-
BME 533 (Seminar in Biomedical Engineering)
Mon, Jan 23, 2012 @ 12:30 PM - 01:50 PM
Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker: Oscar J. Abilez, M.D., Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University
Talk Title: Biochemical, Electrical, and Optogenetic Control of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease affects more than 70 million Americans and is the number one cause of mortality in the United States. Because the regenerative capacity of cardiac tissue is limited, human pluripotent stem cells (hPSC) have emerged as a potential source for cellular-based therapies. However, for these therapies to be effective, sufficient amounts of differentiated cells must be produced, these cells must be identified and sorted, and, upon implantation, arrhythmias must be avoided. In this seminar, I describe the biochemical control of hPSC for their directed differentiation into cardiomyocytes, electrical control for electrophysiology-based cell sorting, and optogenetic control for temporal synchronization.
Biography: Guided by quantitative approaches, Dr. Abilez's long-term research goal is to ascertain the mechanisms by which various biophysical stimuli direct the development of cells and tissues from human pluripotent stem cells, and to use these findings to address challenges in the basic, translational, and clinical sciences.
Host: Department of Biomedical Engineering
Location: Olin Hall of Engineering (OHE) - 122
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Mischalgrace Diasanta
