What attracted Dr. Sonya MacParland to the world of science was the possibility of making a discovery no one else has ever made. It’s exactly what she went on to do – the award-winning scientist at UHN’s Toronto General Hospital Research Institute developed the world’s first transcriptomic map of the liver, triggering a paradigm shift in liver research and therapy.
On this episode of Behind the Breakthrough, Dr. MacParland takes the listener through the intricacies of the only organ in the human body with the ability to regenerate itself - the liver. She explains how she and her team mapped the thousands of cells within it, and why they felt it was integral to keep the research open-access for scientists around the world to use as a guide. Dr. MacParland also dives into the personal side of her success as a scientist, sharing how she deals with the failures and pressures of her work and the role mentorship plays in a successful career.
“Being able to do science and discover together on a daily basis is a gift,” says Dr. MacParland. “The fact that I'm able to do this and work with brilliant students, brilliant scientists and wonderful patients is just so fulfilling.”
Dr. Andrea Furlan on groundbreaking new treatments for chronic pain
Check out UHN’s Krembil Brain Institute podcast, Your Complex Brain
Behind the Breakthrough Special Edition - ”UHN Oral History Project’” with Dr Alan Hudson
Behind the Breakthrough Special Edition - ”UHN Oral History Project” with Dr. Bernie Langer
Dr. Angela Cheung pioneers research on the symptoms and treatment for long hauler Covid patients
Dr. Andres Lozano on investigating DBS to treat Alzheimer’s disease
Dr. Babak Taati on pioneering the use of computer vision to help seniors live safer, healthier lives.
Dr. Joan Wither on searching for the genetic and immune system abnormalities that lead to systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Dr. Gang Zheng on harnessing the promise of nanotechnology for the detection and treatment of cancer
Dr. Jordan Feld on shifting from discovering a pill that cures Hepatitis C to investigating a treatment for mild COVID
Dr. Catherine O’Brien on the world-first discovery that colorectal cancer cells hibernate like bears to evade chemotherapy
Dr. Deepali Kumar on the world first discovery that 3rd dose of COVID Vaccine significantly boosts protection against the coronavirus for transplant patients
Dr. Beate Sander on the economics of infectious diseases and guiding public health policy during the Covid-19 pandemic.
BTB Season 3 Special Edition with Dr. Brad Wouters, UHN EVP of Science and Research
Dr. John Dick on his famous discovery of cancer stem cells, and the puzzle of research
Dr. Mansoor Husain on breakthrough drug for diabetes and heart disease
Dr. Alex Mihailidis on helping us live at home longer
Dr. Ralph DaCosta on a better way to visualize cancer and his serendipitous invention
Dr. Heather Baltzer on pioneering hand trauma treatment.
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast
Museum of the Missing
Strange by Nature Podcast
Sasquatch Chronicles
Hidden Brain