Science on Tap: Disease in a Dish
"Disease in a Dish"
by Dr. John W. Steele, HSU Department of Biological Sciences
Description:
Recent discoveries in stem cell biology have fundamentally changed the way scientists model and understand human disease. For the first time in history, scientists are able to study human neurological disease in actual human neurons that were made from skin cells of a patient with the disease. Studies using this “disease in a dish” approach have overturned long-held hypotheses about disease, illuminated fundamental cellular processes that differ between cell types of the body, and, most importantly, have led to the discovery of innovative and effective therapies for human diseases. What are induced pluripotent stem cells? How are we using these cells to study and solve human disease, or diseases of other organisms? Are we ready for a world in which we can re-grow or modify tissues, or optimize therapies on patient cells before treating the patient in the clinic? What are some barriers to successful development of new therapies for complex diseases? Are the possibilities endless? Dr. Steele is a cellular and molecular neurobiologist with expertise in stem cell biology, genome engineering, and drug discovery. His talk will focus on what these cells are, how his lab applies them to the study of rare neurological diseases, and some of the applications of these cells in other biomedical contexts. He will host a conversation about the potential benefits and risks of a world in which personalized medicine, regenerative therapies, and “disease in a dish” studies are on the horizon.
Free and all ages welcome!
Delicious food and drink available for purchase!
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