Van Andel Research Institute (VARI) primarily conducts basic research, studying cells and molecules to find ways to treat cancer, Parkinson's, and other diseases. So how does knowing more about a gene or protein help patients?
New Drug Targets
Researchers look for genes, proteins, and other molecules that play a role in disease and study whether targeting them can help patients.
Better Drug Design
Detailed structural information about drug targets at the molecular level can be used by drug developers to design therapies that are more potent with fewer side effects.
Early Diagnosis
Biomarkers, such as a protein found in elevated levels in cancer patients, can help diagnose diseases earlier. This is especially important in cancers that are usually too advanced by the time they are diagnosed.
Personalized Medicine
This method treats each patient based on his or her genetic profile rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, and depends on detailed molecular data from researchers.
