Self Regional Healthcare, Clemson, Genetic Center create national genetics research hub

GREENWOOD A new partnership will establish formal collaboration among genetic researchers and Clemson University faculty at the Greenwood Genetic Center and Self Regional Healthcare, expanding an already successful working relationship.

Self Regional Healthcare will support the Clemson University Center for Human Genetics with a gift of $5.6 million over three years. The gift consists of an initial contribution of $2 million for the centers facilities and a subsequent contribution of $3.6 million to support research in genetics and human diagnostics at the facility located on the Greenwood Genetic Center campus.

Todays announcement will create a new pipeline for genetic research, said John Pillman, chairman of the Self Regional board of trustees, on Friday. The collaboration of these three partners will ultimately connect genetic therapeutics research to patients.

Jim Pfeiffer, president and chief executive officer of Self Regional, said the partnership will accelerate the rate of innovation in genetic medicine. This is what I like to call a win-win-win scenario, said Pfeiffer.

Steve Skinner, director of the Greenwood Genetic Center, said such collaborations are crucial to turning research advances into clinically available therapies for patients, not only in Greenwood and across South Carolina, but globally.

This collaboration is a major step forward for patients as we combine the resources and strengths of each institution: Selfs commitment to patient care, Clemsons expertise in basic scientific research and our experience with genetic disorders and treatment, Skinner said.

Self Regional and the Genetic Center have had an affiliation agreement since 1975 with the Genetic Centers clinical faculty serving as the Department of Medical Genetics for Self Regional.

Clemson University President James P. Clements said the announcement brings us a step closer to moving basic discoveries in human genetics from a research environment to a clinical setting where they can be used to diagnose and treat genetic-related human disorders.

Clemson is proud to be part of this important collaborative effort, and were grateful to Self Regional Healthcare for its support of our research efforts at the Greenwood Genetic Center, Clements said.

Clemsons Steve Kresovich, the Robert and Lois Coker Trustees Chair of Genetics, is responsible for overseeing research programs and managing collaborative activities between Clemson faculty and personnel at the partner institutions.

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Self Regional Healthcare, Clemson, Genetic Center create national genetics research hub