Science in the City - Health Futures

Annemarie Dedek

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain affects millions of people and can greatly reduce quality of life, yet the biological reasons behind it are still not fully understood. Unlike short-term pain, which alerts us to injury, chronic pain can continue long after tissues have healed. In this talk, I will explore how my lab is using new translational approaches that connect discoveries made in the laboratory to real-world health challenges in order to better understand how pain develops and persists. I will also highlight the importance of studying pain in both females and males, as biological differences can influence how pain is regulated. By integrating innovative tools from neuroscience and molecular biology, we hope to uncover new pathways that could eventually guide the development of more effective and personalized pain treatments.

Juewen Liu

Functional Nucleic Acids & Their Health Science Applications

While DNA is best known for storing genetic information in our bodies and offering greater stability compared to proteins. Functional DNA, such as DNA aptamers, extend its role far beyond heredity. These engineered DNA sequences can fold into precise shapes to bind targets with high specificity, opening exciting applications in health sciences. This talk explores innovative uses of DNA aptamers, including targeted drug delivery to the cornea using sequences that bind corneal tissues for improved ocular therapies; sensitive detection of contaminants like the antibiotic oxytetracycline through fluorescence changes upon binding; and monitoring levels of therapeutic drugs to optimize dosing and efficacy. These advancements highlight how functional nucleic acids are revolutionizing precision medicine, diagnostics, and treatment strategies for the benefit of human health.

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Host or Publisher University of Waterloo, Faculty of Science