What is Molecular Medicine?
Research: Molecular medicine is the research approach that seeks to comprehend disease causes and disease mechanisms at the molecular level. By and large the
molecular level is understood as the realm of protein molecules, where life processes actually take place. For most of medical history physicians could treat only the symptoms or manifestations of disease. Today, powerful new technologies enable us to understand the fundamental molecular and genetic mechanism of diseases.
Genetics: Virtually every human disease has a direct genetic linkage. Like micro-pharmacies deep within us, genes dispense prescriptions (proteins) which regulate cell growth and function. However, when the pharmacy is closed or poorly run -- when even the smallest degree of a gene is absent or damaged -- the missing or inaccurate prescriptiion can wreak havoc on human beings. As we identify these genetic structures and molecular processes we will move forward to a new age of prevention in health care. Once we know how a disease mechanism works, it is a short step to preventing and curing the problem. We are close to the day when our doctors, using relatively simple means, can absolutely prevent and cure sickness, disease, and infection . . . treating the disease process itself, not merely its symptoms.
Disease Prevention: The Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases focuses the efforts of distinguished scientists to approach the new technology of molecular medicine systematically, and to use that knowledge to develop new strategies for their cure and prevention. Molecular biology is a dynamic new science, and the Institute brings researchers together from around the world to create a productive synergy among these scientists in a single institute.
Our scientists are dedicated to the mission of the IMM: to conduct disease-oriented basic research, to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases and to use the newly gained knowledge for the rational design of methods of treatment and wherever possible, of strategies for the prevention of disease. Disease prevention will be the goal of medicine in the 21st century. It will save lives, reduce human suffering and maintain productivity.