Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is pathology?
A: Pathology is the branch of medicine involving the search for the
cause of diseases (pathogens). In general, patients do not interact directly
with pathologists. Pathologists usually serve as consultants to other
doctors. For example, pathologists would tell a surgeon whether the tumor
removed during surgery was cancerous or not.
Q: What is translational medicine?
A: Translational medicine translates conceptual, scientific
research findings into real-world clinical practice to help patients.
Q: What is the Michigan Center for Translational Pathology?
The MCTP uses a multidisciplinary team approach to translate research
into real-world practice. For example, MCTP’s research has found
a certain “biomarker” indicating prostate cancer; now, MCTP
is developing a non-invasive test that can detect prostate cancer
in patients.
Q: How is MCTP different than other research centers?
A: MCTP takes a systematic, multidisciplinary approach. We use genomics,
proteomics, cancer biology, bioinformatics and other disciplines side
by side to guide our research.
MCTP is associated with:
- the U-M Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the few National Institutes of Health-designated “Comprehensive Cancer Centers”
- the U-M School of Medicine, one of the world’s most respected medical schools
- the University of Michigan Health System, a large, prominent health system with thousands of clinicians
Q: Why now?
A: The widely-publicized Human Genome Project, which was completed
several years ago, provided us with
a good map of the human genome. However, that was just the first step.
With the emergence of the post-genomic era, medicine is at the brink
of understanding human disease. Equipped with the comprehensive analysis
of the human genome, scientists can now systematically examine the blueprint
of disease at the molecular level. This essential knowledge may lead
to better diagnostic tests and promising new treatments for cancer, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes and other illnesses.
