Individual differences in genes and proteins can allow a disease to develop, grow, and spread in one person but not another, and also dictate how individuals respond to treatments. Oregon Health & Science University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory launched the Precision Medicine Innovation Co-Laboratory in February 2018 to integrate patient-specific differences in diagnosis and clinical care. The scope of the joint venture was expanded to include basic science research programs and it was renamed the Pacific northwest bioMedical Innovation Co-laboratory (PMedIC) in January 2022. PMedIC aims to generate, interpret, and integrate multidimensional omics and imaging data with clinical results to gain mechanistic understanding of disease and develop innovative therapies.
PMedIC leadership act as a clearinghouse for researchers, matching them to subject matter experts at both OHSU and PNNL. They also assist in putting together teams for the development of joint proposals, help investigators identify sources of funding for pilot projects, and assist with proposal management.
New insights from PMedIC's approach will inform clinical trials, leading to more customized treatments and better patient outcomes.
Josh Adkins
PNNL Co-Director
Laboratory Fellow, Biochemist, Group Leader
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
joshua.adkins@PNNL.gov
Joshua Adkins is a biochemist whose research centers primarily on applying cutting-edge mass spectrometry capabilities to nationally important biological research. Josh is the HHS Sector Manager in the Biological Sciences Division. He has 20 years of experience at PNNL where his research has centered on the comprehensive characterization of proteins through space (associated proteins, structural determinants, and localization) and time (before and after treatment, cell cycle, day-night cycle, and evolutionary changes) to better understand biological systems. Josh has used different biological models to highlight the capabilities of PNNL, these models have ranged from host-pathogen interactions to human exercise/physical activity to environmental microbes. Josh works with talented and multidisciplinary teams scientists from PNNL, universities, and other research organizations to pursue scientific impact.
Jamie Lo, MD
OHSU Co-Director
Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine
Oregon Health & Science University
loj@ohsu.edu
Jamie Lo is an Associate Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal Fetal Medicine, at OHSU with joint appointments in the Department of Urology at OHSU, and in the Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences at the Oregon National Primate Research Center. She received her M.D. from Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) and completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Utah. She subsequently pursued fellowship training in Maternal Fetal Medicine and a Masters in Clinical Research at OHSU. She is a physician scientist with a research focus on the effects of environmental exposure (particularly substance use) on reproductive health and offspring outcomes using non-human primate models and human cohorts. Specifically, she studies the underlying mechanisms between maternal environmental factors and placental perfusion and fetal development. The current focus of her laboratory is on the impact of paternal and maternal use of cannabis preconception, and during the pregnancy and postnatal period on reproductive health and offspring outcomes.
Jason McDermott
PNNL Education Outreach
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Jason McDermott has a joint appointment with the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at OHSU. He has active collaborations in the areas of bacterial pathogenesis, iron homeostasis, cancer, and computational pathway analysis. In PMedic, he works to provide educational opportunities and build stronger connections with students, post-docs, and staff for application of computational methods in biology.
Ryan Steel
Senior Alliance Manager, OHSU Collaborations & Entrepreneurship
Oregon Health & Science University
Ryan has PhD in biomedical science and more than 14 years research experience spanning neuroscience, vascular malformations, cancer, and infectious disease areas. As part of the PMedIC core team, Ryan supports the development of new and maintenance of existing collaborations between OHSU and PNNL scientists.
Ronn Leon
Senior Alliance Manager, OHSU Collaborations & Entrepreneurship
Oregon Health & Science University
Ronn received his Ph.D. from the University of Colorado and has over 22 years of research experience, and 5 years of research contracting (industry and academia) experience. As a member of the PMedIC core team, Ronn works closely with OHSU faculty and other members of the OHSU community to maximize the value and success of PNNL collaborations to help advance research and the quality of patient care.
PNNL researchers - in cooperation with many others - are exploring important health issues such as Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's and more at the molecular level. With PNNL's capabilities and the data being generated, researchers are advancing the treatment and prevention of disease in the future.
A special hybrid seminar where we shared insights about the dynamic partnership between OHSU and PNNL.
Dr. James Evans and Dr. Steve Reichow will present on their PMedIC collaboration at the Pacific Northwest Center for Cryo-EM.
OHSU Innovates is proud to support researchers and providers at OHSU who are striving to turn scientific ideas into real world solutions. Hear from a few of these OHSU members and learn what motivates them and how OHSU fosters innovation, collaboration and entrepreneurship.