Chris Kachi from the University of Ottawa interviews Dr. May Griffith and Andrés Mercado as part of the TMM4950 Science Communication course, exploring cutting-edge advances in bioengineered corneal regeneration. Dr. Griffith is a senior scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a professor in the Faculty of Medicine whose work focuses on regenerative biomaterials and translational ophthalmology. Andrés Mercado is a PhD student in Dr. Emilio Alarcón’s laboratory at the University of Ottawa Heart Institute, developing tunable photo-sealants and customized biomaterials for ocular and soft-tissue repair.In this episode, they discuss the development of the Cornea-in-a-Syringe (CIS) hydrogel, how regenerative biomaterials such as GF19-functionalized matrices can be tailored to promote ocular healing, and the future of minimally invasive technologies for corneal repair and vision restoration.Learn more:Dr. May Griffith - https://www.griffithresearch.ca/may-griffith-2Andrés Mercado (Alarcón Lab) - https://www.beatsresearch.com/Alarcon.php0:00 | BEaTS and host introduction.0:27 | Introduction to Dr. Griffith.1:11 | Childhood encounter in Malaysia that inspired Dr. Griffith’s mission.2:57 | Main obstacles to corneal care in low-resource countries.4:15 | Donor shortages and compatibility challenges in corneal transplants.5:08 | Why donor compatibility matters and why people hesitate to donate.5:44 | How artificial/cell-free corneas work - “Field of Dreams” analogy.7:35 | What is Cornea-in-a-Syringe and how does it expand access?9:10 | Why combine Cornea-in-a-Syringe with antiviral GF19 instead of just eye drops?11:44 | Future of corneal treatments and a “vaccine-like” vision restoration.13:10 | Comments from Andrés Mercado on Dr. Griffith’s work.14:01 | Podcast conclusion.Background music: “Podcast Background Music While Talking Interviews - Free Music to use, No Copyright” by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos.Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 (CC BY 3.0).Watch/listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdFqvdekuvIChannel: https://www.youtube.com/@podcastbackgroundmusicCreative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0Music promoted by Copyright Free Music - Background Music For Videos - https://www.youtube.com/@podcastbackgroundmusicAlyssa Thomas (Content Generation), Michael Wossen (Producer), Chris Kachi (Voice), and Salah Hussein Aly (Post-Production)

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related