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Division of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine

The Division of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine (TSMM) is a new division within the Office of the Dean of the College of Human Medicine at MSU. We are physically located within the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. TSMM is part of the expansion of the College of Human Medicine into the Grand Rapids Metropolitan Area.

Feel free to look around and learn more about our faculty and the research that we conduct.

Jack W. Lipton, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Translational Science & Molecular Medicine

What is Translational Science?

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have implemented the Roadmap Initiative to highlight the need for greater investment in "translational research". This doctrine states: "... that to improve human health, scientific discoveries must be translated into practical applications. Such discoveries typically begin at "the bench" with basic research - in which scientists study disease at a molecular or cellular level - then progress to the clinical level, or the patient's 'bedside'. Scientists are increasingly aware that this bench-to-bedside approach to translational research is a bidirectional process. Basic scientists provide clinicians with new tools for use in patients and for assessment of their impact, and clinical researchers make novel observations about the nature and progression of disease that often stimulate basic investigations. Translational research has proven to be a powerful process that drives the clinical research engine. However, a stronger research infrastructure could strengthen and accelerate this critical part of the clinical research enterprise."

What is Molecular Medicine?

Molecular medicine is a broad based discipline which relies more on fundamental molecular mechanisms of biological processes to understand and treat disease rather than a systems based approach to patient medicine.

Photography by Dr. Lalitha Madhavan.

Mission

Research

The Division of Translational Science and Molecular Medicine (TSMM) acts as a catalyst for enhancing bidirectional opportunities for clinical, basic and translational research. TSMM's mission is to provide the infrastructure to conduct preclinical and translational medical research in collaboration with clinical and basic science faculty throughout MSU, as well as with our strategic health partners in Grand Rapids (Van Andel Institute, St. Mary's Health Care and Spectrum Hospital). It is also part of our mission to provide educational opportunities to basic and physician-scientists committed to patient-oriented research. TSMM plans to be a broad based department divided into team-oriented sections based upon medical discipline. Currently, TSMM houses the Translational Neuroscience Research Team which is focused primarily on neurodegenerative disease research.

Education

The TSMM educational mission will concentrate on specialized coursework and doctoral and postdoctoral level mentorship. Course offerings will be created as needed and highlight specific topics centered around TSMM section disciplines and will survey basic, preclinical and translational studies highlighting disease/disorder based therapeutic strategies.

Questions or need to contact someone in TSMM?

Call or email:

michelle.gartland@hc.msu.edu

Mailing Address: