About the Event

From the Ivory Tower to Main Street Medicine:
Discovery through Strategy and Application

Downtown Richmond, Virginia

There is a consensus among many in the medical field that genomics alone has failed to deliver on the promise of a "new revolution in medicine," and that thus far it has had only a minor impact. Understanding that the field is best served by avoiding a repeat of the same disappointing influence; several internationally recognized researchers have collaboratively designed an interactive forum to discuss a "Systems Biology" approach.

The Jefferson Hotel

The "Systems Biology" approach represents the future of biomedical research and relevant diagnostic tools and treatments. It heralds the interface between physiology, biochemistry/biophysics, engineering, computer sciences, clinical chemistry, informatics and clinical practice leading us to new realms of medical discovery and practical clinical applications.

VCU Life Sciences

In association with the Virginia Biotechnology Research Park, the Virginia Biosciences Development Center will host the first annual Summit on Systems Biology. The intent of the Summit is to provide a highly interactive, interdisciplinary conference that contains strategic and visionary presentations aimed at attendees who are leaders in their fields. The goal is to influence research and develop plans of the future, which will allow investigators, department chairs, and others in Universities and Industry to forge the new relationships needed to capitalize on this rapidly advancing science.

Program participants will include policy persons from the FDA and NHLBI, members of congress with health care responsibility, and the industry's executive leaders. Key panel discussions will include topics such as "Implications of the growing restrictions on NIH funding."

Attendees should be those who can change the course of research and funding. The conference will target academic chiefs, government and NIH leadership as a priority.

The Summit on Systems Biology Co-Chairs

  • Robert L. Jesse MD, Ph.D.
    Professor of Medicine and Cardiology
    Director, Acute Cardiac Care Program
    Virginia Commonwealth University Health System
    National Program Director for Cardiology
    Veterans Health Administration


  • Richard L. Summers MD, Ph.D.
    Professor of Emergency Medicine
    Assistant Professor of Physiology and Biophysics
    Director of the Center for Integrative Medicine
    Director of Emergency Medicine Research
    University of Mississippi Medical Center


  • Donna J. Edmonds, Conference Coordinator
    Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President
    Vital Sensors, Inc.
    Board of Directors Member
    Richmond Biotechnology Research Park and
    Virginia Biosciences Development Center


  • Gregory A. Buck, Ph.D..
    Director, the Center for the Study of Biological Complexity
    Professor, Microbiology and Immunology
    Director, Nucleic Acids Research Facilities
    Virginia Commonwealth University


Steering Committee

  • Jennifer Van Eyck, Ph.D.
    Director, Center Investigator
    The Johns Hopkins NHLBI Proteomics Center
    Associate Professor Medicine
    Division of Cardiology Biological Chemistry and Biomedical Engineering
    Johns Hopkins University


  • Robert Christenson, Ph.D.
    Professor of Pathology
    Medical and Research Tech and Director
    Rapid Response Labs
    University of Maryland School of Medicine
    Chair, NACB Guidelines committee.


  • Rakesh Kukreja, Ph.D.
    Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
    Biochemistry and Physiology
    Virginia Commonwealth University


  • Robert Mattauch, Ph.D.
    Dean, School of Engineering
    Virginia Commonwealth University


  • Michael Peters, Ph.D.
    Professor and Chairman
    Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering
    Senior Fellow
    Center for the study of Biological Complexity
    Virginia Commonwealth University