Personalizing Human Memory Capacity: What is feasible, what is desirable
Thursday, 15. September 2011 | 8:30 Uhr
Speaker
Organisation
Reporting
Professor Andreas Papassotiropoulos, University of Basel, explained that the genetic structure of the human memory is highly complex. Thanks to genetic research, investigation into the human memory has made large progress. The use of human genetic information will lead to improved characterization of complex human traits. It is crucial that the combination of genetics with other relevant sources of information will increase knowledge. The family history, for example, is an essential factor that might not be disregarded. Therefore, results must not be misinterpreted. Papassotiropoulos showed in a few examples, that there are studies that draw wrong conclusions from the data. According to the scientist, personalized medicine is suitable for prediction and diagnosis and to relate the influence of hereditary disposition with the effectiveness of medication. However, for him it is of utmost importance to better understand biology and new ways of treatments.
Andreas Papassotiropoulos
1995-1996 Research Fellow at the Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Bonn,
Germany
1996-2000 Resident at the Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany
1999-2000 Resident at the Department of Neurology, University of Bonn, Germany
2000-07 Research Group Leader Clinical Genetics, Division of Psychiatry Research,
University of Zürich, Switzerland
2000-04 Deputy Clinical Director, Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich,
Switzerland
2003 Visiting Scientist, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Aging,
June/July Bethesda/MD
2003-07 Research Professor (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation),
Division of Psychiatry Research, University of Zürich, Switzerland
2004 Scientific Advisor and Faculty Member, Translational Genomics Research
Institute (TGen), Phoenix, AZ
2007-10 Full Professor and Director, Division of Molecular Psychology; Head of the
Life Sciences Training Facility, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Switzerland
2008- Chairman, Neuroscience Network Basel
2010- Full Professor and Director, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, University of
Basel, Switzerland
2011- Research Dean, Faculty of Psychology, University of Basel, Switzerland
Other experience and professional memberships
Since 2001 Board Certification for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, German Board of
Physicians
Since 1996 Society for Neuroscience
Since 2001 Swiss Society for Neuroscience
Since 2001 International Society of Psychiatric Genetics
Since 2006 Swiss Society for Biological Psychiatry
Since 2007 Neuroscience Upper Rhine Network (Neurex)
Since 2008 Neuroscience Network Basel (NNB)
Since 2009 American Society for Human Genetics (ASHG)
