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Translating the language of cells into regenerative medicine | Biju Parekkadan | TEDxRutgers


so we’re gonna take a journey the

so we’re gonna take a journey the journey spans about 15 years of time

journey spans about 15 years of time

journey spans about 15 years of time it’s gonna take us to multiple

it’s gonna take us to multiple

it’s gonna take us to multiple continents of the world and as well as

continents of the world and as well as

continents of the world and as well as hopefully scale a therapy using cells to

hopefully scale a therapy using cells to

hopefully scale a therapy using cells to what we hope to see to be the next

what we hope to see to be the next

what we hope to see to be the next global cell therapy that that really

global cell therapy that that really

global cell therapy that that really gets distributed so this medicine is

gets distributed so this medicine is

gets distributed so this medicine is something that as we’ve been working on

something that as we’ve been working on

something that as we’ve been working on for about 15 years and it involves cell

for about 15 years and it involves cell

for about 15 years and it involves cell communication and and so some of the

communication and and so some of the

communication and and so some of the points that I want to get across our how

points that I want to get across our how

points that I want to get across our how cells communicate why cell communication

cells communicate why cell communication

cells communicate why cell communication is really important in health what

is really important in health what

is really important in health what happens in disease to all of our cells

happens in disease to all of our cells

happens in disease to all of our cells and their communication patterns and how

and their communication patterns and how

and their communication patterns and how we’re gonna try to fix it using a cell

we’re gonna try to fix it using a cell

we’re gonna try to fix it using a cell therapy so with that let’s begin and let

therapy so with that let’s begin and let

therapy so with that let’s begin and let me start by the first revelation that I

me start by the first revelation that I

me start by the first revelation that I had a long time ago which is that cells

had a long time ago which is that cells

had a long time ago which is that cells communicate using cell phones right

communicate using cell phones right

communicate using cell phones right obviously this should be nothing new to

obviously this should be nothing new to

obviously this should be nothing new to everyone it’s it’s why we call them cell

everyone it’s it’s why we call them cell

everyone it’s it’s why we call them cell phones no but in all reality cells

phones no but in all reality cells

phones no but in all reality cells communicate using natural molecules okay

communicate using natural molecules okay

communicate using natural molecules okay proteins fats sugars even genetic

proteins fats sugars even genetic

proteins fats sugars even genetic material things like RNA and DNA are

material things like RNA and DNA are

material things like RNA and DNA are made inside of cells they’re packaged up

made inside of cells they’re packaged up

made inside of cells they’re packaged up and they’re secreted outside of those

and they’re secreted outside of those

and they’re secreted outside of those cells through their cellular membranes

cells through their cellular membranes

cells through their cellular membranes and if you have a not-so-great cell

and if you have a not-so-great cell

and if you have a not-so-great cell phone plan those molecules only can act

phone plan those molecules only can act

phone plan those molecules only can act and diffuse locally and we’re talking

and diffuse locally and we’re talking

and diffuse locally and we’re talking about length length scales of about ten

about length length scales of about ten

about length length scales of about ten to a hundred microns in size that’s the

to a hundred microns in size that’s the

to a hundred microns in size that’s the size and width of a human hair

size and width of a human hair

size and width of a human hair and unfortunately I don’t have a prop to

and unfortunately I don’t have a prop to

and unfortunately I don’t have a prop to show you that that length today but

show you that that length today but

show you that that length today but hopefully you get the point so this type

hopefully you get the point so this type

hopefully you get the point so this type of local signaling it’s really nearest

of local signaling it’s really nearest

of local signaling it’s really nearest neighbour signaling that’s taking place

neighbour signaling that’s taking place

neighbour signaling that’s taking place inside of tissues very small

inside of tissues very small

inside of tissues very small environments and we call this local

environments and we call this local

environments and we call this local signaling Peregrine’s that it’s just to

signaling Peregrine’s that it’s just to

signaling Peregrine’s that it’s just to define some terms now

define some terms now

define some terms now if you have a even better cellphone plan

if you have a even better cellphone plan

if you have a even better cellphone plan you will have the opportunity to do

you will have the opportunity to do

you will have the opportunity to do long-range signaling distant signaling

long-range signaling distant signaling

long-range signaling distant signaling and we call this endocrine signaling

and we call this endocrine signaling

and we call this endocrine signaling this is a way where a cell from one

this is a way where a cell from one

this is a way where a cell from one location in the body can secrete

location in the body can secrete

location in the body can secrete something and have it travel all the way

something and have it travel all the way

something and have it travel all the way to a distant part of the body the

to a distant part of the body the

to a distant part of the body the classical examples are things like

classical examples are things like

classical examples are things like hormones which are often made in the

hormones which are often made in the

hormones which are often made in the pituitary gland they travel all

pituitary gland they travel all

pituitary gland they travel all throughout the bloodstream and cause

throughout the bloodstream and cause

throughout the bloodstream and cause physiological signals and other tissues

physiological signals and other tissues

physiological signals and other tissues so great we’ve defined short-term

so great we’ve defined short-term

so great we’ve defined short-term signaling long long-distance signaling

signaling long long-distance signaling

signaling long long-distance signaling now as engineers which is really my

now as engineers which is really my

now as engineers which is really my background where I’m trained or what I’m

background where I’m trained or what I’m

background where I’m trained or what I’m trained in we like to think of really

trained in we like to think of really

trained in we like to think of really the collection of cells really an

the collection of cells really an

the collection of cells really an accounting problem how can we accumulate

accounting problem how can we accumulate

accounting problem how can we accumulate all of these cell signals and understand

all of these cell signals and understand

all of these cell signals and understand this as a system and so the aspect of

this as a system and so the aspect of

this as a system and so the aspect of systems biology comes in

systems biology comes in

systems biology comes in so let’s accumulate all of these cells

so let’s accumulate all of these cells

so let’s accumulate all of these cells from all of these tissues secreting all

from all of these tissues secreting all

from all of these tissues secreting all of these things traveling all around the

of these things traveling all around the

of these things traveling all around the human body and that’s the type of

human body and that’s the type of

human body and that’s the type of systems problem that engineers love to

systems problem that engineers love to

systems problem that engineers love to study biomedical engineers left site and

study biomedical engineers left site and

study biomedical engineers left site and so for a man who really likes silence

so for a man who really likes silence

so for a man who really likes silence this is a very noisy system and mother

this is a very noisy system and mother

this is a very noisy system and mother nature’s designed it that way so that

nature’s designed it that way so that

nature’s designed it that way so that when there’s an actual signal when

when there’s an actual signal when

when there’s an actual signal when there’s something that’s really

there’s something that’s really

there’s something that’s really important that the body needs to respond

important that the body needs to respond

important that the body needs to respond to it goes it breaks through that noise

to it goes it breaks through that noise

to it goes it breaks through that noise and the system changes so one of those

and the system changes so one of those

and the system changes so one of those signals unfortunately can be disease and

signals unfortunately can be disease and

signals unfortunately can be disease and what happens in really severe cases of

what happens in really severe cases of

what happens in really severe cases of disease significant injuries we’re

disease significant injuries we’re

disease significant injuries we’re talking about car accidents gunshot

talking about car accidents gunshot

talking about car accidents gunshot wounds drug toxicities things where a

wounds drug toxicities things where a

wounds drug toxicities things where a life is lost and you never get to say

life is lost and you never get to say

life is lost and you never get to say goodbye well the entire communication

goodbye well the entire communication

goodbye well the entire communication network breaks down and there’s a lot of

network breaks down and there’s a lot of

network breaks down and there’s a lot of dysfunction taking place at at multiple

dysfunction taking place at at multiple

dysfunction taking place at at multiple organ levels and as well as

organ levels and as well as

organ levels and as well as physiologically and so our mission from

physiologically and so our mission from

physiologically and so our mission from a medicinal standpoint is to try to

a medicinal standpoint is to try to

a medicinal standpoint is to try to correct this dysfunctional communication

correct this dysfunctional communication

correct this dysfunctional communication pattern that’s our goal how are we going

pattern that’s our goal how are we going

pattern that’s our goal how are we going to do it in such a

to do it in such a

to do it in such a complicated systems Network well we

complicated systems Network well we

complicated systems Network well we decided to fight fire with fire and

decided to fight fire with fire and

decided to fight fire with fire and we’re using a cell there so introduce

we’re using a cell there so introduce

we’re using a cell there so introduce the protagonist of the story these are

the protagonist of the story these are

the protagonist of the story these are called bone marrow stromal cells and

called bone marrow stromal cells and

called bone marrow stromal cells and we’ll use the acronym MSC s just for

we’ll use the acronym MSC s just for

we’ll use the acronym MSC s just for brevity these bone marrow stromal cells

brevity these bone marrow stromal cells

brevity these bone marrow stromal cells are found in the bone marrow of all of

are found in the bone marrow of all of

are found in the bone marrow of all of us they exist there are very very few

us they exist there are very very few

us they exist there are very very few numbers but in fact have are starting to

numbers but in fact have are starting to

numbers but in fact have are starting to be developed as a cell therapy they have

be developed as a cell therapy they have

be developed as a cell therapy they have great attributes actually that make them

great attributes actually that make them

great attributes actually that make them have the potential to be a medicinal

have the potential to be a medicinal

have the potential to be a medicinal product let me give you some examples so

product let me give you some examples so

product let me give you some examples so these cells you can isolate them you can

these cells you can isolate them you can

these cells you can isolate them you can get them from bone marrow you can

get them from bone marrow you can

get them from bone marrow you can actually plate them in a petri culture

actually plate them in a petri culture

actually plate them in a petri culture dish and you can expand them

dish and you can expand them

dish and you can expand them tremendously to huge numbers so if I

tremendously to huge numbers so if I

tremendously to huge numbers so if I need to make a medicine I need to make a

need to make a medicine I need to make a

need to make a medicine I need to make a lot of it and so from a single bone

lot of it and so from a single bone

lot of it and so from a single bone marrow donation you can make thousands

marrow donation you can make thousands

marrow donation you can make thousands and thousands and thousands of products

and thousands and thousands of products

and thousands and thousands of products of hundreds of millions of cells or

of hundreds of millions of cells or

of hundreds of millions of cells or product so the ability for these cells

product so the ability for these cells

product so the ability for these cells to grow makes them highly attractive as

to grow makes them highly attractive as

to grow makes them highly attractive as a cell therapy

a cell therapy

a cell therapy apart from that you’re able to freeze

apart from that you’re able to freeze

apart from that you’re able to freeze these cells so you can freeze them and

these cells so you can freeze them and

these cells so you can freeze them and ultimately create an inventory to

ultimately create an inventory to

ultimately create an inventory to distribute to hospitals locally as well

distribute to hospitals locally as well

distribute to hospitals locally as well as around the world so these are great

as around the world so these are great

as around the world so these are great properties that enable these cells to

properties that enable these cells to

properties that enable these cells to actually be a potential cell therapy but

actually be a potential cell therapy but

actually be a potential cell therapy but it’s the utility that’s important so

it’s the utility that’s important so

it’s the utility that’s important so when I first started research these

when I first started research these

when I first started research these cells were being applied as an

cells were being applied as an

cells were being applied as an intravenous medication to treat

intravenous medication to treat

intravenous medication to treat inflammatory diseases they were shown

inflammatory diseases they were shown

inflammatory diseases they were shown very promising signs in small animal

very promising signs in small animal

very promising signs in small animal studies but then they started to be

studies but then they started to be

studies but then they started to be applied to humans in clinical trials and

applied to humans in clinical trials and

applied to humans in clinical trials and people observed a number of failures and

people observed a number of failures and

people observed a number of failures and so I just started my research I was

so I just started my research I was

so I just started my research I was excited by all the promising results

excited by all the promising results

excited by all the promising results that were out there but I was faced with

that were out there but I was faced with

that were out there but I was faced with this paradox how is this working in

this paradox how is this working in

this paradox how is this working in small animals but not in human beings

small animals but not in human beings

small animals but not in human beings and it led me to focus on the mechanism

and it led me to focus on the mechanism

and it led me to focus on the mechanism of action and what I’m here to get

of action and what I’m here to get

of action and what I’m here to get across is that the mechanism of action

across is that the mechanism of action

across is that the mechanism of action of these cells is really a form of

of these cells is really a form of

of these cells is really a form of cellular communication so here’s really

cellular communication so here’s really

cellular communication so here’s really the paradox that I was faced with when

the paradox that I was faced with when

the paradox that I was faced with when these cells that can

these cells that can

these cells that can mention was to intravenously administer

mention was to intravenously administer

mention was to intravenously administer these cells with the thought the

these cells with the thought the

these cells with the thought the prevailing hypothesis was that these

prevailing hypothesis was that these

prevailing hypothesis was that these cells would find their target organ

cells would find their target organ

cells would find their target organ that’s damaged locally and graphed in

that’s damaged locally and graphed in

that’s damaged locally and graphed in that organ and sort of correct the

that organ and sort of correct the

that organ and sort of correct the inflammation and really the tissue

inflammation and really the tissue

inflammation and really the tissue damage that had occurred from a

damage that had occurred from a

damage that had occurred from a significant injury but you know it this

significant injury but you know it this

significant injury but you know it this just didn’t make sense to me the numbers

just didn’t make sense to me the numbers

just didn’t make sense to me the numbers really didn’t work out when these cells

really didn’t work out when these cells

really didn’t work out when these cells were being infused intravenously 99% of

were being infused intravenously 99% of

were being infused intravenously 99% of them were were disappearing

them were were disappearing

them were were disappearing they were vanished they were ultimately

they were vanished they were ultimately

they were vanished they were ultimately getting destroyed in the blood

getting destroyed in the blood

getting destroyed in the blood circulation and so very few cells

circulation and so very few cells

circulation and so very few cells actually made it to a target organ and

actually made it to a target organ and

actually made it to a target organ and to me it seemed insufficient to change

to me it seemed insufficient to change

to me it seemed insufficient to change really the physiology of that organ let

really the physiology of that organ let

really the physiology of that organ let alone the entire human body and so I

alone the entire human body and so I

alone the entire human body and so I thought about the fundamental assumption

thought about the fundamental assumption

thought about the fundamental assumption do these cells actually need to be in

do these cells actually need to be in

do these cells actually need to be in the human body at all and we conducted

the human body at all and we conducted

the human body at all and we conducted some proof-of-concept experiments where

some proof-of-concept experiments where

some proof-of-concept experiments where we took these cells cultured in a dish

we took these cells cultured in a dish

we took these cells cultured in a dish and collected the molecules these cells

and collected the molecules these cells

and collected the molecules these cells produced and injected molecules instead

produced and injected molecules instead

produced and injected molecules instead into an animal undergoing severe

into an animal undergoing severe

into an animal undergoing severe inflammation and lo and behold we

inflammation and lo and behold we

inflammation and lo and behold we reproduce the same therapeutic benefits

reproduce the same therapeutic benefits

reproduce the same therapeutic benefits without the cells ever actually being

without the cells ever actually being

without the cells ever actually being engrafted at all and so we proved this

engrafted at all and so we proved this

engrafted at all and so we proved this concept that the mechanism of action of

concept that the mechanism of action of

concept that the mechanism of action of this cell was not necessarily

this cell was not necessarily

this cell was not necessarily Peregrine’s cell communication it was

Peregrine’s cell communication it was

Peregrine’s cell communication it was more endocrine when these cells were

more endocrine when these cells were

more endocrine when these cells were being administered intravenously they

being administered intravenously they

being administered intravenously they were giving a short burst of molecules

were giving a short burst of molecules

were giving a short burst of molecules and it’s really these molecules that

and it’s really these molecules that

and it’s really these molecules that were causing the physiological changes

were causing the physiological changes

were causing the physiological changes that we’re seeing improved that was the

that we’re seeing improved that was the

that we’re seeing improved that was the therapeutic hypothesis the hypothesis

therapeutic hypothesis the hypothesis

therapeutic hypothesis the hypothesis that really set me in a very different

that really set me in a very different

that really set me in a very different direction about how to develop this cell

direction about how to develop this cell

direction about how to develop this cell therapy so when we solved one problem

therapy so when we solved one problem

therapy so when we solved one problem just like any good problem that solved

just like any good problem that solved

just like any good problem that solved another three emerge so the question was

another three emerge so the question was

another three emerge so the question was really about if these cells are

really about if these cells are

really about if these cells are secreting things and trying to

secreting things and trying to

secreting things and trying to communicate to the body to really

communicate to the body to really

communicate to the body to really correct and bring back balance how do we

correct and bring back balance how do we

correct and bring back balance how do we scale something like this this is a very

scale something like this this is a very

scale something like this this is a very different type of mechanism it’s not

different type of mechanism it’s not

different type of mechanism it’s not just a small molecule that you can

just a small molecule that you can

just a small molecule that you can orally administer there’s only a few

orally administer there’s only a few

orally administer there’s only a few routes of administration to get cells

routes of administration to get cells

routes of administration to get cells into the human body

into the human body

into the human body and we knew that intravenous

and we knew that intravenous

and we knew that intravenous administration wasn’t going to get us

administration wasn’t going to get us

administration wasn’t going to get us there and so we were we were stuck in

there and so we were we were stuck in

there and so we were we were stuck in terms of how to get this therapy engaged

terms of how to get this therapy engaged

terms of how to get this therapy engaged and interacting with the human body and

and interacting with the human body and

and interacting with the human body and particularly the human bloodstream at

particularly the human bloodstream at

particularly the human bloodstream at the scales that we needed to and so when

the scales that we needed to and so when

the scales that we needed to and so when we looked around at all the different

we looked around at all the different

we looked around at all the different routes of administration none really met

routes of administration none really met

routes of administration none really met our criteria and so we had to think

our criteria and so we had to think

our criteria and so we had to think outside of the box in fact we actually

outside of the box in fact we actually

outside of the box in fact we actually ended up thinking outside of the body so

ended up thinking outside of the body so

ended up thinking outside of the body so this is the technology that we developed

this is the technology that we developed

this is the technology that we developed it’s an extra corporeal cell therapy and

it’s an extra corporeal cell therapy and

it’s an extra corporeal cell therapy and what we fundamentally did was we flipped

what we fundamentally did was we flipped

what we fundamentally did was we flipped the problem around instead of bringing

the problem around instead of bringing

the problem around instead of bringing cells to the bloodstream we’re bringing

cells to the bloodstream we’re bringing

cells to the bloodstream we’re bringing blood to these cells housed in a

blood to these cells housed in a

blood to these cells housed in a biomedical device so what that means in

biomedical device so what that means in

biomedical device so what that means in terms of what a patient experiences is

terms of what a patient experiences is

terms of what a patient experiences is we’ve changed this from an intravenous

we’ve changed this from an intravenous

we’ve changed this from an intravenous drip infusion to a dialysis like

drip infusion to a dialysis like

drip infusion to a dialysis like procedure and this fundamentally makes

procedure and this fundamentally makes

procedure and this fundamentally makes all the difference in terms of dosing so

all the difference in terms of dosing so

all the difference in terms of dosing so as engineers we love widgets this is my

as engineers we love widgets this is my

as engineers we love widgets this is my widget and I’m going to show you what’s

widget and I’m going to show you what’s

widget and I’m going to show you what’s inside of this widget that where’s all

inside of this widget that where’s all

inside of this widget that where’s all where all the magic is is happening but

where all the magic is is happening but

where all the magic is is happening but in order to really advance this science

in order to really advance this science

in order to really advance this science from a prototype stage that took place

from a prototype stage that took place

from a prototype stage that took place in academic lab we had to build a

in academic lab we had to build a

in academic lab we had to build a company we had to build a team around

company we had to build a team around

company we had to build a team around this and that team is found in Lexington

this and that team is found in Lexington

this and that team is found in Lexington Massachusetts right here now working

Massachusetts right here now working

Massachusetts right here now working very hard at actually learning how to

very hard at actually learning how to

very hard at actually learning how to manufacture this product distribute it

manufacture this product distribute it

manufacture this product distribute it all around the country and eventually

all around the country and eventually

all around the country and eventually the world if there’s success at the end

the world if there’s success at the end

the world if there’s success at the end of the road so Centene is the name of

of the road so Centene is the name of

of the road so Centene is the name of that company and its really a tremendous

that company and its really a tremendous

that company and its really a tremendous team of hard-working individuals that

team of hard-working individuals that

team of hard-working individuals that are really moving this forward now so

are really moving this forward now so

are really moving this forward now so let’s look inside of this widget what’s

let’s look inside of this widget what’s

let’s look inside of this widget what’s happening well blood is flowing through

happening well blood is flowing through

happening well blood is flowing through this device and then coming back to the

this device and then coming back to the

this device and then coming back to the patient in a circulate in a circulatory

patient in a circulate in a circulatory

patient in a circulate in a circulatory manner and blood cells are travelling

manner and blood cells are travelling

manner and blood cells are travelling through all of these thousands of fibers

through all of these thousands of fibers

through all of these thousands of fibers that are within this device these are

that are within this device these are

that are within this device these are hollow fibers so the blood cells are

hollow fibers so the blood cells are

hollow fibers so the blood cells are traveling through them and we put em s

traveling through them and we put em s

traveling through them and we put em s es on the other side of these fibers so

es on the other side of these fibers so

es on the other side of these fibers so the MS CS are separated from blood by a

the MS CS are separated from blood by a

the MS CS are separated from blood by a membrane and we have

membrane and we have

membrane and we have effectively have given these cells which

effectively have given these cells which

effectively have given these cells which were whispering by an intravenous

were whispering by an intravenous

were whispering by an intravenous administration route we’ve now given

administration route we’ve now given

administration route we’ve now given them a bullhorn and a pedestal so that

them a bullhorn and a pedestal so that

them a bullhorn and a pedestal so that they can speak to the human bloodstream

they can speak to the human bloodstream

they can speak to the human bloodstream in a really durable way what’s nice

in a really durable way what’s nice

in a really durable way what’s nice about this from an engineering

about this from an engineering

about this from an engineering standpoint is now we have full control

standpoint is now we have full control

standpoint is now we have full control of the number of cells that are

of the number of cells that are

of the number of cells that are interacting with the human blood

interacting with the human blood

interacting with the human blood bloodstream as well as the duration of

bloodstream as well as the duration of

bloodstream as well as the duration of therapy we can turn this on and off at

therapy we can turn this on and off at

therapy we can turn this on and off at any point as we like and so it really

any point as we like and so it really

any point as we like and so it really puts the control back in physicians

puts the control back in physicians

puts the control back in physicians hands to find ways to administer to the

hands to find ways to administer to the

hands to find ways to administer to the right disease at the right time so as

right disease at the right time so as

right disease at the right time so as blood is flowing through MS ESR

blood is flowing through MS ESR

blood is flowing through MS ESR secreting these molecules and it’s kind

secreting these molecules and it’s kind

secreting these molecules and it’s kind of like a blood carwash if you think

of like a blood carwash if you think

of like a blood carwash if you think about it where we’re trying to cleanse

about it where we’re trying to cleanse

about it where we’re trying to cleanse and recondition and reprogram blood

and recondition and reprogram blood

and recondition and reprogram blood cells as they continuously flow through

cells as they continuously flow through

cells as they continuously flow through this device in these hollow fibers this

this device in these hollow fibers this

this device in these hollow fibers this looks like a one-way conversation but in

looks like a one-way conversation but in

looks like a one-way conversation but in fact it’s actually a two-way

fact it’s actually a two-way

fact it’s actually a two-way conversation and this is where we

conversation and this is where we

conversation and this is where we leverage the advantage of cells in their

leverage the advantage of cells in their

leverage the advantage of cells in their ability to actually sense & react

ability to actually sense & react

ability to actually sense & react dynamically to their environment so each

dynamically to their environment so each

dynamically to their environment so each one of us when injured will all react

one of us when injured will all react

one of us when injured will all react differently they’re all be ranges in

differently they’re all be ranges in

differently they’re all be ranges in different heterogeneity that are found

different heterogeneity that are found

different heterogeneity that are found in all of individuals in terms of how

in all of individuals in terms of how

in all of individuals in terms of how they deal with conditions and so in

they deal with conditions and so in

they deal with conditions and so in order to manage that heterogeneity we’re

order to manage that heterogeneity we’re

order to manage that heterogeneity we’re leveraging mother nature’s sensing

leveraging mother nature’s sensing

leveraging mother nature’s sensing capabilities these cells have the

capabilities these cells have the

capabilities these cells have the ability to actually respond in kind in a

ability to actually respond in kind in a

ability to actually respond in kind in a time scale that’s relevant during this

time scale that’s relevant during this

time scale that’s relevant during this treatment to help really sense the

treatment to help really sense the

treatment to help really sense the inflammatory environment of that subject

inflammatory environment of that subject

inflammatory environment of that subject and secrete things in a tailored way to

and secrete things in a tailored way to

and secrete things in a tailored way to each individual so this is what’s inside

each individual so this is what’s inside

each individual so this is what’s inside the black box we’ve been testing this

the black box we’ve been testing this

the black box we’ve been testing this black box for for quite some time and I

black box for for quite some time and I

black box for for quite some time and I want to show you some of the more latest

want to show you some of the more latest

want to show you some of the more latest results this is through sentence

results this is through sentence

results this is through sentence hardwork we learned how to take a small

hardwork we learned how to take a small

hardwork we learned how to take a small prototype manufacturer to a large one

prototype manufacturer to a large one

prototype manufacturer to a large one and test it in large animals and this is

and test it in large animals and this is

and test it in large animals and this is some of our early efficacy data where we

some of our early efficacy data where we

some of our early efficacy data where we took animals that were sick we treated

took animals that were sick we treated

took animals that were sick we treated them continuously for 12 hours with a

them continuously for 12 hours with a

them continuously for 12 hours with a cellular device or an acellular devices

cellular device or an acellular devices

cellular device or an acellular devices of control and we start to save some of

of control and we start to save some of

of control and we start to save some of these animals lives

these animals lives

these animals lives this gave us

this gave us

this gave us as a team tremendous confidence to move

as a team tremendous confidence to move

as a team tremendous confidence to move forward into human trials and I’m really

forward into human trials and I’m really

forward into human trials and I’m really excited to say that those trials have

excited to say that those trials have

excited to say that those trials have already begun we are up and down the

already begun we are up and down the

already begun we are up and down the eastern seaboard treating patients

eastern seaboard treating patients

eastern seaboard treating patients during our first phase one B to a human

during our first phase one B to a human

during our first phase one B to a human trial looking at both the safety of this

trial looking at both the safety of this

trial looking at both the safety of this product as well as the efficacy in

product as well as the efficacy in

product as well as the efficacy in patients with kidney injury these

patients with kidney injury these

patients with kidney injury these patients already get continuous dialysis

patients already get continuous dialysis

patients already get continuous dialysis the challenges their outcomes are very

the challenges their outcomes are very

the challenges their outcomes are very poor about 50% of them die from this

poor about 50% of them die from this

poor about 50% of them die from this condition and we’re hoping to make

condition and we’re hoping to make

condition and we’re hoping to make improvements on their outcomes in this

improvements on their outcomes in this

improvements on their outcomes in this early study and certainly there’s going

early study and certainly there’s going

early study and certainly there’s going to be plenty more to follow as well as

to be plenty more to follow as well as

to be plenty more to follow as well as expansion into other areas of injury

expansion into other areas of injury

expansion into other areas of injury where this therapy could benefit this is

where this therapy could benefit this is

where this therapy could benefit this is a large operation it’s taking place all

a large operation it’s taking place all

a large operation it’s taking place all around the country and a lot of

around the country and a lot of

around the country and a lot of individuals have come together to really

individuals have come together to really

individuals have come together to really see this idea through and we’re really

see this idea through and we’re really

see this idea through and we’re really excited to see the results next year

excited to see the results next year

excited to see the results next year when they come out myself sentian these

when they come out myself sentian these

when they come out myself sentian these researchers are not the only ones who

researchers are not the only ones who

researchers are not the only ones who are playing around with cells and I

are playing around with cells and I

are playing around with cells and I wanted to broaden the conversation to

wanted to broaden the conversation to

wanted to broaden the conversation to include an emerging class of medicine

include an emerging class of medicine

include an emerging class of medicine which are cellular medicines that I

which are cellular medicines that I

which are cellular medicines that I think we’ll see a lot more over the next

think we’ll see a lot more over the next

think we’ll see a lot more over the next decade or two the US fda has recognized

decade or two the US fda has recognized

decade or two the US fda has recognized cellular medicines as regenerative

cellular medicines as regenerative

cellular medicines as regenerative medicines and has actually sped up the

medicines and has actually sped up the

medicines and has actually sped up the process to review and approve new

process to review and approve new

process to review and approve new regenerative medicine technologies more

regenerative medicine technologies more

regenerative medicine technologies more recently in the past year one thing to

recently in the past year one thing to

recently in the past year one thing to bring to the attention is that this

bring to the attention is that this

bring to the attention is that this month came the first approval of a

month came the first approval of a

month came the first approval of a t-cell therapy that was engineered to

t-cell therapy that was engineered to

t-cell therapy that was engineered to actually attack and fight against one’s

actually attack and fight against one’s

actually attack and fight against one’s own cancer cells Novartis led this

own cancer cells Novartis led this

own cancer cells Novartis led this effort and they just won approval for

effort and they just won approval for

effort and they just won approval for the use of these engineer T cells for

the use of these engineer T cells for

the use of these engineer T cells for the treatment of leukemia where they’re

the treatment of leukemia where they’re

the treatment of leukemia where they’re seeing about 90% cures in a case where

seeing about 90% cures in a case where

seeing about 90% cures in a case where with if left untreated there’s about 10%

with if left untreated there’s about 10%

with if left untreated there’s about 10% folks who survived after five years so

folks who survived after five years so

folks who survived after five years so at this point I’ve talked to you about

at this point I’ve talked to you about

at this point I’ve talked to you about the what I’ve talked to you about the

the what I’ve talked to you about the

the what I’ve talked to you about the how why did this start in the first

how why did this start in the first

how why did this start in the first place and it’s really the last form of

place and it’s really the last form of

place and it’s really the last form of cellular communication that I wanted to

cellular communication that I wanted to

cellular communication that I wanted to get across and that’s a form

get across and that’s a form

get across and that’s a form self communication this is called

self communication this is called

self communication this is called autocrine signaling this is where a cell

autocrine signaling this is where a cell

autocrine signaling this is where a cell secretes something and actually senses

secretes something and actually senses

secretes something and actually senses itself

itself

itself and I want to talk about this because

and I want to talk about this because

and I want to talk about this because this work started over 10 years ago at a

this work started over 10 years ago at a

this work started over 10 years ago at a moment where I was pretty torn about

moment where I was pretty torn about

moment where I was pretty torn about what I was going to do for my career I

what I was going to do for my career I

what I was going to do for my career I was training in medicine and in

was training in medicine and in

was training in medicine and in engineering destined to go into my third

engineering destined to go into my third

engineering destined to go into my third year of medicine and right before that I

year of medicine and right before that I

year of medicine and right before that I found myself in India as part of an

found myself in India as part of an

found myself in India as part of an observer ship I was acting as a

observer ship I was acting as a

observer ship I was acting as a third-year medical student observing

third-year medical student observing

third-year medical student observing this the healthcare system in this

this the healthcare system in this

this the healthcare system in this country and during that period of time I

country and during that period of time I

country and during that period of time I got to give research talks and at one

got to give research talks and at one

got to give research talks and at one place in particular the Christian

place in particular the Christian

place in particular the Christian medical college in south of India gave a

medical college in south of India gave a

medical college in south of India gave a talk and it really changed the way that

talk and it really changed the way that

talk and it really changed the way that I was thinking about my work and so

I was thinking about my work and so

I was thinking about my work and so after presenting my research a doctor

after presenting my research a doctor

after presenting my research a doctor came to me and said well it’s really

came to me and said well it’s really

came to me and said well it’s really exciting you know this prototype looks

exciting you know this prototype looks

exciting you know this prototype looks really cool what are you doing with it

really cool what are you doing with it

really cool what are you doing with it are you gonna bring it forward and

are you gonna bring it forward and

are you gonna bring it forward and advance it and you know I said no I’m

advance it and you know I said no I’m

advance it and you know I said no I’m probably not I’m gonna go to medical

probably not I’m gonna go to medical

probably not I’m gonna go to medical school and you know finish my training

school and you know finish my training

school and you know finish my training and and you know I think I’ll work on a

and and you know I think I’ll work on a

and and you know I think I’ll work on a new project at some point and so he took

new project at some point and so he took

new project at some point and so he took me aside he brought me to the neonatal

me aside he brought me to the neonatal

me aside he brought me to the neonatal intensive care unit of this hospital and

intensive care unit of this hospital and

intensive care unit of this hospital and he showed me a baby boy that had just

he showed me a baby boy that had just

he showed me a baby boy that had just been born and lost his mom

been born and lost his mom

been born and lost his mom due to the pregnancy due to liver

due to the pregnancy due to liver

due to the pregnancy due to liver disease something that I was working on

disease something that I was working on

disease something that I was working on and it was a time where he said to me

and it was a time where he said to me

and it was a time where he said to me and it was it was a hard thing to hear

and it was it was a hard thing to hear

and it was it was a hard thing to hear but that if I had been thinking more

but that if I had been thinking more

but that if I had been thinking more deeply about this and really trying to

deeply about this and really trying to

deeply about this and really trying to push myself to challenge myself to see

push myself to challenge myself to see

push myself to challenge myself to see how far I could take maybe someday a kid

how far I could take maybe someday a kid

how far I could take maybe someday a kid like this wouldn’t be an orphan and I

like this wouldn’t be an orphan and I

like this wouldn’t be an orphan and I tell you what that message burned a hole

tell you what that message burned a hole

tell you what that message burned a hole in my soul and it’s with me here today

in my soul and it’s with me here today

in my soul and it’s with me here today it’s in every single researcher that

it’s in every single researcher that

it’s in every single researcher that works alongside of me and I think it’s

works alongside of me and I think it’s

works alongside of me and I think it’s the motivation and really the energy

the motivation and really the energy

the motivation and really the energy that we’ve been bringing to this work

that we’ve been bringing to this work

that we’ve been bringing to this work for so many years so we’ve been trying

for so many years so we’ve been trying

for so many years so we’ve been trying to make science come alive with these

to make science come alive with these

to make science come alive with these types of innovations in these types of

types of innovations in these types of

types of innovations in these types of medical products and there is actually

medical products and there is actually

medical products and there is actually other ways to bring science to life and

other ways to bring science to life and

other ways to bring science to life and we’ve been actually toying around with a

we’ve been actually toying around with a

we’ve been actually toying around with a new one which is a science fiction

new one which is a science fiction

new one which is a science fiction novel that’s gonna be coming out it’s

novel that’s gonna be coming out it’s

novel that’s gonna be coming out it’s going to talk about cells it’s going to

going to talk about cells it’s going to

going to talk about cells it’s going to talk about genetics and hopefully is

talk about genetics and hopefully is

talk about genetics and hopefully is going to stimulate some excitement among

going to stimulate some excitement among

going to stimulate some excitement among among the next generation of our youth

among the next generation of our youth

among the next generation of our youth to get involved in science and help come

to get involved in science and help come

to get involved in science and help come up with the the next innovations so with

up with the the next innovations so with

up with the the next innovations so with that in cumulative all of my cells I

that in cumulative all of my cells I

that in cumulative all of my cells I wanted to just say thank you very much

wanted to just say thank you very much

wanted to just say thank you very much and

”

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