Bipolar Disorder Daily News Blog

New Psychiatric Genomics Center Established

The Stanley Center for Psychiatric Genomics is a new research center opened by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with a $25 million endowment from the Stanley Medical Research Institute. The new center will focus its research on understanding the genetics of disorders, such as Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia.

The center will begin by comparing large numbers of people's genome sequences in hopes that they will be able to identify those genetic factors responsible in creating these mental illnesses. This type of focus couldn't have come at a better time; genetic components of Bipolar disorder seem to be on the brink with many promising research results coming from geneticists all over the world. Hopefully a center like this can allow these researchers to come together and improve the lives of those suffering and even prevent others from the same fate.

The goal of the Center is to unambiguously diagnose patients with psychiatric disorders based on their DNA sequence in 10 years time.

The new Center at CSHL will allow world-renowned geneticists and molecular biologists to apply the most powerful technology and to access appropriately selected DNA samples. "We are confident that our investment in CSHL's mission oriented research will yield results that will improve the lives of so many who are impacted by these psychiatric disorders," said Theodore R. Stanley.

"At this exciting time for biomedical science, I am most passionate about the potential of breakthroughs in neuroscience research," said CSHL Chancellor James D. Watson, Ph.D. "At CSHL we are already making significant strides in understanding autism, schizophrenia and bipolar disorders. We share the Stanley's commitment to use DNA to properly diagnose psychiatric disorders so that patients can be treated safely and effectively."

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Psychiatric Genomics Center Established at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory with $25 million gift from the Stanley Medical Research Institute From: www.CSHL.edu