Translating Science to Medicine
Brown University neuroscientist Justin Fallon has always been interested in the pathology of how things go wrong.
As he explained to Groton Science students and faculty during an evening lecture last week, that interest eventually led him to ask questions and make connections between protein molecules, muscle function, and a gene. Those basic science findings are currently being translated into a novel treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Dr. Fallon spoke about the progression of Duchenne's and how understanding that progression was crucial in developing the treatment. The same research is likely to be relevant to the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and other muscular diseases.
For Groton's AP Biology students, the talk was a relevant application of their study of the role of proteins in cell differentiation and function. For others in the capacity crowd at the Campbell Performing Arts Center's black box theater, the talk was an inspiring insight into a scientific career and a glimpse into the business side of biotechnology.
When speaking about making discoveries, Dr. Fallon asked the audience, "What's the second thing you do when you make an important scientific discovery? The first thing you do is you call your mother, but the second thing? Call your patent attorney. Without a patent, there is no therapy."—Bobbie Lamont
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Dr. Fallon spoke about the progression of Duchenne's and how understanding that progression was crucial in developing the treatment. The same research is likely to be relevant to the treatment of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) and other muscular diseases.
For Groton's AP Biology students, the talk was a relevant application of their study of the role of proteins in cell differentiation and function. For others in the capacity crowd at the Campbell Performing Arts Center's black box theater, the talk was an inspiring insight into a scientific career and a glimpse into the business side of biotechnology.
When speaking about making discoveries, Dr. Fallon asked the audience, "What's the second thing you do when you make an important scientific discovery? The first thing you do is you call your mother, but the second thing? Call your patent attorney. Without a patent, there is no therapy."—Bobbie Lamont
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