PHOENIX, Dec. 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Phoenix Children's Hospital announced the creation of the Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine today, with the goal to unlock genetic codes and develop drug therapies in real time to improve the outcome for thousands of young patients.

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"Our goal is to bring genomics research to the forefront of pediatrics," said Robert L. Meyer, Phoenix Children's president and CEO. "Research and development of novel treatments for pediatric diseases has fallen short over past decades." According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute,70 percent of all medications prescribed to children have been tested only in adults. Clinical studies in children lead to a better understanding of the specific differences between children and adults, thus leading to the development of safer, more effective, and age-appropriate treatments.

"We also must address a fundamental flaw in traditional and personalized medicine diagnosis and treatment of a disease based on clinical instead of genomic information," Meyer noted.

Molecular, or personalized, medicine uses genetic information to determine the right treatment for the right patient at the right time. By studying a patient's genetic makeup, researchers can identify the individual's susceptibility to disease, predict their response to a particular drug, and match the patient with a specific therapy. The team will focus on pediatric cancers in phase one, and expand to other pediatric diseases over time.

Two distinguished scientists are joining Phoenix Children's and were named the institute's co-directors:

A critical component to this venture is Phoenix Children's collaborative relationships with leading bioscience institutions. The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix brings academic and research programs, as well as academic credentials necessary to recruit and develop a research program.

The College utilized a $1.25 million gift from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust to help secure the two endowed chairs.

"The Institute is a critical piece in the development of our campus and the emerging academic medical center in Phoenix," said Stuart D. Flynn, dean of the College of Medicine Phoenix. "This program will catalyze Phoenix Children's Hospital and our region to become national contributors and leaders in molecular medicine.

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Phoenix Children's Hospital Announces Formation of Pediatric Institute of Molecular Medicine