The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation, based in Los Angeles, California, is a multi-disciplinary biomedical research establishment. Focusing on technologies such as microfluidics, organ-on-a-chip, and tissue engineering, researchers at the institute conduct cutting edge scientific research to develop superior, more physiologically relevant disease models and platforms for the testing of new human drugs. Often, their scientists use cells derived from patients in these technologies, to take account of individual, intrahuman biological differences, and with a view to personalized medicine.

I was recently honored to be asked to participate in one of the Institute’s regular Fireside Chats, with its director and CEO, Dr. Ali Khademhosseini. With a little effort, I managed to resist the temptation to do this literally sitting by my fire, largely because it was an unseasonably warm day. Effectively a webinar, I presented the raison d’être of the Center for Contemporary Sciences, along with some of our immediate goals and strategic programs. This was followed by a series of very intelligent and constructive questions from the sixty participants.

My colleagues at CCS and I thank Ali and his colleagues for the invitation and opportunity, for being such a fabulous host during the event, and for all he and the Terasaki Institute is doing. They kindly shared with us a recording of our Fireside Chat, which took place on September 25th, which may be viewed here.