The Department of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine
The Department of Translational Science & Molecular Medicine (TSMM) is a new department 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.
Feel free to look around and learn more about our faculty and the research that we conduct.
What is Translational Science?
Unlike basic biomedical research which is concerned with understanding the essential function of biologic processes, translational research applies basic science findings with the intent of moving them from the laboratory to the clinic. Translational research focuses on the development of treatment strategies for patients including new drugs, devices and therapies. Translational research is the “middle-man” in a continuous cycle between basic scientists and physicians. For example, translational researchers can provide clinicians with novel tools to use in the clinic, whereas clinicians often make observations about their patient’s disease that guides the research focus of translational researchers. Knowledge gained through translational research is referred to as translational science. The overall goal of translational science is to efficiently and swiftly tackle complex health challenges and deliver therapeutic treatments to clinicians and their patients. To accomplish this goal, translational science employs multidisciplinary collaborations of many different investigators, each with specialized skills to address the particular problem at hand. The ultimate goal of translational science is to translate science into better health.
What is Molecular Medicine?
Molecular medicine involves the study of how specific molecules, cellular processes and genes become abnormal in different disease states. The knowledge gained is then used to devise novel approaches to diagnose disease and correct disease abnormalities.
Mission
Research
The Department 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.
The Department 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.
