Geisinger-Regeneron’s Big Data Project
There’s a gold rush among major healthcare providers to acquire tissue samples for biobanks which in turn support genetic and proteomic research. A single well-characterized tumor sample, for example, can be worth several thousand dollars. Results of DNA sequencing, microarray analysis and protein profiling of large numbers of samples can “personalize” the definition of disease, predict onset and guide therapy—widely assumed to be medicine’s future. Geisinger Health System (Danville, PA) created its biobank in 2006 and now has partnered with Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Tarrytown, NY) to test 100,000 samples for prediction discoveries. One of its aims is to determine, based on genetics for obesity, whether bariatric surgery will benefit patients in the long term. Besides its renowned hospitals and clinics, Geisinger’s system includes the Weis Center for Research and the Center for Clinical Studies. MORE
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