About CREiGS

The sensitivity and availability of omic technologies have enabled the genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic characterization of disease phenotypes, at the tissue and even the single cell level. This has allowed identification of disease subtypes that respond well to specific treatment and thus opened up opportunities for development of precision/personalized medicine strategies for optimizing treatments for individual patients. Analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and interpretation of its role in disease phenotypes and treatment outcomes have been widely studied. To date, analysis of SNP data is still crucial for understanding the phenotypes and outcomes. However, it is now becoming clear that the future of precision medicine will rely on the integration of genomic and transcriptomic data with clinical data, as well as the application of advanced statistical methods and machine learning, to unravel the complex interactions between genetics, gene-expression and disease-phenotypes.

Thus, new genomic science educational initiatives need to be continually updated to educate the clinical and translational workforce on how to effectively interpret and apply the findings from genomics studies. Patients of providers who have participated in these educational initiatives also benefit as it allows for more rapid integration of genomic study findings into the clinical care setting. In order to hasten the incorporation of genomic findings into medical practice many institutions developed genomic medicine programs, some of which are well documented thanks to efforts by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). These earlier courses primarily targeted the participants already in genetics and genomics research.

With the CREiGS Short Course, we offer an innovative, hybrid educational program for medical/doctoral students, residents, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty engaged in clinical and translational research with limited background in the analysis of genetics/genomics data. Ultimately, those participating in CREiGS will have the opportunity to increase their scientific knowledge, methodologic rigor, and research capacity in clinical genome science.