The Future of Genomic Medicine at Columbia

Dear Colleagues,

Last month, we had the honor of hosting Dr. Eric Green, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, to share his vision for genomics and precision medicine. His lecture underscored the tremendous potential for a “fourth chapter” of genomics that harnesses major advances in our understanding of human genetic variation and function over the last several decades. The opportunity to transform clinical care by leveraging these scientific advances stands before us. I am writing to you today to describe our plans for ensuring that Columbia seizes this opportunity and continues as a leader in shaping the future of genomic medicine.

First though, permit me to briefly review the accomplishments of the past decade that position us to lead this “fourth chapter” and deliver on genomics’ promise for improving human health. In 2014, a university-wide task force commissioned by President Bollinger created the Columbia Precision Medicine Initiative (CPMI), a multidisciplinary effort focused on accelerating our capacity to deliver precision medicine to patients. Led by Dr. Tom Maniatis and supported by the exceptional generosity of Roy and Diana Vagelos, the CPMI has elevated basic and translational research in genomics across the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and the entire University, established new educational degrees and courses, and advanced the implementation of genomic medicine in key clinical areas. On a parallel track, the Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM)—under founding director Dr. David Goldstein and now interim director Dr. Ali Gharavi—has also been driving genomic medicine forward in our clinical, research, and teaching environments. Taken together and alongside the work of so many others throughout our community, these initiatives have made exceptional progress. In particular, Dr. Maniatis, a renowned pioneer in molecular and cell biology whose research ushered in the era of molecular medicine, has generously contributed to fostering a vibrant community of genetic and genomic researchers at Columbia.  

To build on this foundation, several months ago I asked a task force of faculty from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons to develop priorities and plans for advancing the equitable implementation of genomic medicine at Columbia. Many thanks to the task force members Amanda Bergner, Wendy Chung, Ali Gharavi, Matt Harms, Eldad Hod, Josh Milner, Muredach Reilly, and Ron Wapner for their invaluable insights and to Jenn Williamson, our associate vice dean of research, for serving as the task force co-chair. The findings and recommendations of the task force focused on building on the impact of precision medicine at Columbia, creating a genomic medicine steering committee led by a chief clinical genomics officer, and integrating genomics into education throughout the health professions. Strengthening these initiatives will improve access to genomic sequencing, align and expand our educational programs, advance genomic data storage and analysis capabilities, and spur strategic investments in cutting-edge science.  

I am delighted to share that we will now be moving forward on this ambitious vision with the full support of President Bollinger and the respective leadership teams of the Columbia Precision Medicine Initiative and the Institute for Genomic Medicine. As I mentioned at Dr. Green’s lecture, at the request of Dr. Maniatis we have begun the process of identifying the next director of the CPMI. I look forward to sharing the results of that process with you soon.

At the same time, the following operations of the Institute for Genomic Medicine will be repositioned to better support precision medicine across the medical center. A new research unit focused on epilepsy and sleep science, the Center for Translational Research in Neurodevelopmental Disease, is being created in the Department of Neurology and will be led by Dr. Wayne Frankel. The Precision Genomics Laboratory and the Laboratory of Personalized Genomic Medicine will be combined in the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology to centralize clinical genomic testing. The All of Us research program led by Dr. Gharavi will be transitioned to the Department of Medicine.

Our determination to better rationalize and coordinate the many assets we possess for the advancement of genomic medicine has also led us to make these additional changes: The research sequencing core will be integrated with the sequencing core in the Department of Systems Biology and will be led by Dr. Peter Sims. The mouse neurobehavior core with its specialized services, equipment and space will be relocated within our Institute of Comparative Medicine. And a newly established Genomic and Bioinformatics Analysis Resource led by Dr. Gharavi will provide state-of-the-art bioinformatics, genomic analysis, data storage and genetic counseling services for the medical center community. A separate announcement about this unit’s launch is forthcoming. Each of these initiatives will be overseen by the VP&S Office for Research, similar to other VP&S institutional research cores.

Once we have identified the new director of the CPMI, we will begin implementing the rest of the recommendations of the task force, including the recruitment of a chief clinical genomics officer. Finally, I want to express my appreciation for the support provided by NewYork-Presbyterian. NYP’s partnership and deep commitment to leading in genomic medicine is essential to the success of all that we seek to achieve through these comprehensive plans.

April will mark 20 years since the completion of the Human Genome Project. The approach of that milestone coincides with a pivotal moment in the further evolution of genomic medicine. I am looking forward to working with you to maximize Columbia’s impact during this period and in the years ahead. I cannot imagine a more exciting place to be for exploring and achieving a new vision for the future of medicine.

All my best,

Katrina Armstrong, MD
Dean of the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
Executive Vice President for Health and Biomedical Sciences, Columbia University