This report sent in by Lower Wallingford Correspondent, Chris Witwer. And in the spirit of full disclosure: Chris works for the biologists who are the focus of this post.
Ever wonder what that brick building is on 34th street, across from Essential Baking? Or do you know it simply as “The Biology Place?” Perhaps you saw the “Institute for Systems Biology” listed as a sponsor of the Wallingford Kiddies Parade & wondered who the heck they are. Want to know more?
The Institute for Systems Biology is a nonprofit research institute founded in 2000 with the mission of transforming biological and medical research by creating and using “systems” approaches to unravel the workings of complex biological systems.
The Institute’s ultimate goal is to enhance people’s lives by using the science of systems biology to predict, prevent, and cure disease. Just as growing scientific knowledge helped eradicate smallpox, the bubonic plague, and polio, a greater understanding of how the body works will contribute to the battle against such modern plagues as cancer, AIDS, and diabetes. The Institute is working toward the development of “P4 Medicine” which is predictive, preventative, personalized, and participatory.
The Science Channel is airing a program on October 5th (9pm, et/pt) titled, “The Future of Habitat” a segment of which was filmed at the Institute. The program will include an interview with co-founder Leroy Hood, who discusses a DNA chip in development that will be able to scan the body for disease — maybe even from your own home!
Check with your cable provider to see if you receive the Science Channel, or visit the Institute’s website for more information about systems biology and P4 medicine.
I work at a hotel where a lot of visiting scientists stay for ISB and they are all really smart people and really nice. It’s good to know that this type of work is being done in the hood.