On July 21st, 2017, H.E. the United States Ambassador to Greece Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt visited the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, University of Patras (UPAT), as part of his visit to academic entities in Patras that produce and offer innovative results and services in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors.
During his short stay, Mr. Pyatt met with the faculty members, researchers and students of the Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology that participates in the U-PGx project and was guided through the premises of the laboratory and the state-of-the-art infrastructure.
Dr. Evangelia-Eirini Tsermpini explained to Mr. Pyatt the principles of the U-PGx project and the PREPARE study, while Prof. Patrinos emphasized the concept of pre-emptive pharmacogenomics testing and the usefulness of the pharmacogenetics card. Mr. Pyatt, being well aware of the related studies in the United States and the Precision Medicine Initiative, expressed his strong interest to the U-PGx project and the PREPARE study and asked details about the aims of the project, the envisaged goals and outcomes and asked questions regarding the pharmacogenetics card. Prof. Patrinos answered to all questions and gave a mock pharmacogenetics card to Mr Pyatt. Also, Ms Balasopoulou and Papadaki explained to Mr Pyatt the concept of the web-based pharmacogenomics translational tool ePGA, developed by the UPAT team.
Mr. Pyatt commended the efforts of UPAT and the U-PGx Consortium as a whole indicating that this field will see significant growth in the coming years.
Prof. Patrinos met with H.E. the US Ambassador to Greece Mr. Geoffrey Pyatt and his advisor during their short visit to Patras on July 21st,, 2017.
Mr Geoffrey Pyatt with Ms Angeliki Balasopoulou and Ms Stella Papadaki, mambers of the UPAT team that participate in the PREPARE study.
Dr. Evira Tsermpini demonstrating to Mr Pyatt the SNPline genotyping platform.
Mr Pyatt holding a mock pharmacogenetics card, similar to those offered to registered participants of the PREPARE study.