On February 20th, Scalpel Society had the honour of welcoming Dr. Shum-Tim to Marianopolis College. A renowned cardiovasculuar surgeon and researcher, Dr. Shum-Tim delivered a thought-provoking seminar on The Tissue Engineering of Cardiovascular Structures, exploring the future of regenerative medicine in cardiology.
Seminar Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with coronary artery disease being the most prevalent. When an artery becomes compromised due to atherosclerosis—the buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances on arterial walls—oxygen delivery to the heart becomes inadequate. This leads to myocardial necrosis, replacing functional heart muscle with non-contractile scar tissue. Traditional coronary revascularization techniques, including Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, percutaneous coronary interventions, and endarterectomy, aim to restore blood flow but do not regenerate damaged myocardium.
Tissue engineering presents a promising alternative, integrating engineering and life sciences to restore cardiac function. Artificial hearts and ventricular assist devices face limitations due to material longevity and thrombogenicity—the tendency of a material in contact with blood to induce clot formation. However, regenerative medicine strategies, such as adipose tissue-derived stem cell therapy and angiogenic factor delivery, have demonstrated the potential to enhance myocardial repair.
In his talk, Dr. Shum-Tim focused on microencapsulation techniques that enable localized stem cell delivery to an infarcted heart area, promoting myocardial regeneration while preventing adverse remodelling. A comparative study examined nanoparticles, placenta-derived growth factors, and a combination of both. The findings revealed that biodegradable nanoparticles carrying placenta-derived growth factors most effectively stimulated angiogenesis, further supporting tissue repair.
Despite advancements, complete myocardial regeneration remains challenging due to human evolutionary constraints. Insights from naturally regenerative species, such as zebrafish and salamanders, provide valuable models for future research. As innovation in stem cell therapy and bioengineered cardiac structures progresses, we may be inching closer to unravelling the secrets of regeneration, perhaps even reclaiming abilities lost through evolution.
Dr. Shum-Tim left us with a profound question: Evolution has equipped us with a strong skull and a protective thoracic cage to safeguard our most vital organs—the heart and the brain. But what about stem cells? They, too, are remarkably well protected. Could this hidden safeguard hint at an untapped potential within us? What might be the true evolutionary significance of stem cells, and just how valuable could they be?
View Pictures Below:
Thank you to everyone who attended!
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