Area pioneer of medical research enthusiastic about Spokane region’s future

This time, we depart from the usual format to conduct an interview with BASR board member Dr. Harry Mielke, one of the pioneers of medical research in the Spokane area. Dr. Mielke has recently stepped down as the director of the Health Research and Education Center at WSU-Spokane. That post was established for him in the early 1990s as he moved from San Francisco to start research at the new WSU branch campus in Spokane. Dr. Mielke will, however, continue his research at the Riverpoint campus.

Patrick Jones
Special to The Spokesman-Review

Can you tell us something about your research at the University of California at San Francisco?

"My early research work concentrated on the role of the blood platelet in bleeding disorders. We found that aspirin interfered with the ability of the platelet to stop bleeding and developed a standardized technique to measure the bleeding time. If you have a tendency to bleed, say you’re a hemophiliac, then aspirin was harmful. We found that acetaminophen could be substituted and not cause bleeding. So Tylenol was born and now it’s a household word.

"But the influence of aspirin on the platelet can be beneficial when used to prevent thrombosis, especially in heart disease. The reason it works rests on the finding that aspirin only partially inhibits its normal function. So if you don’t have a bleeding disorder, aspirin in low doses is tolerated. Today a large number of people use aspirin for primary prevention of heart disease.

"I also worked on problems of bleeding during open heart surgery related to platelets. We found that the interaction with foreign surfaces impaired the number and function of platelets. This led to the development of blood separation techniques to collect large numbers of platelets in a fresh and concentrated state to treat bleeding.

"Unfortunately this work was occurring at the start of the AIDS epidemic and resulted in a shift of my research toward the development of a test to identify people, especially blood donors, with HIV infection. We were one of the first groups to isolate the virus and grow the virus in large numbers. This was necessary to obtain enough antigen to develop an antibody-based test. We did this in a rapid assay that is still used today.

"Now my research is directed toward the primary identification and prevention of coronary artery disease through the Spokane Heart Study."

You were in the Bay Area during the 1980s, a period of spectacular growth in biotechnology. How were these years perceived at UCSF?

"This was an amazing time, one of scientific explosion and confusion within the universities, since most of the technology came from university scientists. Universities and NIH weren’t ready for this, so there was a major upheaval at all levels in these organizations. The university and their scientists were traditionally separate from industry and they didn’t mix. When the scientist started leaving to join industry, there had to be and was an adjustment, because both sides could see that if they worked together there could be benefits for both."

To what degree did the scientists at UCSF take the leap into commercial ventures?

"They were major players in many of the new companies that were formed. Some left the university outright while others became consultants, and later many had joint appointments. Of course there was always the problem of who owned the technology, and each situation was usually complex. This led to more liberal policies at all levels."

Can you summarize a few attributes about those colleagues who did put their oars into the private-sector waters?

"I believe that it was a great opportunity for them to conduct their research and to develop ways to improve the human condition. For the first time, they had the resources and support to develop their ideas. At the same time, if successful, they were financially sound. Often this didn’t happen for a variety of reasons. So later on many of the scientists returned to the universities because by that time both entities were working together and they could have joint appointments."

Were you involved in any startups?

"Yes, I was involved with a number of companies at various levels — from giving laboratory support to actually running the scientific aspect of the company. As a side, most were successful and are producing products today."

You pioneered medical research at WSU-Spokane. How have things changed over the past decade at this campus?

"Yes, absolutely. When I came here in 1990, there were no dedicated research laboratories other than those found in the local universities. WSU didn’t have research laboratories. After a period of time, Deaconess helped us, followed by Sacred Heart. Community support developed and now we have a "state of the art" health science research laboratory which is basically full. We need more space."

What changes have you observed at WSU-Pullman over this period toward the life sciences?

"Each year there is more and more interest in collaboration. Researchers recognize that Spokane has a wonderful health-care infrastructure and a large number of well trained physicians, many interested in participating in research. The other institutions of higher education in the area are also a resource for collaboration and are eager to participate."

Have you seen any change in the culture of the university, such as you observed at UCSF, to encourage commercial ventures?

"Obviously, they are behind California, but they can see the benefit and are working toward better collaboration with industry and the investigator. SIRTI can be of great benefit in this development since it can provide services just recently available."

What’s missing in our regional efforts to promote the life sciences?

"We need more infrastructure and seasoned scientists that can compete and bring in federal funding. One model that has worked is the collaboration with the hospitals and the university to share salary for such an investigator. Both organizations benefit."

Do you have any predictions about the next decade for the life sciences of the Inland Northwest?

"We have a wonderful opportunity. The ingredients are here. All we need to do is work together as a community to foster the biosciences. We need to focus on the strengths of our community. A good example is cardiology, where Spokane has been a national leader for many years and has developed a critical mass. With direction, we can achieve our goals. Remember, it takes time."

Patrick Jones, Ph.D., is executive director of the Biotechnology Association of the Spokane Region.

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/news-story.asp?date=082403&ID=s1398826&cat=section.business