Stem Cells & Genomics for Precision Medicine

Joseph Wu, MD, PhD, Director of Stanford Cardiovascular Institute and Simon H. Stertzer, MD, Professor of Medicine and Radiology at Stanford University

Abstract: Recent technological advancements in multi-omics, CRISPR genome editing, and human induced pluripotent stem cells have enabled the implementation of precision medicine on an individual patient level. Here I will discuss recent advances in these technologies and how they may be used for elucidating mechanisms of cardiovascular diseases, for understanding chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, and for implementing “clinical trial in a dish” concept.

Tissue Engineered Heart Valves: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going

John Mayer, Jr., MD, Senior Associate in Cardiac Surgery at Boston Children’s Hospital and Professor of Surgery at Harvard Medical School

Abstract: Investigations directed toward the development of a “tissue-engineered” heart valve began over 20 years ago. The initial concept was to create tissue engineered valve constructs based on biodegradable scaffolds combined with autologous cells, with the hopeful expectation that these living structures would prove to be durable and capable of growth. Early results in animals were promising, but scaling up for clinical application proved difficult. The field has evolved in several directions, and there are now initial clinical trials of acellular scaffolds as vascular conduits with the expectation that the host will repopulate these scaffolds. The history and current status of the field will be the topic of discussion.