Ep 3. Anthony Atala on Growing New Organs

In the third episode of the first season of TEDTalks: Rad Invention, host Michael Bodekaer introduces Anthony Atala, a renowned scientist who has dedicated his life's work to growing new organs for transplant. Atala opens his talk by discussing the dire need for organ transplants, which currently outstrips the available supply. He says that the average wait time for patients in need of a transplant is about three to five years, which is far too long for many people.

Atala then goes on to describe the groundbreaking work that his team has been doing at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine. He explains that they are using a process called "tissue engineering," which involves taking cells from a patient's own body and using them to grow new organs outside the body. By doing this, they can create organs that are perfectly matched to the patient's own genetic makeup, which can greatly increase the chances of a successful transplant.

Atala goes on to describe the process of growing new organs in more detail. He shows a video that demonstrates how they start with a small sample of cells and then slowly "train" the cells to form a specific organ. He also explains how they can use different techniques to create different types of organs, including heart valves, bladders, and even reproductive organs.

Throughout his talk, Atala emphasizes the importance of collaboration and the power of scientific breakthroughs to change lives. He also addresses some of the potential ethical issues that arise with this kind of technology, including questions about who has access to it and whether people should be allowed to create customized organs for non-medical reasons.

Overall, Atala's talk is an inspiring look at the cutting-edge science of regenerative medicine, and the potential it has to save countless lives in the years to come. TEDTalks: Rad Invention provides a platform for exciting and innovative ideas, and this episode is no exception. With its focus on growing new organs, this episode is sure to fascinate anyone interested in the future of medicine and the many ways in which technology can help us improve and extend our lives.