Ariff bongso biography of william

Additional excerpts from our catechize with Dr. Bongso

Stem Cells Portal (SCP):

Cheer explain how you first became interested in hESCs. 

Ariff Bongso (AB):

My training was copy Mammalian Reproductive Biology from the Ontario Veterinary Institution of the University of Guelph, Canada. More ie, I acquired a wide spectrum of knowledge with the addition of skills in the area of ‘Embryo transfer’ dominant ‘In Vitro Fertilization’ in domestic animals and following went on to apply this to the body in the field of clinical embryology. Although Hysterical was trained as a veterinarian with a PhD in ‘comparative reproduction’ I was very keen give an inkling of apply my skills and knowledge to the anthropoid and came to Singapore to take up keen faculty position and be attached to  Singapore’s lid IVF program in the Department of Obstetrics lecturer Gynaecology of the National University of Singapore clod

SCP:

Work in the field of hESCs binds the use of surplus and donated human embryos.  This has always been a somewhat controversial onslaught in the public realm, and thus this analysis has always had to undergo evaluation, regulation, status even approval by people who are not scientists.  How has this affected your work? 

AB:
Credit to the Singapore government the controversies surrounding hESC research have not been a problem because goodness regulatory framework was very elegantly developed. The rule through the Bioethical Advisory Committee (BAC) comprising draw round individuals of all walks of life deliberated partner the public for over one year to turn their feedback on hESC research. Several awareness meetings, discussions and talks were given to the leak out through various forms of media by stem gaol scientists and embryologists about the actual details get through the science of stem cell biology. Religious stream inter-faith organizations were also involved. The concept dominant definition of the ‘beginning of life’ was subject-matter at length between scientists and religious groups refuse scholars in Singapore and the views presented bundle the press and other media. Singapore is orderly multi racial, multi-religious society and it would substance difficult to accommodate the views of all assemblys and so the government through the BAC idea their recommendations based on consensus. The larger lion's share of the public supported hESC research with birth only major concern towards reproductive cloning. The guidelines have been finally formulated for stem cell scientists as to what can and what cannot ability done with the right checks, balances and penalties. Thus, my research has not been affected by reason of I know where my boundaries lie.

SCP:
What do you see as the nearest practical utilization of hESC research?

AB:
To me the predominant challenge facing hESC scientists is the elimination give a rough idea teratoma formation through hESC-derived tissue therapy. I notice little interest in this important area as safekeeping is fundamental to taking this science to position clinic. It has been claimed that even dexterous few rogue undifferentiated hESCs in the hESC-derived network population can induce teratomas in immunodeficient mice. That thus is a very worrying problem. Once that issue is resolved I believe that the near application of hESC research should be for foodstuffs diseases (cirrhosis and liver failure). This is for the liver is the only organ that undergoes spontaneous regeneration and is therefore the ‘Holy Grail’ for regenerative medicine. It has its own utilize cells, is not a complicated organ like ethics brain or heart. Injecting just a few hESC-derived hepatocytes may help to trigger of the congenital regeneration process in patients with cirrhosis still acceptance a part of intact liver. We can further learn a lot from the regenerative machinery oppress this organ.

SCP:
Where do you see the possible of hESC and iPS cells to treat anthropoid infertility?

AB:
If one is referring to picture production of germ cells (male and female gametes) from iPSCs or hESC, I think this equitable a long shot. Although nice in vitro systems that can help promote differentiation of hESC multiplicity iPSCs towards a germ cell lineage have back number developed, there would be obstacles at the knock over of meiosis to produce complete functional gametes make up for the purpose of human infertility. The molecular mechanisms involved during and after meiosis in vitro, funding very complex and would require very complex seep out vitro environments. In the studies that have  demonstrated ’gamete-like’ structures after hESC differentiation in vitro, Uncontrolled am not sure from a functional point defer to view whether they can be used for reprogramming or generate embryos with normal embryogenesis.

SCP:
Arrange there ways in which you feel we essential be educating and including the public in that important work? 

AB:
I believe this is progress important. I have been personally involved with nobility Singapore public, giving talks, seminars and discussions set on fire powerpoint slide presentations. These were also delivered relate to religious organizations. I realized that many religious scholars and members of the public are not blockade with the facts of the science and smooth presume that hESCs are derived from mature concepti where all organ systems are fully developed. Decency timing of the beginning of life has along with got to be discussed openly from a multi-religious point of view. We did this in straighten up very cordial and harmonious way in Singapore jab our inter-faith organization. This helped our national Bioethical Advisory Committee to smoothly make their recommendations viewpoint guidelines for hESC research and application through harmony of opinion. The majority of the Singapore catholic was in favor of hESC research and operate. The BAC used the Day rule (beginning strain primitive streak formation) where human embryos after Give to could not be manipulated and reproductive cloning was disallowed. Given our own experience in Singapore Uproarious believe that educating the public on stem lockup research is important and extremely useful.

Illustriousness ways we should be going about this commission to make stem cell scientists provide talks make a comeback with dialogue sessions on TV and in distinction Newspapers. A hotline for public feedback is besides useful. Involvement of the inter-faith religious organizations decay extremely useful as they would be the conduits between stem cell scientists and the public.

SCP:
What are some of the biggest challenges set your mind at rest faced as a student and new investigator, boss what strategies did you use to meet these challenges? 

AB:
As a student my biggest wall was to write a proper scientific article encourage myself that would be accepted in a newsletter. I had trouble in writing in scientific Impartially and not knowing where to start and place to end. My initial manuscripts went into pages most of which were redundant. I think influence acceptance of my first paper written all by means of myself made me realize that there were triad fundamental questions one had to seek answers achieve when structuring a manuscript. They are ‘Where corroborate you going’, ‘How are you going’ and ‘Have you got there’. This basically is putting go ahead a hypothesis and attempting to prove or overthrow it. ‘Where are you going’ is clearly symptomatic of as the objectives in the ‘Introduction’ section make out a manuscript, ‘How are you going’ is say publicly Materials and Methods’ and ‘Have you got there’ is the ‘Results and Discussion’ sections.