Episode 96. Regenerative Medicine with Dr Kiryu Yap
The field of regenerative medicine is likely to significantly change how we practice medicine in the future with some amazing capabilities -harnessing the power of stem cells to restore form and function of damaged tissue. The potential of regenerative medicine has already being recognised in the areas of immunotherapy and bone marrow transplantation however the future is likely to see many further shining examples of its promise ,application and capability. Consider the possibility of injecting cardiac stem cells into the surrounding viable ventricular myocardium adjacent to an acute myocardial infarction providing functioning myocardial cells to restore cardiac output or indeed replacing a damaged organ such as a cirrhotic liver allowing restored hepatic synthetic function.
A group of scientists at St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research in Melbourne with co lead researcher Kiryu Yap are attempting to do just that. Following a breakthrough over 4 years ago their team has the aim of growing entire lobes of the liver by taking patients’ blood and carefully reprogramming cells to become stem cells .This technology became available after the amazing techniques described by Sir John Gurdon and Shinya Yamanaka who discovered that mature cells can be reprogrammed to become pluripotent leading to their 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine.
It is known that about 7000 Australians die each year from chronic liver disease and that 260 livers are transplanted each year between Australia and New Zealand so if this bold project is successful, it will provide significant value to patients suffering with advanced and deteriorating liver disease. After genetically reprogramming cells to become pluripotent stem cells the application of very specific nutrients exerts the appropriate epigenetic effect to induce tiny liver cells. The plan is to implant these into the groin of patients where the small liver buds will be supported by the patient's blood vessels before the liver lobe is eventually harvested and transplanted to replace the diseased organ. Please join this fascinating discussion with Kiryu.
References:
Dr Kiryu Yap-School of Biomedical Sciences-University of Melbourne
www.svi.edu.au- Vacular biology-St Vincents Institiue of Medical Research-Dr Kiryu Yap
www.nobelprize.org- The 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
https:/transplant.org.au
To be a guest on the show or provide some feedback, I’d love to hear from you: manager@gihealth.com.au
Dr Luke Crantock MBBS, FRACP, is a gastroenterologist in practice for over 25 years. He is the founder of The Centre for GI Health, based in Melbourne Australia and is passionate about educating General Practitioners and patients on disease prevention and how to manage and improve their digestive health.