Trends in 21st Century Epidemiology: From Scientific Discoveries to Population Health Impact

Session 2 Panel and Audience Discussion

Slide 1 of 12: Session 2 Panel Discussion

Slide 2 of 12

Stephen Chanock, M.D.
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genomics, National Cancer Institute

Slide 3 of 12

[Image] showing painting by an 8 year old being compared to how the state of epidemiology normally analyzes datasets from a particular corner, and fails to realize the bigger picture.

Slide 4 of 12

[Image] behind text shows Claude Monet's use of the same paint from slide 2; current slide's painting is more meaningful when compared to that shown in the previous slide and emphasizes how epidemiologists need to continuously re-visit datasets because they might become more focused and meaningful.

The work of art depicted in this image and the reproduction thereof are in the public domainExternal Web Site Policy worldwide. The reproduction is part of a collection of reproductions compiled by The Yorck ProjectExternal Web Site Policy. The compilation copyright is held by Zenodot Verlagsgesellschaft mbHExternal Web Site Policy and licensed under the GNU Free Documentation LicenseExternal Web Site Policy.

Slide 5 of 12

Zdenko Herceg, Ph.D.
International Agency for Research on Cancer

Slide 6 of 12

  1. Technologies that are ready for "prime time" in epi. research?
    • Mechanism-based exposure (second generation) biomarkers: "omics" and pathway-specific approaches
    • Advances in epigenomics and complete understanding of "normal" epigenome landscapes and dynamic variability in tissues (early life, aging)
    • "Exposome" concept and approaches to capture the totality of environmental exposures. Refinements in personal and environmental monitors, geographic information systems, and more sophisticated questionnaires provide complementary approaches
    • New bioinformatic tools and genomic databases (ability to integrate mol, data across different platforms and provide comprehensive portraits of cancer sub-types to reveal aetiology and prevention opportunities
  2. Criteria for integrating emerging technologies into epi. research?
    • Sensitive and quantitative measurement (single cell omics?)
    • Compatibility with high throughput and genome wide settings (NGS?)
    • Applicability to biobanks associated with large prospective studies and population-based cohorts
    • Cost effectiveness

Slide 7 of 12

Thomas A. Sellers, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Moffitt Cancer Center

Slide 8 of 12: MyMoffitt Patient Portal

Patient incentives to use:

Enables research through:

Launched in 2009, 29,000 accounts created and monthly logins are 12,000 and rising. 84% of new patients create an account.

Slide 9 of 12

Michael Snyder, Ph.D.
Stanford University

Slide 10 of 12: Snyder: Integrative Personal "Omics" Profiling (iPOP)

[Image] showing an individual in a study profiled for genome, epigenome, transcriptome (mRNA, miRNA, isoforms), proteome, cytokines, autoantibody-ome, metabolome, and microbiome. This profiling is done at a fixed sampling frequency when the individual is sick and healthy. Integrative analysis is done on profiled data, and this provides a clearer picture and understanding of disease. Emphasis of the image is the need for multiple -omics profiling in epidemiologic studies.

Slide 11 of 12

Georgia D. Tourassi, Ph.D.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Slide 12 of 12: Information Technologies Can Help Epidemiological Research Bridge the Gap between Data and Action

Georgia Tourassi, Ph.D. - Oak Ridge National Laboratory