Michael
Sefton, Sc.D.
Michael E. Charles Professor of Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry
University Professor, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering
Scientist, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Toronto General Research Institute
University of Toronto
Biography
Michael Sefton is regarded as a pioneer in tissue engineering and a leader in biomaterials, biomedical engineering and regenerative medicine. He was the first to recognize the importance of combining living cells with synthetic polymers to create "artificial" organs and tissues. He was also one of the first in the world that succeeded in micro-encapsulating live cells – with a view to creating an artificial pancreas and other tissues that could then evade the patient's immune system through the barrier properties of the encapsulating membrane. Sefton has published extensively in the world's leading journals and international conference proceedings, and is the holder of several U.S. and international patents.
Title of Abstract
Preparing the Ground for Endogenous Repair
Research Interests
The Sefton lab specializes in biomaterials and tissue engineering with a strong focus on vascularization strategies using modular tissue engineering and therapeutic biomaterials. Crucial factors in regenerative medicine are elucidated through the use of novel polymeric materials, cell transplantation and biological screening. The lab comprises biomedical and chemical engineers, biologists and chemists, which together with collaborators, addresses important biomedical questions.