Media
Stephanie Willerth - Engineering reproducible neural tissue from pluripotent stem cells
Watch on LabRoots at: http://labroots.com/user/webinars/details/id/206 The Willerth lab investigates how to engineer neural tissue by combining pluripotent stem cells, controlled drug delivery and biomaterial scaffolds. When generating these replacement tissues, we use both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells as these cells can become any cell type found in the body, including those cells found in the nervous system. Our recent projects have used human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), which are adult cells reprogrammed back into an embryonic stem cell-like state, leading to the possibility of generating patient specific pluripotent stem cell lines with a reduced risk of immune rejection post transplantation. Recent work suggests that these hiPSC lines show a decreased risk of tumor formation compared to traditional embryonic stem cells, further enhancing their clinical relevance. To generate neural tissue, we seed these cells into different types of drug releasing scaffolds. These novel biomaterial scaffolds direct the stem cells to form functional neural tissue by delivering appropriate chemical and physical signals. Once we fully understand how to engineer neural tissue from stem cells, we can then apply these principles to produce other tissues found in the body.
Faces of UVic Research: Stephanie Willerth
Dr. Stephanie Willerth is a biomedical engineer and a professor at the University of Victoria. In this video she explains her research on embryonic stem cells, studying their behavior to learn how to create replacement organs for those that are diseased and damaged. She also describes the excitement of the students she teaches. If you are experiencing problems with the audio in this video, go to http://youtu.be/b42bBJUFEmM. Learn more at http://www.uvic.ca/research Watch more profiles: http://bit.ly/uvicresearchprofiles University of Victoria: http://www.uvic.ca/ University of Victoria's Channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/UVic
Engineering neural tissue from stem cells
by Dr. Stephanie Willerth
Academic Press
July 8, 2017
9780128113851
Engineering Neural Tissue from Stem Cells covers the basic knowledge needed to understand the nervous system and how existing cells can be used to create neural tissue. This book presents a broad range of topics related to the design requirements for engineering neural tissue from stem cells. It begins with the anatomy and function of the central and peripheral nervous system, also covering stem cells, their relation to the nervous system and their function in recovery after injury or disease. In addition, the book explores the role of the extracellular matrix and vasculature/immune system and biomaterials, including their suitability for neural tissue engineering applications.
Biography
Dr. Willerth holds a Canada Research Chair in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Victoria where she holds dual appointments in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and the Division of Medical Sciences as an Associate Professor. Her honors include being a 2015 Young Innovator in Cellular and Biological Engineering and being named a "Star in Global Health" by Grand Challenges Canada in 2014. She spent Fall 2016 on sabbatical at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery supported by the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries International Travel Award.
Recognition/Reconnaissance
Woman of Innovation | Professional
Selected by the Metallurgy and Materials Society of CIM as one of their Women of Innovation: The Influence of Leading Canadian Female Engineers. My biography will be featured as part of a published book.
Women Bringing Technology to Medicine | Professional
I was selected by the Ontario Chair for Women in Science and Engineering to participate in their Inspire: Women Bringing Technology to Medicine feature on their website site.
Young Innovator in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering | Professional
I was named a Young Innovator in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering by the Biomedical Engineering Society and I was the only researcher at a Canadian University to receive this prestigious honor.
University of Victoria – Faculty of Engineering Award for Excellence in Teaching | Professional
I won the teaching award for my faculty.
ICORD International Travel Award | Professional
I received an international travel award from the International Collaboration on Repair Discoveries to support my sabbatical during the Fall of 2016 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
American Association for Clinical Chemistry – Outstanding Speaker Award | Professional
I was honored by the American Association for Clinical Chemistry based their member's evaluation of one my research presentations.