Gene therapy is the future of medicine - here's how | Dr. Nafiseh Nafissi | TEDxToronto

Summary

In this inspiring speech, Nafiseh, a scientist and inventor, shares her personal journey in advancing gene and cell therapy. She highlights the transformative potential of these therapies to cure genetic disorders, cancers, and other illnesses. Drawing from her experiences, she emphasizes the need for increased investment, collaboration, and recognition of local scientific advancements, particularly in Canada. Nafiseh’s story underscores the importance of collective effort in bringing innovative treatments to patients and fostering a future where incurable diseases can be cured. Her message is one of hope, resilience, and a call for action in the field of gene therapy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker, Nafiseh, is a passionate scientist, inventor, and advocate for gene and cell therapy as the future of medicine.
• 😀 Gene and cell therapy has the potential to treat a wide range of conditions, from genetic disorders and cancer to blindness and deafness.
• 😀 Nafiseh’s journey into gene therapy began in 1995 when she was inspired by her brother-in-law, Dr. Zayn-ali, a pioneer in molecular medicine.
• 😀 Nafiseh’s research, in collaboration with Dr. Roderick Slavcev, led to a new approach in gene therapy that promises safer and more effective treatments.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes the significant time investment needed for gene therapies, often taking over a decade to reach patients.
• 😀 Canada plays a crucial role in gene therapy research but currently contributes only 1% to the global efforts, highlighting a need for more investment and resources.
• 😀 Nafiseh stresses the importance of a collective effort from all sectors—government, education, healthcare, and the general public—to advance gene therapy.
• 😀 She urges people to explore clinical trials and new therapies, as they offer hope for curing some of the most devastating disorders.
• 😀 The speaker’s personal resilience, shaped by growing up during Iran’s revolution and the Iran-Iraq war, fuels her determination to drive forward gene therapy advancements.
• 😀 Nafiseh calls for a cultural shift in how we view and support scientific innovations in Canada, particularly in the field of gene therapy.
• 😀 The future of medicine, including gene therapy, is not only about curing diseases but also about inspiring the next generation to pursue scientific innovation.

Q & A

What inspired Nafiseh to pursue a career in science?

Nafiseh was inspired by her brother-in-law, Dr. Zayn-ali, who pioneered molecular medicine in Iran. His stories at family dinners about genetic engineering and its potential to save lives motivated her to explore this field further.

What pivotal moment in 2019 significantly impacted Nafiseh's work?

In 2019, Nafiseh attended an event where patients who had participated in clinical trials for gene and cell therapies shared their stories. These patients, once suffering from rare blood cancers, were now healthy and cancer-free. This moment filled her with joy and reaffirmed her commitment to advancing gene therapy.

How did Nafiseh's early career experiences influence her research direction?

While working at the Pasteur Institute, Nafiseh witnessed the difficult decisions parents had to make due to genetic disorders. This exposure led her to question if genetic disorders could one day be cured, which ultimately drove her to focus on gene and cell therapy as a potential solution.

Why did Nafiseh and her husband move to Canada in 2005?

Nafiseh and her husband moved to Canada to pursue further research opportunities in gene and cell therapy. Canada was seen as a place with the resources and potential for advancing her work, even though the transition was challenging due to language barriers and lack of local support.

How did Nafiseh's doctoral research contribute to the field of gene therapy?

During her PhD at the University of Waterloo, Nafiseh worked closely with Dr. Roderick Slavcev to develop a novel gene therapy platform. This foundational research has the potential to shift the paradigm in gene therapy by providing safer and more effective treatments.

What is the main focus of Nafiseh's company, Mediphage Bioceuticals?

Mediphage Bioceuticals, where Nafiseh joined in 2017, is focused on advancing gene therapy technologies, specifically developing safer and more effective solutions to treat genetic disorders, cancers, and other diseases related to gene mutations.

What does gene therapy aim to do, according to Nafiseh?

Gene therapy aims to fix defective or mutated genes in order to treat or cure various illnesses, including cancer, deafness, blindness, blood disorders, and even conditions like multiple sclerosis and depression.

What challenges does Canada face in advancing gene therapy research?

Despite having some of the world's best scientific minds, Canada only contributes 1% of global gene therapy research. This is due to a lack of resources, investment, and infrastructure, which are needed to bring innovations to clinical stages and ultimately to patients.

What is Nafiseh's call to action regarding gene therapy in Canada?

Nafiseh calls for a collective effort from governments, educators, healthcare professionals, and the public to support gene therapy research and innovation in Canada. She emphasizes the importance of investment in infrastructure and collaboration to bring these groundbreaking therapies to patients.

How does Nafiseh's personal experience with resilience relate to her work in gene therapy?

Having grown up during the Iran-Iraq war and faced numerous challenges, Nafiseh learned the importance of resilience. She applies this mindset to her work in gene therapy, believing that nothing can stop progress if there is sustained dedication and effort, especially in the face of scientific roadblocks.