Biomedical Engineering graduate research seminar with Dr. Mohsen Sharafi from Boviteq
Abstract
The successful preservation, storage, and targeted delivery of reproductive cells remain critical challenges in both agricultural biotechnology and clinical fertility. Despite advances in cryobiology and media formulation, sperm and embryos remain highly sensitive to environmental stressors, temperature fluctuations, and oxidative damage during processing. By engineering biocompatible matrices, it is possible to construct functional microenvironments that protect sperm and embryos from mechanical and biochemical stress. Successful encapsulation requires careful consideration of key material properties, including degradation kinetics and biocompatibility, to prevent cell damage while enabling the controlled and sustained release of viable cells within a dynamic biological environment. In this talk, I will present the research pipeline developed through the collaboration between the University of Waterloo and Semex, a worldwide leader in animal genetics, from biological, fertility, and materials science perspectives.
BME Grad Students: You are required to attend an average of four seminars per term as part of your degree requirements.