As an academic health and research center, OHSU uses several methods to understand the many causes of diseases and to develop new treatments. These methods include: genetic studies, tissue studies, computer modeling, and human and animal studies. OHSU is not alone. Every major university, business and organization involved in health research uses these same methods. Occasionally, OHSU receives questions about the role of animals in research. There are several common questions…and below are some answers. … Read More
It’s not exactly a catchphrase, but biomedical informatics is a big deal at academic health centers like OHSU. In short, it’s a field linked to the tremendous amount of complex information developed through health care and research. The experts can explain things a lot better than I. In fact, I found an OHSU video recently which helps clarify things. Here it is.
Here’s the latest on one of my favorite stories that I’ve covered at OHSU. Recently, a pioneering method to clone stem cells that was developed by OHSU researcher Shoukhrat Mitalipov was granted a patent. The research, which was conducted at the OHSU Oregon National Primate Research Center, has amazing potential. I spoke to Shoukhrat about the procedure and the patent. Here’s a video clip Want more info? Here are a few news … Read More
I spotted an interesting article this week about a Canadian university’s decision to be more open about animal research. From CBC news: In an effort to increase transparency, the University of British Columbia released data showing the school used over 200,000 animals in research testing last year. Here’s the link. We certainly hope this is a trend that continues. OHSU has long believed that the health care institutions should be transparent about their necessary use … Read More
The OHSU Brain Institute announced on Sept. 14 that it is the proud sponsor of Gunther von Hagen’s newest BODY WORLDS exhibit at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, beginning Oct. 20. BODY WORLDS and The Brain will run for several months at OMSI. It follows the enormously popular 2007 BODY WORLDS at OMSI, which OHSU also sponsored. Nearly 400,000 people visited that exhibit during the exhibit’s four-month run. BODY WORLDS & The Brain … Read More
Good partners often have some shared history. That’s certainly the case with FEI and Oregon Health & Science University. FEI and OHSU announced on Sept. 13 that they are working together to create the Living Lab for Cell Biology. The OHSU/FEI Living Lab will provide researchers with state-of-the-art electron microscopes to advance the understanding and treatment of complex diseases such as cancer and AIDS. The collaboration is designed to help both partners move forward. OHSU … Read More
The Oregonian’s Joe Rojas posted an interesting blog item today about research efforts that don’t pan out. Here’s a link to the full post. Here’s an excerpt Placing wire mesh stents in brain arteries for stroke protection failed big time in the first randomized clinical trial, reported widely this week. Safety monitors halted the Wingspan stent trial in April after seeing more strokes and deaths among people randomly assigned to receive stents. You would never … Read More
Melanoma is one of the most dangerous forms of skin cancer, because of its ability to spread to other parts of the body. This year alone, there will be about 70,000 new cases of melanoma in the U.S. and about 8,700 deaths, according to estimates published by the National Cancer Institute. The good news is the fight against melanoma is gaining momentum. John Gray, an Oregon real estate developer and industrialist, gave $5 million to … Read More
I just issued a press release that says a lot about the good people who work at OHSU’s primate center. During an inspection last week, the USDA reviewed the center over a period of 2 days and found no noncompliant items. See below: That’s a pretty significant thing given the fact these these inspections are unannounced and very comprehensive. As for our animal housing facilities themselves, I just shot some video of our outdoor … Read More
Scientists and physicians at the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Institute recently found new clues that could help them figure out why drugs that target mutations in breast tumors won’t be effective in stamping out cancer in some patients. The study, published a study in the Annals of Surgical Oncology, sheds light on mutations found in stem cells that could be causing some breast cancers to develop and may be the reason the … Read More
