About THE INSTITUTE

Contents

Summary of the Scientific and Business Plan
Prepared by Garth L. Nicolson, Ph.D., and Nancy L. Nicolson, Ph.D.

The Institute Mission

The mission of the Institute for Molecular Medicine is to contribute to the understanding of and the prevention and cure of catastrophic human chronic diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, fatigue illnesses, rheumatic diseases, cancer, AIDS, and infectious and genetic diseases. This will be accomplished through innovative basic and translational research programs.
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Scientific Goal of The Institute

The goal of the Institute for Molecular Medicine is to apply basic and translational molecular research approaches to better understand and eventually treat catastrophic human chronic diseases.
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Scientific Vision of The Institute

The Institute for Molecular Medicine is building scientific programs that interface with clinical programs by recruiting outstanding scientists and physicians to work in a multidisciplinary scientific environment designed for maximum innovation and productivity.
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The Institute Plan

The Plan of the Institute for Molecular Medicine is to be conducted in four phases. In Phase I, the Institute has been founded using private and institutional donations, and the initial scientists have been chosen to lead the Institute. The Institute presently occupies a building at 16371 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, California. Our mailing address is shown on the homepage. Additional space near this facility of approximately the same size is under negotiation. In Phase II, a permanent physical plant will be planned, and additional scientists and administrators hired. In Phase III, a permanent building will be constructed using the endowed funds available to the Institute and the additional scientists and other necessary staff hired. In Phase IV, endowment of programs and scientists at the Institute will be completed and future scientific plans formulated.
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Proposed Scientific Programs of The Institute

The Institute for Molecular Medicine will focus on scientific programs that are critical to our understanding of the basic biology, diagnosis and treatment of catastrophic chronic human diseases. One-half of the initial departments will be translational, that is, they will be engaged in translating basic research into the clinic and will involve the development of new assays, procedures and treatments are useful in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic diseases. The scientific programs will be built around academic research departments. The initial scientific departments at The Institute for Molecular Medicine are:

Basic Science Departments

Translational Science Departments

  • Molecular Immunology
  • Molecular Pathology

Other Departments

  • Grants and Scholarship Administration
  • Institute Administration and Legal Services

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Administrative Programs of The Institute

The Institute for Molecular Medicine is building appropriate administrative structures and programs that aid and assist in the Institute's mission. The business programs of the Institute were established by the Institute's Business Board. Such programs include centralized administrative structures rather than Departmental administrative structures to increase efficiency and reduce administrative costs. Where ever possible, computers are used to link various members of the Institute with each other and with administrative programs as well as with regional Universities. The scientific programs of the Institute will be centralized to some degree by the Institute's Scientific Advisory Board. Centralized core research facilities are being established to provide centralized equipment and more efficient services, such as those required for tissue culture media and glassware preparation, molecular biology services, animal care and other services.
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Advisory Boards of The Institute

Institute Scientific Advisory Board: The academic decisions of the Institute, such as research appointments and promotions, will be overseen by the Chief Scientific Officer and an Institute Scientific Advisory Board composed of the Chief Scientific Officer, the Deputy Scientific Officer and the Department Chairs. The Institute Scientific Advisory Board will assist the Chief Scientific Officer in making academic decisions and in determining the future scientific plans of the Institute.

External Scientific Advisory Board: An External Scientific Advisory Board is being appointed by and will report to the Board of Directors and the Officers of the Institute. It will be charged to evaluate Institute personnel and programs, provide direction and advise the Chief Scientific Officer.

Business Advisory Board: The business decisions of the Institute, such as business planning, evaluation and implementation, will be overseen by the Chairman of the Board, the President, and other Officers using an Institute Business Advisory Board composed of the Chairman of the Board, President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-Treasurer, Chief Scientific Officer and other Officers of the Institute as deemed necessary, along with members of the Board of Directors and other members chosen at large.

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee: The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is an official review panel of internal and external experts and advisors that review all laboratory and clinical protocols or patient materials related to laboratory and clinical research using animals. The members of the IACUC at the Institute for Molecular Medicine are appointed by the President for one year terms. Their task is to serve as the official review panel for approving laboratory and clinical studies involving animals. They review each laboratory and clinical study to make sure that animal safety and care guidelines are followed.

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Educational Programs of The Institute

The Institute for Molecular Medicine is currently involved in laboratory training of post-graduate researchers and physicians and has U. S. Department of State approval for its international program. Applicants to these programs can contact a faculty sponsor to obtain further information on availability of positions and various research areas in the program.


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