCIENCE FESTIVAL » PAGE 5
Precision Medicine » FROM HOME PAGE
Photo by Dr. Esteban Burchard Pharmacy School students plan the Precision Medicine Lecture Series. (Left to right): Linda Chen, Megan Li, Pin Xiang, Dr. Alan Wu, Henock Walde, Gha-Hyun Kim, Dor Keyvani, Derek Phan, Collin Yu, Som Young, Julia Choi, Nancy Ta.
pharmacy student Dor Keyvani, is a series of lunchtime discussions that aim to familiarize students with the most current and cuttingedge research, tools, and practices in the field of precision medicine. Keyvani developed his interest in this field even before arriving at UCSF. His vision for the series emerged after he learned more about pharmacogenetics in a course taught by Dr. Esteban Burchard of the Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences and Medicine. Dr. Burchard met with Keyvani and encouraged him to think on a grand scale. With the help of Dr. Burchard and his research associates, Keyvani recruited an all-star lineup of speakers from 23andMe, uBiome, Genentech, Genomic Health and the Gladstone Institutes to discuss topics such as pharmacogenetics and genetic ancestry, the human microbiome, classical pharmacology, genome-driven oncology and stem cells. Simultaneously, third-year pharmacy students Pin Xiang and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacogenomics PhD student Megan Li developed the second initiative while serving as teaching assistants for Dr. Burchard’s pharmacogenetics course. With the aid of Dr. Alan Wu, Department of Pathology and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiang and Li are coordinating a pilot study in genetic testing of first-year pharmacy students. They aim to determine students’ attitudes and perspectives towards genetic testing and how getting genetically phenotyped for different metabolic enzymes affects student learning of pharmacogenetics. The development of these precision medicine initiatives was “an organic, student-led movement,” said Dr. Burchard, and is sup-
ported by the School of Pharmacy’s Dean, Dr. Joseph Guglielmo, and the faculty. The success of the initiatives rests largely on the dedication shown by Keyvani, Xiang and Li. “Since I have been teaching the class for 10 years now, this is the first time that I’ve had three students that were super highly motivated to run with it,” said Dr. Burchard. “It’s one thing to have the idea, and another to have it come into play. The students get most of the credit.” It is expected that the success of the initiatives will attract other schools within UCSF to join the movement. The lecture series is already drawing attendees from across disciplines, noted Dr. Sam Oh, a postdoctoral scholar in Dr. Burchard’s laboratory and a supporter of the initiative. “I was waiting in line to get into the [Precision Medicine Discussion] lecture, and I turned to the person behind me and asked, ‘Which department or school are you in?’, and they replied, ‘Transplant medicine,’ ” he said. Pharmacies will soon become the point of contact for clinical labs following recent FDA approval, which will make patient counseling on laboratory and genetic testing within the scope of practice of a PharmD. Companies such as Theranos, the Silicon Valley-based life sciences company that has recently partnered with Walgreens pharmacies, are making diagnostic testing accessible and convenient for patients by providing a full blood workup from just a few drops of blood. Pharmacies are bringing precision medicine to the patients, allowing patients to play an active role in their health care. The first Precision Medicine Discussion lecture was hosted by UCSF alumnus Dr. Bethann Hromatka of 23andMe, who spoke
about the company’s genetic testing service and research platform. She also discussed the power of genetic information and how different tools can be used to help individuals learn about their genetic makeup, including what health risks they are predisposed to and how they will respond to certain medications. The second lecture was hosted by uBiome co-founder Jessica Richman, who described how her start-up crowd-sourcing company sequences the genomes of microbial populations from different sites of individuals’ bodies. By sampling from the nose, mouth, skin, gut and genitals, the company hopes to establish direct correlations between an individual’s microbiome and his or her health. Both companies look to empower individuals to play an active role in their health through gaining more knowledge about themselves. Upcoming discussions this fall include: •• Dr. Joseph Ware of Genentech, November 14; •• Dr. Audrey Goddard of Genomic Health, November 19; •• Dr. Bruce Conklin of the Gladstone Institutes, December 2. All the discussions will be held from noon-1 p.m. in Health Sciences West (HSW) 303. In future, this initiative hopes to spread to other disciplines and include student projects and community outreach. To join the movement or learn more about the Initiatives, email Dor Keyvani, Pin Xiang or Dr. Esteban Burchard.
Priya Jayachandran is a first-year pharmacy student.
NP Student » FROM HOME PAGE
of resources and useful links for Flashcards and Medical Spanish. “I think one of the most helpful sections of the website is the ‘Study by System’ section,” said Rodda. “We really put a lot of care into including conditions that are essential for students in pediatric primary care rotations. You can go to a system and see a well-selected list of conditions that can help you organize a differential — and better yet, click on a condition and learn more about its diagnosis and management!” Rodda added, “Now that I’m working, I have NP Student opened on my computer all day. It's the mother lode of pediatric primary care resources that we never had the time to create while we were in school.” So, for all future nurse practitioners out there (and really anyone interested in pediatric care), check out npstudent.com or facebook.com/ npstudent. It also can make you start to think. What can I do after graduation to help and inspire those still trudging through the trenches of grad school?
Hannah Patzke, RN, is a first-year student in the Advanced Practice Public Health Nursing program.