Institute of Personalized Medicine (IPM)
Pharmacogenomics aims at understanding how variations in the human genome affect the response to medications.
Our researchers are working to generate new knowledge, and to develop tools and algorithms that can help in personalizing medicine utilizing a patient’s genetic profile and other factors to achieve maximum therapeutic benefit with minimum toxicity.
Institute of Personalized Medicine (IPM) Precision Medicine Initiatives
PGx ECHO
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy is proud to host the nation's first Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) program focused on pharmacogenomics-informed clinical care. PGx ECHO is a collaborative effort of the Hub Site at the University of Minnesota and six Spoke Sites: Children's Minnesota, Ferris State University, M Health Fairview, Manchester University, North Dakota State University, Sanford Health, and South Dakota State University. PGx ECHO aims to address the lack of PGx education and support for implementation across rural and underserved areas in the Midwest; a further goal is to assist other regions of the U.S. in creating their own PGx ECHOs. Read more...
UMN/ASHP PGx Accelorator Program
The Pharmacogenomics Accelerator program will support clinical leaders, frontline practitioners, and additional team members that are assuming responsibility for pharmacogenomic program implementation in their institutions, as well as those seeking to enhance their baseline clinical skills in pharmacogenomics. Read more about UMN's collaboration with ASHP.
Free PGx Testing for Incoming Students
Through a partnership between the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy and Kailos Genetics, a HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology resident company, College of Pharmacy first-year students will have the unique opportunity to obtain free comprehensive pharmacogenomic testing by Kailos Genetics’ InspexionTM. They will more deeply learn about pharmacogenomics by exploring their own genes coupled with extensive coursework in the pharmacy curriculum. They will also be able to apply for internships with Kailos Genetics focused on the utility of pharmacogenetics in the healthcare industry. Read more...
PGx at the Minnesota State Fair
University of Minnesota (UMN) College of Pharmacy (Twin Cities) and UMN Medical School (Duluth) faculty, students, and staff teamed up at the 2021 Minnesota State Fair to ask Minnesotans about their beliefs and perceptions regarding the innovative science of pharmacogenomics (PGx) with the "How Do Your Genes Fit?" survey. The University’s Driven to Discover (D2D) Research Facility, located on the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, enabled researchers to better connect with the Minnesota community. Because little research to date has been done on the opinions of Minnesotans regarding PGx testing and research, the “How Do Your Genes Fit?” team ultimately aimed to identify individual tolerance and acceptability for data sharing to support a statewide PGx platform in Minnesota. The survey included questions regarding demographics, health literacy, perceptions / beliefs / knowledge of PGx and privacy, and medication use. UMN undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty worked together to answer questions, enroll participants, and administer the survey. The research team spent five shifts at the 2021 Great Minnesota Get-Together and enrolled 815 participants. The D2D team is hoping to attend the fair in the future and gauge evolving attitudes about PGx as it becomes more prevalent in Minnesota.
PGx Certificate for Health Professionals in Rural and Underserved Areas
Launching in January 2022! Watch this space for more information.
Cindy Luo
Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Solid Organ Transplant), Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, BC
Sabbatical focus: application, integration and implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) to clinical pharmacy practice
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy mourns the loss of Don Uden, PharmD, professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Care & Health Systems, who died on Saturday, March 21.
The University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy has ranked third in this year’s U.S.News and World Report’s ranking of pharmacy schools.
Pamala Jacobson received the Sara Evans Faculty Woman Scholar/ Leader Award from the University of Minnesota Women’s Center, Office for Equity and Diversity and was honored at their Celebrating Changemakers Awards event on October 11, 2018.
Weekly Genomics Scan
This weekly update features emerging roles of human genomics, testing and interventions in a wide variety of noncommunicable diseases across the life span.
PGx Conference 2020
Implementation of Pharmacogenomics Into Clinical Care
The 2020 University of Minnesota Pharmacogenomics conference, previously scheduled for June, was held virtually, Sept. 10-11, 2020.
Using live lectures from experts (with Q&A sessions), moderated small-group breakout discussions, a virtual exhibit hall, and a virtual poster session, Implementation of Pharmacogenomics into Clinical Care provided participants with both general knowledge and best practices to support clinical PGx.