ever since I was a kid I’ve been fascinated by the heart and you could
fascinated by the heart and you could
fascinated by the heart and you could ask why well one obvious reason is it’s
ask why well one obvious reason is it’s
ask why well one obvious reason is it’s beating 24/7 and it’s very impressive
beating 24/7 and it’s very impressive
beating 24/7 and it’s very impressive over the course of a lifetime it could
over the course of a lifetime it could
over the course of a lifetime it could be 3 billion times pumping hundreds of
be 3 billion times pumping hundreds of
be 3 billion times pumping hundreds of millions of litres of blood it’s very
millions of litres of blood it’s very
millions of litres of blood it’s very impressive
impressive
impressive but what happens when the heart stops
but what happens when the heart stops
but what happens when the heart stops well of course it’s gonna stop at some
well of course it’s gonna stop at some
well of course it’s gonna stop at some stage we all die eventually but what
stage we all die eventually but what
stage we all die eventually but what happens if it stops beating when you’re
happens if it stops beating when you’re
happens if it stops beating when you’re twenty years of age and many of you have
twenty years of age and many of you have
twenty years of age and many of you have seen these at leat athletes playing
seen these at leat athletes playing
seen these at leat athletes playing soccer football hockey and collapse on
soccer football hockey and collapse on
soccer football hockey and collapse on the field and in these instances they’re
the field and in these instances they’re
the field and in these instances they’re usually suffering from sudden cardiac
usually suffering from sudden cardiac
usually suffering from sudden cardiac arrest so what is sudden cardiac arrest
arrest so what is sudden cardiac arrest
arrest so what is sudden cardiac arrest well in order to revive the person we
well in order to revive the person we
well in order to revive the person we have to use an automated external
have to use an automated external
have to use an automated external defibrillator or else the heart won’t
defibrillator or else the heart won’t
defibrillator or else the heart won’t start beating again and of course these
start beating again and of course these
start beating again and of course these are distributed now in most buildings
are distributed now in most buildings
are distributed now in most buildings hockey rinks etc and when they apply a
hockey rinks etc and when they apply a
hockey rinks etc and when they apply a jolt of electricity the heart starts
jolt of electricity the heart starts
jolt of electricity the heart starts beating again
beating again
beating again however the person has been revived but
however the person has been revived but
however the person has been revived but they have not been cured so what is this
they have not been cured so what is this
they have not been cured so what is this phenomenon that we’re talking about
phenomenon that we’re talking about
phenomenon that we’re talking about well sudden cardiac arrest you might
well sudden cardiac arrest you might
well sudden cardiac arrest you might think of it as being a heart attack but
think of it as being a heart attack but
think of it as being a heart attack but it’s nothing at all like a heart attack
it’s nothing at all like a heart attack
it’s nothing at all like a heart attack and maybe a good analogy would be heart
and maybe a good analogy would be heart
and maybe a good analogy would be heart attack is like plumbers are two
attack is like plumbers are two
attack is like plumbers are two electricians the plumbers represent or
electricians the plumbers represent or
electricians the plumbers represent or the plumbing problems represent a heart
the plumbing problems represent a heart
the plumbing problems represent a heart attack and the coronary vessels get
attack and the coronary vessels get
attack and the coronary vessels get blocked this clot or some fatty tissue
blocked this clot or some fatty tissue
blocked this clot or some fatty tissue that you’re aware of
that you’re aware of
that you’re aware of but sudden cardiac arrest is an
but sudden cardiac arrest is an
but sudden cardiac arrest is an electrical chaotic event very hard to
electrical chaotic event very hard to
electrical chaotic event very hard to detect so in a normal ECG pattern which
detect so in a normal ECG pattern which
detect so in a normal ECG pattern which looks something like this we can see the
looks something like this we can see the
looks something like this we can see the characteristic behavior of normal
characteristic behavior of normal
characteristic behavior of normal excitation and relaxation when the heart
excitation and relaxation when the heart
excitation and relaxation when the heart goes into sudden cardiac arrest the ECG
goes into sudden cardiac arrest the ECG
goes into sudden cardiac arrest the ECG the actual cardiogram looks like this
the actual cardiogram looks like this
the actual cardiogram looks like this this is myocardial fibrillation and we
this is myocardial fibrillation and we
this is myocardial fibrillation and we can only last about two or three minutes
can only last about two or three minutes
can only last about two or three minutes once we go to the stage we have
once we go to the stage we have
once we go to the stage we have be revived now what causes this well we
be revived now what causes this well we
be revived now what causes this well we know that there are a variety of
know that there are a variety of
know that there are a variety of different mutations that we were born
different mutations that we were born
different mutations that we were born with but we’re talking for example a kid
with but we’re talking for example a kid
with but we’re talking for example a kid a young adult 20 years of age who was
a young adult 20 years of age who was
a young adult 20 years of age who was born with this mutation and yet the
born with this mutation and yet the
born with this mutation and yet the problem never occurred until they’re 20
problem never occurred until they’re 20
problem never occurred until they’re 20 25 30 years of age and so what has to
25 30 years of age and so what has to
25 30 years of age and so what has to happen is not only do they carry the
happen is not only do they carry the
happen is not only do they carry the mutation and most often they’re not even
mutation and most often they’re not even
mutation and most often they’re not even aware that they have this mutation but a
aware that they have this mutation but a
aware that they have this mutation but a confluence of other events perhaps
confluence of other events perhaps
confluence of other events perhaps exercise and perhaps some drugs are
exercise and perhaps some drugs are
exercise and perhaps some drugs are taking over-the-counter medications a
taking over-the-counter medications a
taking over-the-counter medications a variety of different things have to
variety of different things have to
variety of different things have to happen at the same time which trigger
happen at the same time which trigger
happen at the same time which trigger the Maya the sudden cardiac arrest and
the Maya the sudden cardiac arrest and
the Maya the sudden cardiac arrest and result in this myocardial fibrillation
result in this myocardial fibrillation
result in this myocardial fibrillation now these images that you can see on
now these images that you can see on
now these images that you can see on YouTube they’re quite devastating but
YouTube they’re quite devastating but
YouTube they’re quite devastating but honestly the impact really wasn’t felt
honestly the impact really wasn’t felt
honestly the impact really wasn’t felt by me until about eight years ago and
by me until about eight years ago and
by me until about eight years ago and that was when Bernie deitrick was
that was when Bernie deitrick was
that was when Bernie deitrick was quarterback at Simon Fraser University
quarterback at Simon Fraser University
quarterback at Simon Fraser University and this kid he came from Austria of all
and this kid he came from Austria of all
and this kid he came from Austria of all places to play football this was his
places to play football this was his
places to play football this was his dream to play football and he became the
dream to play football and he became the
dream to play football and he became the starting quarterback he became a star
starting quarterback he became a star
starting quarterback he became a star quarterback and in the middle of the
quarterback and in the middle of the
quarterback and in the middle of the football season he had sudden cardiac
football season he had sudden cardiac
football season he had sudden cardiac arrest and he died age of 21 very tragic
arrest and he died age of 21 very tragic
arrest and he died age of 21 very tragic but it was this event that really struck
but it was this event that really struck
but it was this event that really struck me I mean I had read and all of you have
me I mean I had read and all of you have
me I mean I had read and all of you have seen these kinds of events but this was
seen these kinds of events but this was
seen these kinds of events but this was more personal I mean it was felt across
more personal I mean it was felt across
more personal I mean it was felt across the campus and in my mind it sort of
the campus and in my mind it sort of
the campus and in my mind it sort of shifted what I was thinking about how to
shifted what I was thinking about how to
shifted what I was thinking about how to apply my research and so we started
apply my research and so we started
apply my research and so we started investigating this we can call these
investigating this we can call these
investigating this we can call these events the perfect electrical assassin
events the perfect electrical assassin
events the perfect electrical assassin and the reason being is that often the
and the reason being is that often the
and the reason being is that often the first symptom is death these people are
first symptom is death these people are
first symptom is death these people are unaware that their carry mutation which
unaware that their carry mutation which
unaware that their carry mutation which could lead to their demise the second
could lead to their demise the second
could lead to their demise the second thing is on autopsy there are no visible
thing is on autopsy there are no visible
thing is on autopsy there are no visible signs of how the person died it makes it
signs of how the person died it makes it
signs of how the person died it makes it incredibly difficult so they’re like
incredibly difficult so they’re like
incredibly difficult so they’re like it’s like a ninja
it’s like a ninja
it’s like a ninja the sense in that it creeps up attacks
the sense in that it creeps up attacks
the sense in that it creeps up attacks and leaves the scene very difficult to
and leaves the scene very difficult to
and leaves the scene very difficult to deal with very difficult to predict so
deal with very difficult to predict so
deal with very difficult to predict so the question is can these new tools that
the question is can these new tools that
the question is can these new tools that I’ll talk about in personalized medicine
I’ll talk about in personalized medicine
I’ll talk about in personalized medicine actually address these questions can we
actually address these questions can we
actually address these questions can we predict who’s at risk can we prevent
predict who’s at risk can we prevent
predict who’s at risk can we prevent them from actually having sudden cardiac
them from actually having sudden cardiac
them from actually having sudden cardiac arrest can we detect which mutations are
arrest can we detect which mutations are
arrest can we detect which mutations are the most serious and my answer to this
the most serious and my answer to this
the most serious and my answer to this question is yes and there are been many
question is yes and there are been many
question is yes and there are been many techniques to develop but in the last 10
techniques to develop but in the last 10
techniques to develop but in the last 10 years protecting the last five to
years protecting the last five to
years protecting the last five to transformative techniques have
transformative techniques have
transformative techniques have completely revolutionized medicine the
completely revolutionized medicine the
completely revolutionized medicine the first one is the ability to reprogram
first one is the ability to reprogram
first one is the ability to reprogram adult cells into stem cells and the
adult cells into stem cells and the
adult cells into stem cells and the second is to Gino to edit these cells or
second is to Gino to edit these cells or
second is to Gino to edit these cells or any other kind of cells using genome
any other kind of cells using genome
any other kind of cells using genome editing programs and you’re probably
editing programs and you’re probably
editing programs and you’re probably most familiar with the program protocol
most familiar with the program protocol
most familiar with the program protocol known as CRISPR it’s in the news almost
known as CRISPR it’s in the news almost
known as CRISPR it’s in the news almost every day these two techniques
every day these two techniques
every day these two techniques collectively can be used to actually
collectively can be used to actually
collectively can be used to actually impinge and improve the response that we
impinge and improve the response that we
impinge and improve the response that we just talked about improving the case of
just talked about improving the case of
just talked about improving the case of sudden cardiac arrest and other problems
sudden cardiac arrest and other problems
sudden cardiac arrest and other problems that I’ll talk about so what are these
that I’ll talk about so what are these
that I’ll talk about so what are these well first of all the technique of
well first of all the technique of
well first of all the technique of reprogramming adult cells and they could
reprogramming adult cells and they could
reprogramming adult cells and they could be skin cells fat cells blood cells into
be skin cells fat cells blood cells into
be skin cells fat cells blood cells into stem cells embryonic stem cells that
stem cells embryonic stem cells that
stem cells embryonic stem cells that have the capability of becoming anything
have the capability of becoming anything
have the capability of becoming anything was developed by Shinya Yamanaka in
was developed by Shinya Yamanaka in
was developed by Shinya Yamanaka in japan and what he developed was the
japan and what he developed was the
japan and what he developed was the discovery after many many years of
discovery after many many years of
discovery after many many years of incredibly difficult work of the so
incredibly difficult work of the so
incredibly difficult work of the so called Yamanaka factors there’s four of
called Yamanaka factors there’s four of
called Yamanaka factors there’s four of them and they’re transcription factors
them and they’re transcription factors
them and they’re transcription factors and when these factors are placed into
and when these factors are placed into
and when these factors are placed into the adult cells they caused the entire
the adult cells they caused the entire
the adult cells they caused the entire cell to reprogram and over the course of
cell to reprogram and over the course of
cell to reprogram and over the course of about a month these cells have
about a month these cells have
about a month these cells have completely been transformed from adult
completely been transformed from adult
completely been transformed from adult cells into the
cells into the
cells into the potent stem cells now why is this
potent stem cells now why is this
potent stem cells now why is this important is because what we and other
important is because what we and other
important is because what we and other people do we now take these purple and
people do we now take these purple and
people do we now take these purple and stem cells that came from the patient or
stem cells that came from the patient or
stem cells that came from the patient or they came from the donor carrying their
they came from the donor carrying their
they came from the donor carrying their genomic information and now we can make
genomic information and now we can make
genomic information and now we can make heart cells from them or we can make
heart cells from them or we can make
heart cells from them or we can make pancreatic cells if they have a liver I
pancreatic cells if they have a liver I
pancreatic cells if they have a liver I sort of have a insulin diabetic kind of
sort of have a insulin diabetic kind of
sort of have a insulin diabetic kind of problem or a variety of other cells this
problem or a variety of other cells this
problem or a variety of other cells this work was so powerful in six years later
work was so powerful in six years later
work was so powerful in six years later 2012 she need a Minako won a Nobel Prize
2012 she need a Minako won a Nobel Prize
2012 she need a Minako won a Nobel Prize and the technique is used worldwide down
and the technique is used worldwide down
and the technique is used worldwide down and the second technique that will
and the second technique that will
and the second technique that will coordinate with that is CRISPR Castine
coordinate with that is CRISPR Castine
coordinate with that is CRISPR Castine and this work was first developed by
and this work was first developed by
and this work was first developed by Emanuel sharp on c8 and Jennifer Doudna
Emanuel sharp on c8 and Jennifer Doudna
Emanuel sharp on c8 and Jennifer Doudna who worked together collaboratively and
who worked together collaboratively and
who worked together collaboratively and then with subsequent work by Feng Shui
then with subsequent work by Feng Shui
then with subsequent work by Feng Shui at MIT they developed this really
at MIT they developed this really
at MIT they developed this really powerful technique that has the ability
powerful technique that has the ability
powerful technique that has the ability to transform someone’s life and to not
to transform someone’s life and to not
to transform someone’s life and to not only detect but prevent genetic based
only detect but prevent genetic based
only detect but prevent genetic based illnesses the work is so powerful that
illnesses the work is so powerful that
illnesses the work is so powerful that most of us feel that they will win
most of us feel that they will win
most of us feel that they will win collectively the Nobel Prize now what
collectively the Nobel Prize now what
collectively the Nobel Prize now what exactly is it well CRISPR cast nine is
exactly is it well CRISPR cast nine is
exactly is it well CRISPR cast nine is they discovered it in bacteria and it
they discovered it in bacteria and it
they discovered it in bacteria and it has the ability to cut DNA and it can
has the ability to cut DNA and it can
has the ability to cut DNA and it can cut DNA in a very precise way but the
cut DNA in a very precise way but the
cut DNA in a very precise way but the real question is how can I get to the
real question is how can I get to the
real question is how can I get to the right place oh my god a little
right place oh my god a little
right place oh my god a little embarrassed about this but this is my
embarrassed about this but this is my
embarrassed about this but this is my desk at SFU
it’s been a tough semester trust me a
it’s been a tough semester trust me a really tough
really tough
really tough those kids are beginning tougher every
those kids are beginning tougher every
those kids are beginning tougher every year just think of my desk as your
year just think of my desk as your
year just think of my desk as your genome
genome
genome okay take away the pistachio shells and
okay take away the pistachio shells and
okay take away the pistachio shells and the matcha latte stains and then I think
the matcha latte stains and then I think
the matcha latte stains and then I think it becomes closer but perhaps I have
it becomes closer but perhaps I have
it becomes closer but perhaps I have 20,000 books and leaflets on here which
20,000 books and leaflets on here which
20,000 books and leaflets on here which represent over the 20,000 genes in your
represent over the 20,000 genes in your
represent over the 20,000 genes in your genome and it turns out that there’s a
genome and it turns out that there’s a
genome and it turns out that there’s a manuscript in there which runs the
manuscript in there which runs the
manuscript in there which runs the ethical program for this individual and
ethical program for this individual and
ethical program for this individual and within that F of ethical program there’s
within that F of ethical program there’s
within that F of ethical program there’s perhaps a ten commandments and they made
perhaps a ten commandments and they made
perhaps a ten commandments and they made a typo and it says thou shalt not steal
a typo and it says thou shalt not steal
a typo and it says thou shalt not steal it says thou shalt now steal so the W
it says thou shalt now steal so the W
it says thou shalt now steal so the W was changed to a T or vice versa we
was changed to a T or vice versa we
was changed to a T or vice versa we don’t want this person becoming a
don’t want this person becoming a
don’t want this person becoming a chronic kleptomaniac so we have to
chronic kleptomaniac so we have to
chronic kleptomaniac so we have to change this so the idea with CRISPR cos
change this so the idea with CRISPR cos
change this so the idea with CRISPR cos is to sort through that pilot crap
is to sort through that pilot crap
is to sort through that pilot crap and get to the right booklet to the
and get to the right booklet to the
and get to the right booklet to the right page to the right paragraph to the
right page to the right paragraph to the
right page to the right paragraph to the right word and cut exactly so we can
right word and cut exactly so we can
right word and cut exactly so we can remove the W and put in a teeth it’s
remove the W and put in a teeth it’s
remove the W and put in a teeth it’s horrendous task in fact you know there’s
horrendous task in fact you know there’s
horrendous task in fact you know there’s probably a few grad students skeletons
probably a few grad students skeletons
probably a few grad students skeletons are lining in here too it’s a it’s a
are lining in here too it’s a it’s a
are lining in here too it’s a it’s a disaster anyway the experimenter and
disaster anyway the experimenter and
disaster anyway the experimenter and Christopher cast nine has the ability to
Christopher cast nine has the ability to
Christopher cast nine has the ability to do exactly that with a guide RNA and
do exactly that with a guide RNA and
do exactly that with a guide RNA and that’s shown in yellow here that’s what
that’s shown in yellow here that’s what
that’s shown in yellow here that’s what directs it to the appropriate place
directs it to the appropriate place
directs it to the appropriate place within this massive genome of 20,000
within this massive genome of 20,000
within this massive genome of 20,000 genes and specific places within those
genes and specific places within those
genes and specific places within those so once we were there we’ve brought this
so once we were there we’ve brought this
so once we were there we’ve brought this huge machinery the cast nine to the
huge machinery the cast nine to the
huge machinery the cast nine to the right place we can make the cut then we
right place we can make the cut then we
right place we can make the cut then we can replace the W with a T and now it
can replace the W with a T and now it
can replace the W with a T and now it says thou shalt not steal of course this
says thou shalt not steal of course this
says thou shalt not steal of course this applies to the other Commandments too
applies to the other Commandments too
applies to the other Commandments too but I thought I’d stick with just the
but I thought I’d stick with just the
but I thought I’d stick with just the steel I thought I’d leave killing an
steel I thought I’d leave killing an
steel I thought I’d leave killing an adult tree out of it for out so we have
adult tree out of it for out so we have
adult tree out of it for out so we have a very powerful technique in which we
a very powerful technique in which we
a very powerful technique in which we can go in and precisely change the
can go in and precisely change the
can go in and precisely change the genotype and this allows us to both
genotype and this allows us to both
genotype and this allows us to both study diseases and to cure diseases so
study diseases and to cure diseases so
study diseases and to cure diseases so how do these tools actually address the
how do these tools actually address the
how do these tools actually address the original question arrays of sudden
original question arrays of sudden
original question arrays of sudden cardiac arrest well what we do in our
cardiac arrest well what we do in our
cardiac arrest well what we do in our lab is that we can take blood from a
lab is that we can take blood from a
lab is that we can take blood from a patient who has an arrhythmia the
patient who has an arrhythmia the
patient who has an arrhythmia the cardiologist really aren’t sure how
cardiologist really aren’t sure how
cardiologist really aren’t sure how serious this arrhythmia is whether it
serious this arrhythmia is whether it
serious this arrhythmia is whether it could cause sudden cardiac arrest or
could cause sudden cardiac arrest or
could cause sudden cardiac arrest or whether they could lead lead a normal
whether they could lead lead a normal
whether they could lead lead a normal life and so we can take blood from them
life and so we can take blood from them
life and so we can take blood from them and people in my lab use the Yamanaka
and people in my lab use the Yamanaka
and people in my lab use the Yamanaka program to convert those blood cells
program to convert those blood cells
program to convert those blood cells into stem cells and then we can use the
into stem cells and then we can use the
into stem cells and then we can use the CRISPR cast nine and we can either take
CRISPR cast nine and we can either take
CRISPR cast nine and we can either take out that mutation that we think might be
out that mutation that we think might be
out that mutation that we think might be causal or we can introduce the mutation
causal or we can introduce the mutation
causal or we can introduce the mutation from a healthy donor and see if it
from a healthy donor and see if it
from a healthy donor and see if it causes a problem and then we can
causes a problem and then we can
causes a problem and then we can differentiate these or change these stem
differentiate these or change these stem
differentiate these or change these stem cells into beating heart cells
cells into beating heart cells
cells into beating heart cells so I was very fortunate to have a grad
so I was very fortunate to have a grad
so I was very fortunate to have a grad student somehow appear out of the blue
student somehow appear out of the blue
student somehow appear out of the blue from Iran by the name of Sonam she
from Iran by the name of Sonam she
from Iran by the name of Sonam she fought a lob and she worked with us and
fought a lob and she worked with us and
fought a lob and she worked with us and with some colleagues in Japan and
with some colleagues in Japan and
with some colleagues in Japan and developed this technique in which we
developed this technique in which we
developed this technique in which we drew blood from a patient and what’s
drew blood from a patient and what’s
drew blood from a patient and what’s shown here is actually cells that are
shown here is actually cells that are
shown here is actually cells that are grown in a 35 millimeter petri dish in a
grown in a 35 millimeter petri dish in a
grown in a 35 millimeter petri dish in a dish this size and in a dish this size
dish this size and in a dish this size
dish this size and in a dish this size we have tens of thousands of cells so
we have tens of thousands of cells so
we have tens of thousands of cells so these cells these blood cells are
these cells these blood cells are
these cells these blood cells are reprogrammed to the Yamanaka technique
reprogrammed to the Yamanaka technique
reprogrammed to the Yamanaka technique and then if they’re chris bird or
and then if they’re chris bird or
and then if they’re chris bird or whatever at that stage that’s fine and
whatever at that stage that’s fine and
whatever at that stage that’s fine and then she starts the process of
then she starts the process of
then she starts the process of differentiating these things into heart
differentiating these things into heart
differentiating these things into heart cells and it takes about ten days we
cells and it takes about ten days we
cells and it takes about ten days we have to apply chemicals to turn on
have to apply chemicals to turn on
have to apply chemicals to turn on certain genes turn off certain genes so
certain genes turn off certain genes so
certain genes turn off certain genes so starts at a zero by the tenth day the
starts at a zero by the tenth day the
starts at a zero by the tenth day the whole petri dish is beating in unison
whole petri dish is beating in unison
whole petri dish is beating in unison they’re all cardiac cells and not only
they’re all cardiac cells and not only
they’re all cardiac cells and not only that but they’re carrying the genome of
that but they’re carrying the genome of
that but they’re carrying the genome of the patient from whom we took the
the patient from whom we took the
the patient from whom we took the original cells so this is fantastic work
original cells so this is fantastic work
original cells so this is fantastic work by Sonam but then we had to ask the
by Sonam but then we had to ask the
by Sonam but then we had to ask the question how do we really know whether
question how do we really know whether
question how do we really know whether the excitation is abnormal or if it’s
the excitation is abnormal or if it’s
the excitation is abnormal or if it’s perfectly normal and Sonam who’s shown
perfectly normal and Sonam who’s shown
perfectly normal and Sonam who’s shown here she’s the one with the long hair
worked with another person in my lab
worked with another person in my lab very talented postdoctoral fellow or is
very talented postdoctoral fellow or is
very talented postdoctoral fellow or is he an acrobat document I’m not sure he’s
he an acrobat document I’m not sure he’s
he an acrobat document I’m not sure he’s a PDF and Eric worked with Sonam to
a PDF and Eric worked with Sonam to
a PDF and Eric worked with Sonam to develop something that we call an
develop something that we call an
develop something that we call an optical mapping system and we could look
optical mapping system and we could look
optical mapping system and we could look at this plate of cells and actually
at this plate of cells and actually
at this plate of cells and actually analyze the electrical activity and see
analyze the electrical activity and see
analyze the electrical activity and see whether it’s abnormal or not abnormal
whether it’s abnormal or not abnormal
whether it’s abnormal or not abnormal and so we’re able to look at specific
and so we’re able to look at specific
and so we’re able to look at specific regions of interest or dots and look the
regions of interest or dots and look the
regions of interest or dots and look the excitation pattern
excitation pattern
excitation pattern furthermore we’re able to look at how
furthermore we’re able to look at how
furthermore we’re able to look at how the excitation was conducted across the
the excitation was conducted across the
the excitation was conducted across the plate because this is a one of the real
plate because this is a one of the real
plate because this is a one of the real problems that causes arrhythmias the
problems that causes arrhythmias the
problems that causes arrhythmias the conduction across the heart can be
conduction across the heart can be
conduction across the heart can be abnormal and so we see something like
abnormal and so we see something like
abnormal and so we see something like this
this
this so these two work tremendously well
so these two work tremendously well
so these two work tremendously well together to develop these techniques as
together to develop these techniques as
together to develop these techniques as well as other people in my lab and other
well as other people in my lab and other
well as other people in my lab and other labs again a transform of a set of
labs again a transform of a set of
labs again a transform of a set of techniques which is shifted medicine and
techniques which is shifted medicine and
techniques which is shifted medicine and the study of sudden cardiac arrest so
the study of sudden cardiac arrest so
the study of sudden cardiac arrest so what we have here is called a disease in
what we have here is called a disease in
what we have here is called a disease in a dish approach and first of all not
a dish approach and first of all not
a dish approach and first of all not only is it human but it is also of the
only is it human but it is also of the
only is it human but it is also of the genotype of the individual from whom the
genotype of the individual from whom the
genotype of the individual from whom the cells were taken and it can be modified
cells were taken and it can be modified
cells were taken and it can be modified in any way we wish and secondly there’s
in any way we wish and secondly there’s
in any way we wish and secondly there’s no animals so there’s no ethical issues
no animals so there’s no ethical issues
no animals so there’s no ethical issues about dealing with animals nor is the
about dealing with animals nor is the
about dealing with animals nor is the more controversial scientific issue that
more controversial scientific issue that
more controversial scientific issue that these animals really don’t replicate the
these animals really don’t replicate the
these animals really don’t replicate the human condition very well at all but
human condition very well at all but
human condition very well at all but once we have that plate the one I just
once we have that plate the one I just
once we have that plate the one I just showed you of 10,000 cells or so we
showed you of 10,000 cells or so we
showed you of 10,000 cells or so we could interrogate that dish and it’s not
could interrogate that dish and it’s not
could interrogate that dish and it’s not like you put a hot spotlight over and on
like you put a hot spotlight over and on
like you put a hot spotlight over and on detective comes in place good cop bad
detective comes in place good cop bad
detective comes in place good cop bad cop but we interrogate it on a molecular
cop but we interrogate it on a molecular
cop but we interrogate it on a molecular level and challenge these cells and we
level and challenge these cells and we
level and challenge these cells and we can challenge them by stimulating them
can challenge them by stimulating them
can challenge them by stimulating them electrically by putting compounds on
electrically by putting compounds on
electrically by putting compounds on like adrenaline etc and see how serious
like adrenaline etc and see how serious
like adrenaline etc and see how serious is this arrhythmia what conditions
is this arrhythmia what conditions
is this arrhythmia what conditions produce the arrhythmia and are there
produce the arrhythmia and are there
produce the arrhythmia and are there treatments that we can use to prevent
treatments that we can use to prevent
treatments that we can use to prevent and so eventually what will happen in
and so eventually what will happen in
and so eventually what will happen in this field is a cardiologist will
this field is a cardiologist will
this field is a cardiologist will recommend a patient to us we will go
recommend a patient to us we will go
recommend a patient to us we will go through this interrogation and then tell
through this interrogation and then tell
through this interrogation and then tell the cardiologist we think this person
the cardiologist we think this person
the cardiologist we think this person may be at risk and these are the best
may be at risk and these are the best
may be at risk and these are the best course of treatments based on our in
course of treatments based on our in
course of treatments based on our in vitro analysis this is a far cry from
vitro analysis this is a far cry from
vitro analysis this is a far cry from what we’re doing today in which it’s
what we’re doing today in which it’s
what we’re doing today in which it’s really hit or miss now just slightly
really hit or miss now just slightly
really hit or miss now just slightly change the topic I’ve been talking about
change the topic I’ve been talking about
change the topic I’ve been talking about 20 year olds in the peak or the prime of
20 year olds in the peak or the prime of
20 year olds in the peak or the prime of their lives but most of us are aware of
their lives but most of us are aware of
their lives but most of us are aware of sudden infant death syndrome you hear
sudden infant death syndrome you hear
sudden infant death syndrome you hear about it a lot and people that work in
about it a lot and people that work in
about it a lot and people that work in the field of Cardiology are also aware
the field of Cardiology are also aware
the field of Cardiology are also aware that maybe up to 30% of infants who die
that maybe up to 30% of infants who die
that maybe up to 30% of infants who die from SIDS actually have sudden cardiac
from SIDS actually have sudden cardiac
from SIDS actually have sudden cardiac arrest but it really never dawned on me
arrest but it really never dawned on me
arrest but it really never dawned on me the importance or the impact of this
the importance or the impact of this
the importance or the impact of this until a grad student came to my office
until a grad student came to my office
until a grad student came to my office by the name of Laura Dewar and she
by the name of Laura Dewar and she
by the name of Laura Dewar and she knocked to my door and said she wanted
knocked to my door and said she wanted
knocked to my door and said she wanted to a PhD and this woman was almost 50
to a PhD and this woman was almost 50
to a PhD and this woman was almost 50 years of age and I’m not an ageist
years of age and I’m not an ageist
years of age and I’m not an ageist obviously look at me but the fact that
obviously look at me but the fact that
obviously look at me but the fact that she wanted to commit herself to doing a
she wanted to commit herself to doing a
she wanted to commit herself to doing a PhD at that stage of her life was most
PhD at that stage of her life was most
PhD at that stage of her life was most impressive I had to hear her story I had
impressive I had to hear her story I had
impressive I had to hear her story I had to hear why she was so devoted it turns
to hear why she was so devoted it turns
to hear why she was so devoted it turns out she’d been a corner in BC for more
out she’d been a corner in BC for more
out she’d been a corner in BC for more than 20 years she had investigated
than 20 years she had investigated
than 20 years she had investigated hundreds of cases of SIDS or sudden
hundreds of cases of SIDS or sudden
hundreds of cases of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome and more often not
infant death syndrome and more often not
infant death syndrome and more often not she had to go to the parents and say
she had to go to the parents and say
she had to go to the parents and say your child died but we have no idea why
your child died but we have no idea why
your child died but we have no idea why they died it’s tragic it’s tough enough
they died it’s tragic it’s tough enough
they died it’s tragic it’s tough enough for the parents to deal with the death
for the parents to deal with the death
for the parents to deal with the death of a child an infant in particular but
of a child an infant in particular but
of a child an infant in particular but it’s even worse we don’t know the cause
it’s even worse we don’t know the cause
it’s even worse we don’t know the cause because your other siblings may be at
because your other siblings may be at
because your other siblings may be at risk or you might think and many parents
risk or you might think and many parents
risk or you might think and many parents do that they’re guilty they did
do that they’re guilty they did
do that they’re guilty they did something that caused the death so Laura
something that caused the death so Laura
something that caused the death so Laura went through this with me and decided
went through this with me and decided
went through this with me and decided we’re going to a PhD and so what we did
we’re going to a PhD and so what we did
we’re going to a PhD and so what we did was we worked with a colleague by the
was we worked with a colleague by the
was we worked with a colleague by the name of Ryan Morin and Laura knew many
name of Ryan Morin and Laura knew many
name of Ryan Morin and Laura knew many medical
medical
medical across the country and Manitoba the
across the country and Manitoba the
across the country and Manitoba the medical examiner Manitoba had a hundred
medical examiner Manitoba had a hundred
medical examiner Manitoba had a hundred ninety one cases of SIDS in which they
ninety one cases of SIDS in which they
ninety one cases of SIDS in which they had no known cause of death these
had no known cause of death these
had no known cause of death these children had been through thorough
children had been through thorough
children had been through thorough autopsies toxicology screens completely
autopsies toxicology screens completely
autopsies toxicology screens completely negative and they asked us can you find
negative and they asked us can you find
negative and they asked us can you find any obvious cases of sudden cardiac
any obvious cases of sudden cardiac
any obvious cases of sudden cardiac arrest from the tissues challenging
arrest from the tissues challenging
arrest from the tissues challenging question and so we sequenced all of
question and so we sequenced all of
question and so we sequenced all of these tissues of massive undertaking and
these tissues of massive undertaking and
these tissues of massive undertaking and we found that we had many mutations
we found that we had many mutations
we found that we had many mutations which were highly suggestive but one in
which were highly suggestive but one in
which were highly suggestive but one in particular I’m showing right here
particular I’m showing right here
particular I’m showing right here our 37c was particularly impressing on
our 37c was particularly impressing on
our 37c was particularly impressing on us because ten of the hundred ninety one
us because ten of the hundred ninety one
us because ten of the hundred ninety one infants died of it identical mutation so
infants died of it identical mutation so
infants died of it identical mutation so the question is how can you find out
the question is how can you find out
the question is how can you find out whether that was actually the cause of
whether that was actually the cause of
whether that was actually the cause of death and this is where we brought Sonam
death and this is where we brought Sonam
death and this is where we brought Sonam in again and we use the two techniques I
in again and we use the two techniques I
in again and we use the two techniques I just talked about we use the stem cells
just talked about we use the stem cells
just talked about we use the stem cells we CRISPR it in this mutation into these
we CRISPR it in this mutation into these
we CRISPR it in this mutation into these cells we made heart cells and this is
cells we made heart cells and this is
cells we made heart cells and this is how they beat they beat like this and
how they beat they beat like this and
how they beat they beat like this and under normal conditions things look
under normal conditions things look
under normal conditions things look pretty reasonable but when we challenge
pretty reasonable but when we challenge
pretty reasonable but when we challenge these cells then we see electrical chaos
these cells then we see electrical chaos
these cells then we see electrical chaos and we’re pretty well convinced that
and we’re pretty well convinced that
and we’re pretty well convinced that this work it’s telling us and the
this work it’s telling us and the
this work it’s telling us and the cardiologists and the parents how their
cardiologists and the parents how their
cardiologists and the parents how their children died and now we can look at
children died and now we can look at
children died and now we can look at potentially other family members who
potentially other family members who
potentially other family members who might have the same mutation so this is
might have the same mutation so this is
might have the same mutation so this is transforming the field now in terms of
transforming the field now in terms of
transforming the field now in terms of the shift the personal shift that I felt
the shift the personal shift that I felt
the shift the personal shift that I felt was the death of a football player star
was the death of a football player star
was the death of a football player star kid who came from Austria had a dream it
kid who came from Austria had a dream it
kid who came from Austria had a dream it changed how I thought about sudden
changed how I thought about sudden
changed how I thought about sudden cardiac arrest in elite athletes and
cardiac arrest in elite athletes and
cardiac arrest in elite athletes and then Laura talking to me about trying to
then Laura talking to me about trying to
then Laura talking to me about trying to explain SIDS and sudden cardiac arrest
explain SIDS and sudden cardiac arrest
explain SIDS and sudden cardiac arrest in infants but the field that medicine
in infants but the field that medicine
in infants but the field that medicine is undergone is undergoing a revolution
is undergone is undergoing a revolution
is undergone is undergoing a revolution we’re going from one-size-fits-all
we’re going from one-size-fits-all
we’re going from one-size-fits-all medicine into personalized medicine and
medicine into personalized medicine and
medicine into personalized medicine and eventually into precision medicine a
eventually into precision medicine a
eventually into precision medicine a huge change we’re not just considering
huge change we’re not just considering
huge change we’re not just considering your gender or your weight or your
your gender or your weight or your
your gender or your weight or your ethnicity but your precise
ethnicity but your precise
ethnicity but your precise you know and much more information than
you know and much more information than
you know and much more information than that drug discovery so currently when
that drug discovery so currently when
that drug discovery so currently when drugs are being evaluated their hundreds
drugs are being evaluated their hundreds
drugs are being evaluated their hundreds of thousands of patients are being are
of thousands of patients are being are
of thousands of patients are being are thought tens of thousands patients are
thought tens of thousands patients are
thought tens of thousands patients are being used in phase three clinical
being used in phase three clinical
being used in phase three clinical trials this will now move into the kind
trials this will now move into the kind
trials this will now move into the kind of preparation that I talked about we’ll
of preparation that I talked about we’ll
of preparation that I talked about we’ll be studying it in petri dishes before it
be studying it in petri dishes before it
be studying it in petri dishes before it goes to the patients because in these
goes to the patients because in these
goes to the patients because in these phase three clinical trials many
phase three clinical trials many
phase three clinical trials many patients die and some studies have to be
patients die and some studies have to be
patients die and some studies have to be stopped because too many patients die so
stopped because too many patients die so
stopped because too many patients die so this will revolutionize how we approach
this will revolutionize how we approach
this will revolutionize how we approach it and regenerative medicine we could
it and regenerative medicine we could
it and regenerative medicine we could make cornea now from the patient’s
make cornea now from the patient’s
make cornea now from the patient’s pancreatic cells are being used to treat
pancreatic cells are being used to treat
pancreatic cells are being used to treat people with type 1 diabetes and in the
people with type 1 diabetes and in the
people with type 1 diabetes and in the future we will be making hearts from the
future we will be making hearts from the
future we will be making hearts from the blood of patients and just in the case
blood of patients and just in the case
blood of patients and just in the case of sudden cardiac arrest we’re going to
of sudden cardiac arrest we’re going to
of sudden cardiac arrest we’re going to be able to really add more clothes to
be able to really add more clothes to
be able to really add more clothes to doing this now assess the degree of risk
doing this now assess the degree of risk
doing this now assess the degree of risk that they’re at and actually make useful
that they’re at and actually make useful
that they’re at and actually make useful and meaningful interventions and my hope
and meaningful interventions and my hope
and meaningful interventions and my hope is that we could really reduce the
is that we could really reduce the
is that we could really reduce the incidence of sudden infant death caused
incidence of sudden infant death caused
incidence of sudden infant death caused by sudden cardiac arrest I hope you can
by sudden cardiac arrest I hope you can
by sudden cardiac arrest I hope you can appreciate these ideas remember there’s
appreciate these ideas remember there’s
appreciate these ideas remember there’s always Cavett’s and some concerns but
always Cavett’s and some concerns but
always Cavett’s and some concerns but this revolution in medicine is truly
this revolution in medicine is truly
this revolution in medicine is truly awe-inspiring thank you
awe-inspiring thank you
awe-inspiring thank you [Applause]
”
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