Scripps Translational Science Institute

In the quest to provide individualized medicine, knowing the biology of a person via genomics (and all the “omics” including proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, and “biomarkers”) is one essential step. The other goal is knowing about the individual’s physiology. This has become possible through the use of non-invasive wireless sensors that can continuously collect data on such metrics as blood pressure, heart rhythm and rate, oxygen saturation in the blood, blood glucose, and many more.

STSI is working closely with the West Wireless Health Institute, which is co-localized in the same geographical area, to provide a unique coupling of individualized definition --- of biology and physiology. We have been able to create a unique “digital medicine cluster” as our two institutes are working in tandem and synergistically to provide the biological and physiological “panoramic” view of each individual.

For example, if we know someone has a genomic risk for diabetes, we can use a continuous glucose sensor to hopefully prevent the condition from ever manifesting. New ways to screen breast cancer with wireless ultrasound imaging can potentially be used for women with high genomic susceptibility. By coupling genomics and wireless we are bringing two exceptionally powerful tools together to define each person at unprecedented levels with the ultimate goal of the prevention of disease and preservation of health.

View video of Eric J. Topol, M.D.’s TEDMED 2009 presentation about
“The Wireless Future of Medicine"

Read World Changing Ideas, in the Dec. 2011 Scientific American.

---