IMS Magazine - Summer 2012 edition in PDF format - Institute of ...

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
Letter from
the Editor
Nearly sixty years ago in a letter to Nature, Watson and Crick wrote: “We wish to
suggest a structure for the salt of deoxyribose nucleic acid (DNA). This structure
has novel features which are of considerable biological interest.” This first identification
of DNA has paved the way for the field of medical genomics and, unknowingly to its
discoverers at the time, has given promise of revolutionizing the diagnosis and treatment
of many illnesses.
This milestone should once again remind us that a scientific discovery can open up a multitude
of opportunities for future research. In this issue of the IMS Magazine, we guide you
through a detailed timeline of the evolution of molecular medicine—from the principles of
heredity, to the first discovery of genomic DNA, to the identification of novel genes of various
diseases. I hope it will inspire young researchers to think about the long-term implications
of their research findings.
Furthermore, with the help of our experts, we hope to educate you about some of the innovative
research surrounding genomic medicine here at the IMS. We discuss next-generation
sequencing technologies, human genetic variation, pharmacogenomics, epigenomics, and
important ethical considerations of its translation to patient care. We hope that this will
improve your understanding of personalized medicine and inform you about the ongoing,
cutting-edge science at our institute.
I also encourage you to take a look at our Viewpoint section and weigh in on our more
contentious articles: we discuss the importance of understanding statistics in graduate education
and controversies centered around publishing in journals with high impact factors.
Be sure to also check out highlights from IMS Scientific Day, as well as our Close Up section
featuring the winner of the Mel Silverman Mentorship Award, Dr. Gary Remington.
Natalie Venier
Editor-In-Chief
Natalie Venier is a third year PhD Candidate
at the Institute of Medical Science.
She is currently studying prostate cancer
chemoprevention at Sunnybrook Health
Sciences Centre.
To conclude, I would like to thank Dr. Allan Kaplan and the IMS department for their
ongoing support, and congratulate our newest design team on their outstanding efforts in
the production of this issue. I must acknowledge the phenomenal IMS Magazine team for
their creativity and dedication, and our exceptional Managing Editor, Nina Bahl, whose
dedication has been integral to our production. Lastly, I strongly encourage comments and
feedback letters as we continue to aspire to bring you the best of the IMS.
Enjoy!
Photo by Paulina Rzeczkowska
Natalie Venier
Editor-In-Chief, IMS Magazine
IMS MAGAZINE SUMMER 2012 GENOMIC MEDICINE | 06