Jump to content

  • Set Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
Set Your LocationSet Your Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Giving
  • Precision Medicine
Content

Biobank and Precision Medicine

Biobanks that store biological samples, such as blood and tissue, for future research are becoming increasingly important in understanding the genetic and molecular contributions to disease, health outcomes and treatment.

DNA in a test tube

Started by the Palo Alto Medical Foundation Research Institute (PAMFRI), and already gaining support of generous donors throughout our community, we will now expand the charter of our program to link together blood sample data (DNA, RNA, lipids and proteins) and electronic health record data (such as blood pressure and weight) from consenting patients throughout the region, which will enable researchers to better understand how people develop diseases over time.

This Biobank will allow scientists to study diverse populations across more than 100 communities in Northern California, including people from various genetic and cultural backgrounds. Research findings from the Sutter Health Biobank will not only benefit our patients, but patients all over the world leading through the possibility to develop more personalized treatments and improved healthcare.

Precision Medicine

Made possible by the Sutter Biobank, the Precision Medicine initiative drives revolutionary changes in individualized treatment and care for patients. Our highly diverse patient base, billion dollar investment in electronic health records, existing research and infrastructure capabilities and a centralized biobank laboratory facility will allow our health system to conduct research faster and at a lower cost. Precision Medicine provides clinicians with tools, knowledge and therapies to select which treatments work best for each patient based on their genetics, environment, preferences and needs.

Health Precision Medicine Institute

The Precision Medicine Institute brings together researchers in Genomics and Epidemiology with experts in Health Services Research to discover diagnostics and treatments that can address unmet patient care needs and rapidly translate these discoveries into clinical protocols throughout the Bay Area Region and beyond. This expert team of researchers will use the newly created Biobank, a repository of biological specimens from more than 100,000 patients. They have identified six initial areas of research to address significant gaps in treating common chronic conditions:

  • Cancer — Targeted therapies for cancers with low 5-year survival rates (e.g. glioblastoma, melanomas, and lung cancer)
  • Heart Failure — Diagnostic tools for detecting heart failure before damage, disability, and decline in function can occur
  • Chronic Migraine — More effective treatments for one of the most prevalent chronic pain problems and a common cause of disability
  • Multiple Sclerosis — New therapies for patients in a chronic progressive stage, for which there are now no effective treatments 
  • Parkinson's Disease — More effective multi-medication therapies for later stage patients
  • Healthy Aging — Pioneering studies to identify numerous genetic, clinical, and behavioral factors related to disease-free survival

Give to Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Invest in precision medicine.

Give Now

Giving Opportunities

  • COVID-19 Relief Fund
  • Featured Opportunities
  • Excellence in Cancer Care
  • Cardiovascular Excellence
  • Health Equity
  • Research and Innovation
  • Women's Health

Contact Us

Two women laughing outside

Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Department of Philanthropy
795 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 853-4808
Tax ID: 94-1156581

  • Contact Us
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Request Medical Records
  • Make a Gift
Sign in to My Health Online

Billing and Insurance

  • Pay a Bill
  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Estimate Costs
  • Medicare Advantage

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Community Benefit
  • Annual Report
  • News

Our Team

  • For Employees
  • For Medical Professionals
  • For Vendors
  • For Volunteers

Careers

  • Jobs at Sutter
  • Physician Jobs
  • Graduate Medical Education

Copyright © 2023 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

  • ADA Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • LinkedIn Opens new window
  • YouTube Opens new window
  • Facebook Opens new window
  • Twitter Opens new window
  • Instagram Opens new window
  • Glassdoor Opens new window

Cookie Policy

We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences