Golnaz Karoubi
Dr. Golnaz Karoubi is Assistant Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute and principal investigator in the Latner Thoracic Research Labs. She currently holds an Assistant Professor appointment in the department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and a cross-appointment in the department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. Karoubi received her PhD in Applied Science and Engineering at the University of Toronto and joined the Lung Regenerative Medicine Program in the Department of Clinical Research in Berne University, Switzerland for a post-doctoral research fellowship. She stayed on as a Group Leader in 2008 to direct the basic and transitional science as related to Cancer Stem Cell and Lung Regenerative Medicine in the Department of Biomedical Research at the University of Berne until 2012. In early 2012, she joined the team of Dr. Tom Waddell at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute as a Senior Scientific Associate and was appointed to Assistant Scientist at the Toronto General Hospital Research Institute (University Health Network) in November 2019 and to Assistant Professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology in July 2020.
Her research interests include development of practical approaches for treatment of lung and airway disease. Studies focus on: (1) Lung, tracheal and airway regeneration; (2) Use of pluripotent derived airway epithelial cells for tissue engineering applications; and (3) cell-based therapeutic approaches for end-stage lung disease.
The future application of designer cells and bioengineered tissues in clinical settings holds immense promise for revolutionizing regenerative medicine and transplantation, yet it also confronts significant feasibility challenges. The ability to precisely tailor cells and tissues for therapeutic purposes can have significant impact in transplantation opening avenues for personalized medicine and access to ‘off-the-shelf’ tissues and organs. However, the translation of these cutting-edge technologies from the laboratory to clinical practice requires overcoming formidable hurdles, including safety concerns, ethical considerations, community acceptance and the need for robust regulatory frameworks. Technical challenges such as the scalability and cost-effectiveness of producing designer cells and tissues also present major logistical challenges. As research continues to push the boundaries of synthetic biology and tissue engineering, the ultimate success and integration of designer cells and bioengineered tissues in the medical landscape will require close collaboration from scientists, clinicians, and policymakers; and importantly communication with patient communities, some of whom, will be future recipients of these new therapeutic modalities.
This session is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
Session Chairs:
- Dr. Golnaz Karoubi (Senior Chair) – University Health Network, University of Toronto
- Ms. Aisha Adil (Junior Chair) – University Health Network, University of Toronto
Panelists:
- Dr. Siba Haykal - University Health Network/University of Toronto
- Dr. Ian Rogers – Sinai Health Systems/University of Toronto
- Dr. Braulio Marfil-Garza – University of Alberta
- Mr. Sean Delaney – University of Alberta
Speakers: Siba Haykal, Golnaz Karoubi, Aisha Adil, Braulio Marfil-Garza, Sean Delaney, Ian Rogers
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