Your Drugs are Average
14,378 views |
Cinzia Silvestri |
TEDxGhent
• December 2020
We are all different in unique ways, yet most modern treatments ignore individuals’ genetic variations. People from different ethnicities, gender, ages are often limited to take drugs based on a genetic set that is entirely different from their own. What if we could have the perfect medicine for each person? Unfortunately, biologists are missing accurate tools to handle that diversity. In Bi/ond, we create that tool. As a microelectronics engineer, that tool couldn’t be different than what I was used to -a computer chip - where biologists can insert patient tissues. Those tissues are nourished, stimulated, and monitored by the chip, like in the human body. In this environment, it will be possible to test drugs on your cells, making sure they have the desired effect on you. Our technology is part of a sophisticated innovation chain that includes advanced stem-cell technology and big data processing automation technologies. But innovation is just a component. If we want to bring diversity, inclusion, and equity in healthcare, we will need policymakers, researchers, patients, entrepreneurs, investors to join this revolution.