For generations to come...
Every day, history and progress are being made as researchers at the Los Angeles Biomedical Research Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center delve into the intricacies of human health in search of new understanding—understanding that will lead to important preventive approaches, treatments and even cures for human disease for this generation...and for generations to come...
In 1900, there were 1.5 billion people in the world. Now, there are 6.5 billion. We live together, work together, travel together and, as a result, the potential for spread of disease is high. Global boundaries in the world of infectious disease are functionally disappearing.� John E. Edwards, Jr., M.D., adult infectious diseases
A New World
(IMAGE LO RES)
The world has become infinitely smaller, more inter-connected. From the threat of bio-terrorism and environmental impacts on human health to the dangers of infectious diseases, global health concerns have emerged as a priority.
LA BioMed investigators are taking on some of the most vexing global health challenges. Among them are HIV/AIDS, Candida, tuberculosis and eye infections that blind thousands of children in developing countries each year. Progress in the prevention, treatment and management of infectious diseases will have worldwide impact. Working to address the increasing number of dangerous organisms that now recognize and resist conventional antibiotics, LA BioMed researchers are pioneering innovative approaches to overcoming the very mechanisms of resistance as well as augmenting the human immune system. One day soon, a single vaccine, identified and developed at LA BioMed, may prevent both the first and the second major causes of death from blood infection. At the same time, LA BioMed researchers are tackling other diseases and health issues that affect people both here and around the world, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, mental health, nutrition, and care of mothers and infants.
sickle cell anemia
People throughout the world suffer from the ravages of sickle cell anemia. While continuing the search for prevention and cure, research at LA BioMed has already resulted in a promising new means of alleviating the debilitating symptoms of the disease, allowing sickle cell patients to lead more normal lives.
We believe we’re on a path that may lead us to a common therapeutic approach for treating several debilitating autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile-onset diabetes, lupus and Graves’ disease.”
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD – is an expanding global problem. We’ve done a lot to make the lives of patients with COPD more bearable, but we have no cure. One day we may actually be able to re-grow lung tissue. We aren’t there yet, but we are well past the starting line.”
Terry Smith, M.D., molecular medicine
Richard Casaburi, PH.D., M.D., Respiratory Medicine
Established in 1952, LA BioMed’s record of discovery spans more than five decades. In the 1960’s, LA BioMed scientists achieved successful fertilization through artificial implantation of the ovum, a breakthrough that would lead to the world’s first ovum transfer birth some 20 years later. In 1969, institute investigators created the paramedic model for emergency care that is now a lifesaving standard worldwide.
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Medicine continues to evolve with the help of powerful new tools developed at the research bench and applied at the patient bedside.
The progress we make is driven by our commitment to research and the collegial approach we take by sharing our findings, our knowledge and our perspectives.� Sharon Adler, M.D., nephrology
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Breaking New Ground 13
Tools like genomics, proteomics, structural biology and imaging technologies are shaping research and moving healthcare toward a new era.
The interaction of diseases, genetics, environment and behavior is often at the core of health problems. By emphasizing collaboration and an interdisciplinary approach to problem-solving, new perspectives emerge and innovative approaches can be developed. At LA BioMed, cross-disciplinary collaborations are exploring the relationship between renal and cardiac disease, the lasting impact of events in the womb (fetal programming), autoimmune diseases, central nervous system disorders and more. Robust faculty interaction and cooperation lead the way to new insights and discoveries.
New insight into CKD
What’s changed is the recognition that chronic kidney disease (CKD) is very common, that it increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from other causes and, now, that it is potentially treatable. 14
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Fetal programming may affect not only a person’s appetite and activity, but also the formation of blood vessels, kidneys and fat cells—all of which determine the likelihood of disease. Understanding this process can ultimately help us prevent problems in later life.” Michael Ross, M.D., M.P.H., Obstetrics & Gynecology
For decades, medical genetics was a diagnostic specialty. People would come to geneticists to find out what was wrong with their children. There was not much else we could do. Today, we’re focused on the treatment of genetic disease. Finding treatments and helping patients – that is what being a research doctor is all about.” Patricia Dickson, M.D., Pediatrics/Medical Genetics
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In the 1970’s, LA BioMed’s renowned developmental biology research team discovered the key to stimulating human growth. Other teams of LA BioMed investigators pioneered diagnostic tests that remain the standard today, including the modern cholesterol test, a test to detect Tay-Sachs Disease carriers and a thyroid deficiency test for infants now used in most of the industrialized world to help prevent irreversible developmental disabilities.
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P e d i at r i c E y e I n f e c t i o n s Im a g i n g Te c h n o l o g i e s Skin diseases D i s e a s e s o f t h e B r a i n & Ce n t r a l Ne r v o u s s y s t em Kidney Disease CANC E R
Fe ta l De v e l o pme n t a n d f e ta l p r o g r a mm i n g
Inherited Disorders
He a r t D i s e a s e
Ne w S u r g i c a l App r o a c h e s
Va c c i n eS C i r c u l at o ry D i s o r d e r s
Diabetes
Allergies
Liver Disease
LA BioMed scientists are confronting today’s major healthcare challenges.
Addictions
A u t o i mm u n e D i s o r d e r s
Fe r t i l i t y
C o n t r a c ep t i o n E M E RG E NCY M E DICIN E
better Diagnostics
M e n ta l i l l n e s s
H o r m o n e & M E TABOLIC DISORD E RS C h r o n i c o b s t r u c t i v e p u l m o n a ry d i s e a s e HIV / AIDS i n fa n t L u n g De v e l o pme n t
Infectious Diseases Ce n t r a l Ne r v o u s S y s t em D i s o r d e r s 20
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The Institute’s extensive post-doctoral fellowship programs are for physicians and scientists engaged in a number of medical and research disciplines, including studies of the immune, cardio-vascular, pulmonary, endocrine, genito-urinary, reproductive, neurological and other systems. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, the American Heart Association, the National Kidney Foundation, the County of Los Angeles and other organizations and agencies, these coveted fellowships enable talented researchers to hone their skills and embark on serious investigation in their specialty areas. Beyond its role as a proving ground for the best and the brightest young biomedical researchers, LA BioMed reaches out to introduce biomedical science to high school and college students. Many recent high school graduates, motivated by their internship experience as LA BioMed summer fellows, have gone on to training in some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions, including MIT, Harvard, Stanford, CalTech and UCLA. Some have returned as post-graduate research fellows or as physicians at HarborUCLA Medical Center.
Many of the important health breakthroughs and discoveries of the future will emerge from the minds and diligence of researchers who embarked on their journey of discovery at LA BioMed.” Kouichi “Corky” Tanaka, M.D., M.A.C.P., medical oncology / hematology
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Nurturing Scientific Leadership 23
With a continuing commitment to nurturing the research leaders of tomorrow, LA BioMed offers exciting opportunities to younger physicianscientists to pursue their passion for patient care and discovery in an environment that allows physicians to move seamlessly between bedside and the laboratory.
“LA BioMed is more facile and supportive of emerging researchers than almost anywhere else. Things can happen very quickly here.� Noah Craft, M.D., Ph.D., d.t.m.h., dermatology/adult infectious diseases
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The Future
Some of the research fellows who have trained here are now leading major research initiatives around the world. More importantly, some have continued their research projects at LA BioMed, creating a pool of young, energetic researchers ready to take leadership positions in the next decade. 26
Like science for science’s sake, acquiring knowledge solely for oneself can be a noble effort, but it dies with you — what you teach lives on. And the more people we can involve in the search for answers, the better chance we will have of finding them.” Michael Yeaman, M.Sc., Ph.D., adult infectious diseases
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The 1980s were marked by enormous technological advances and growth for the campus, including the establishment of a Perinatal Clinical Research Center, one of eight in the United States dedicated to research involving mothers and infants. Among other achievements in this decade, LA BioMed investigators helped develop refined synthetic surfactants to treat premature infants with underdeveloped lungs. The LA BioMed Vaccine Center evaluated a number of important vaccine candidates, including vaccines for influenza and herpes simplex. 28
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LA BioMed scientists and physicianscientists are building on a legacy of innovation that has spanned more than half a century and generations of research leaders dedicated to enhancing human health.
Today’s biomedical research discoveries at the bench are rapidly translated into clinical research, adopted as best practices and accepted by the community. As LA BioMed fulfills its mission, research turns to the promise of better medical care. Christina Wang, M.D., Endocrinology
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SYNERGIES
LA BioMed is an independent institution. But, its affiliations with Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA are integral to both its research and training missions. 31
LA BioMed’s core mission may best be described as science in the service of patients.
Bringing discovery closer to cure is a goal of LA BioMed’s extensive involvement in clinical trials. With access to an uncommonly diverse patient population, LA BioMed has become an important center for national and international studies that are evaluating the efficacy of new drugs and therapies and assessing their impact on patient outcomes. LA BioMed also licenses vaccines, diagnostics and therapies to pharmaceutical and medical instrumentation companies. And in the early part of this decade, has spawned four new biotechnology “start-ups.” These new ventures are already generating more than $6 million in economic benefits for the region, according to the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.
Putting Discovery to Work 32
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CLINICAL trials
Major clinical trials at LA BioMed have included tests of endovascular devices (stents), antidepressants, imaging devices, prevention and treatment strategies for breast and prostate cancer, male contraceptives and many more. The Vaccine Center at LA BioMed is a national resource in testing to determine efficacy and safety. The Center has engaged in important clinical trials for vaccines dealing with smallpox, pneumonia, meningitis and even cancer.
What has truly distinguished the work of LA BioMed investigators for more than half a century is the remarkable ability to facilitate biomedical innovation and transfer new approaches to the medical community.
Translating discovery
This process of “technology transfer” requires both scientific ingenuity and management commitment to identify, evaluate, market and license the Institute’s important discoveries and to bring the benefits of those discoveries to patients and their families. LA BioMed is known in the business and venture communities as an entrepreneurial and responsive partner in technology transfer. 34
LA BioMed’s location in a truly international metropolitan area is critical to its research enterprise. The breadth of ethnic, racial and socio-economic diversity found in the patient populations served by the Harbor-UCLA campus is unparalleled.” ROWAN CHLEBOWSKI, M.D., ONCOLOGY
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Continuing to pioneer treatments and technologies to improve human health in the 1990s and into the new millennium, LA BioMed advances have included the use of new, non-invasive techniques for detecting breast cancer, the use of antiviral medications to treat HIV infections, advances in male contraception, an enzyme replacement therapy to help young victims of a devastating genetic disorder, Hurler’s Syndrome, and rehabilitation strategies for millions of sufferers of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
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LA BioMed operates 10 WIC (Women, Infants and Children) sites that provide federallyfunded nutrition programs for pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women along with their children under the age of five. Other community programs include the Women’s Health Care Clinic, Youth Health Service Corps and South Los Angeles Best Babies Coalition, as well as newborn screening, immunization, nutrition education and obesity prevention programs. LA BioMed contributes to the community in other ways, as well. It is an important economic engine for Los Angeles and Orange Counties—generating more than $150 million in economic activity, including some 1,500 jobs totaling more than $60 million in salaries and wages and more than $4 million in tax revenue.
Connecting With the Community 38
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LA BioMed is actively engaged in outreach to underserved populations in the southern half of Los Angeles County to provide educational, preventive and screening services.
LA BioMed is a community treasure that deserves our fullest support.� Dee Hardison, Former Mayor of Torrance, past chair, LA BioMed Board of Directors
LA BioMed makes a powerful contribution to our economy, in addition to its many contributions to our communities through its research, training of young scientists and immunization initiatives.� Bill Allen, President, Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation
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Partnering
We try to engage the community, understand their needs and bring resources that will make a difference.” Dan Castro, M.D., family medicine
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Community involvement is a two-way street, and LA BioMed benefits greatly from the active involvement of civic leadership and community volunteers whose dedication has helped build LA BioMed’s reputation and resources. Community participation in both the Institute’s Board of Directors and the LA BioMed Foundation speaks to the organization’s growth and stature. 43
Preparing for the future means the recruitment of additional researchers to support current faculty in key areas of investigation. It means the addition of new laboratories, clinical studies facilities and instrumentation. And it means a continued commitment to a research environment that supports collaboration and promotes the exchange of scientific knowledge. Construction of the Hanley-Hardison Research Center, designed to bring departments and researchers together in closer physical proximity, is a key element in the evolution of the LA BioMed campus. This center provides a template for the future of discovery as LA BioMed pursues a course of measured growth to meet essential program needs.
By providing the necessary tools and infrastructure, LA BioMed allows our faculty to advance medical care through research.� Adam Jonas, M.D., pediatrics
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As one of the country’s leading biomedical research enterprises for more than five decades, LA BioMed is moving forward to meet the challenges of the 21st century, expanding the platform from which its talented faculty and staff can pursue their mission of discovery.
A Platform for Discovery 45
What compels us is a vision of a healthier future, and the knowledge that the work we do will make a difference‌ for generations to come.
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1124 West Carson Street Torrance, CA 90502 LABioMed.org
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