Health horizons: exploring the future of medicine

Imagine every cell in our body as a well-protected vault, holding the genetic blueprint that dictates our health and function. But what if we could enhance that blueprint to tackle diseases? For instance, consider a genetic condition where the body contains faulty instructions to produce a crucial protein. Through gene therapy, we could introduce the missing information, enabling the body to correct the condition itself.
Delivering new genes into cells is like trying to send a secret code into a fortress. It's not just about packaging this code – the RNA – in a way that won't raise the body's alarms; it's also about sneaking it past the cell's own tight security, a lipid bilayer that keeps out unwanted intruders. Despite such hurdles, scientists have forged paths to get these therapeutic messages inside.

Currently, the main couriers of this genetic information are engineered viruses, known for their natural ability to get into cells, and lipid nanoparticles, tiny fat-based particles that can meld with the cell's barriers. In my talk, I will introduce a third alternative approach. Drawing on the strengths of both viruses and lipid nanoparticles, my lab's aim is to develop new packaging materials to deliver RNA into cells.Our goal is to advance this technology in the hope of treating diseases that, at present, remain without a cure.

Did you know that proteins, the building blocks of life, are incredibly diverse molecules? Imagine a protein just 100 amino acids long - it can have any of 20 different amino acids at each position. That means there are more possible sequences for this protein than there are atoms in the entire universe!
Now, consider this: despite this vast potential, nature has only explored a tiny fraction of all possible protein sequences over evolutionary time. Moreover, the proteins that do exist in nature aren't necessarily optimized for developing new medicines or technologies. The uncharted territory of unknown proteins holds immense promise for addressing medical needs and finding solutions to challenges in biotechnology and materials science. But how do we navigate this vast space? In my talk, I'll take you on a journey through the fascinating world of AI-driven protein design, showing you how it's reshaping medicine and technology.

Imagine a world where groundbreaking healthcare discoveries lie waiting in the most unassuming places. At my startup, we’re turning the spotlight on one such overlooked treasure: vaginal fluids. This presentation will delve into how we’re harnessing the power of these biofluids to forge new paths in diagnostics and personalized medicine. In the talk we’ll explore the journey of my startup in unlocking the secrets held by vaginal fluids and share the potential impacts of our work on women’s health and beyond.