Scientific MOOCs follower. Author of Airpocalypse, a techno-medical thriller (Out Summer 2017)


Welcome to the digital era of biology (and to this modest blog I started in early 2005).

To cure many diseases, like cancer or cystic fibrosis, we will need to target genes (mutations, for ex.), not organs! I am convinced that the future of replacement medicine (organ transplant) is genomics (the science of the human genome). In 10 years we will be replacing (modifying) genes; not organs!


Anticipating the $100 genome era and the P4™ medicine revolution. P4 Medicine (Predictive, Personalized, Preventive, & Participatory): Catalyzing a Revolution from Reactive to Proactive Medicine.


I am an early adopter of scientific MOOCs. I've earned myself four MIT digital diplomas: 7.00x, 7.28x1, 7.28.x2 and 7QBWx. Instructor of 7.00x: Eric Lander PhD.

Upcoming books: Airpocalypse, a medical thriller (action taking place in Beijing) 2017; Jesus CRISPR Superstar, a sci-fi -- French title: La Passion du CRISPR (2018).

I love Genomics. Would you rather donate your data, or... your vital organs? Imagine all the people sharing their data...

Audio files on this blog are Windows files ; if you have a Mac, you might want to use VLC (http://www.videolan.org) to read them.

Concernant les fichiers son ou audio (audio files) sur ce blog : ce sont des fichiers Windows ; pour les lire sur Mac, il faut les ouvrir avec VLC (http://www.videolan.org).


The Pharma-Hollywood Congruence

http://bigbangtheory.wikia.com/wiki/The_Locomotion_Interruption
Bernadette: "OK. One more time. We throw chemotherapies blindly at cancer patients, which means we do not care about their genomic profile. The reason for this: whole genome sequencing is not yet a blockbuster."

Penny: "Why would we throw pills at the problem if it doesn't work?"

Bernadette: "Think of them as blockbusters, not as pills. In 'Big Pharma', B stands for Blockbuster: the one and only drug that will cover management's salaries and a whole variety of expenses like gourmet buffet dinners, posh golf clubs, nice congress venues worldwide, entertainment for the physicians. Last but not least, your salary and mine."

Penny: "Yeah, but those blockbusters you are talking about... Can they cure people?"

Bernadette: "Sometimes they can do that. The only thing that is 100% of the time true is that they are so damn expensive."

Penny: "Do people get a refund if the treatment doesn't work for them?"

Bernadette: "Now I need you to think very carefully. Criticizing a blockbuster can get you in real trouble. What would you like better? A well-paid job or death threats?"

Penny: "Got it. Big Pharma is just another Hollywood, with drugs instead of movies. This new job means I will pursue a new career in acting. Blockbuster? I'm all for it."

Bernadette: "Excellent. You are making the right choice."

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