The University Hospital of Basel is launching a CAS in personalized molecular oncology with the SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics and the University Hospital of Lausanne. First of its kind in Switzerland, this training takes place at a key point in time and matches the growing interest for personalized medicine at the national level, as exemplified by initiatives like the Swiss Personalized Health Network led by the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences.
Filling a crucial gap in the clinical practice revolution
Cutting-edge technologies, like next-generation-sequencing (NGS), combined with the development of targeted therapies are now revolutionizing clinical practice, bringing new complexity to the field of oncology. These high-throughput technologies produce ever-larger amounts of data, thus providing an unprecedented level of molecular information, but also raising new challenges for clinicians and clinical laboratory professionals.
In oncology and hemato-oncology, genomic profiles are now increasingly being used to prescribe the right drug for the right patient. The process required to generate, analyze and interpret genomic data is however complex and calls upon a plurality of skills.
There is therefore a need for continuing education in this rapidly evolving field, to ensure that professionals with various backgrounds can communicate and collaborate efficiently to optimize the personalized oncology process, for the benefit of patient care.
About the CAS in personalized molecular oncology
Coordinated by SIB Clinical Bioinformatics, the CAS aims at providing a comprehensive and integrative view of the field, by covering:
- tumour biology and genetics;
- molecular pathology;
- clinical bioinformatics;
- clinical oncology.
The course will focus on the methodologies used to generate, analyze and interpret patients’ molecular profiles. Ultimately benefiting the patients, the CAS will address both the potential and limitations of these cutting-edge technologies for personalized oncology, also touching upon the associated technical, regulatory and ethical challenges.
As an important outcome, it will contribute to establish a common language between the wide range of professionals involved in the personalized oncology process, from biologists and bioinformaticians to pathologists and clinicians. It will thus enable an efficient and better-informed use of genomic data for both routine clinical practice and clinical research.
Overall, it should therefore empower professionals to develop a vision in their own institution, by critically evaluating the potential benefits and limitations of current and future developments in personalized oncology.
Practical information
- Who is it for? The CAS targets a multidisciplinary audience of professionals involved in personalized molecular oncology and hemato-oncology, including laboratory managers, biologists, bioinformaticians, pathologists, geneticists, clinicians and pharmaceutical company employees
- Applications: starting early 2018
- Start: autumn of 2018
- CAS delivered by: University of Basel
- Partners:
- University Hospital of Basel, Institute for Medical Genetics and Pathology & Medical Oncology
- University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV), Cancer Genetic Unit
- SIB Clinical Bioinformatics & SIB Training
- Contact: Dr Aitana Lebrand, SIB Clinical Bioinformatics
- Website: pmo.unibas.ch
- Download flyer
- Download brochure
