2024 Kafatos Lecture

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Article: 2024 Kafatos Lecture Announcement

Article: Interview with Hans, September 2024

See Photo Gallery below

All images: Vincenzo Lullo/EMBL

Programme

Information for participants

Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences in Amsterdam (KNAW)

www.knaw.nl

Kloveniersburgwal 29
1011 JV Amsterdam Netherlands

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About

Hans Clevers

Hans Clevers has made transformational contributions to medical research through his pioneering work in the field of organoids—miniature, 3D structures grown in the lab that closely resemble real human organs, such as the intestine, liver, or brain. His groundbreaking research has opened new avenues for understanding human biology and disease.

Clevers’ breakthrough came when he discovered a way to grow intestinal stem cells outside the body and coax them to form “mini-guts”—organoids that replicate the structure and function of the human intestine. This major advance has allowed researchers to study human tissues in a dish, rather than relying on animal models or limited human samples. This has significant implications for safe and humane testing of new drugs and personalised medicine approaches, where organoids are grown from a patient’s own cells.

In addition to his academic work, Clevers has co-founded several successful spin-off companies. The application of organoid technology for drug development and personalised medicine is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years, as their potential to address pressing medical needs appears ever-expanding.

Hans’s Lecture

Organoids: Avatars of human organs in health and disease

In EMBL’s third annual Kafatos Lecture, Hans Clevers shared the fascinating story of his influential life’s work using striking visual aids. His talk explored the development and potential of organoids and explained how his research revolutionised the study of human tissues in health and disease.

Clevers’ lecture delved into the applications of organoids in drug testing and personalised medicine, showcasing their ability to provide safe, humane testing methods and tailored treatments. Drawing on his career in both research and industry, Clevers highlighted the extraordinary creativity and dedication that have driven the work of the students, technicians and postdocs in his research lab. Attendees and viewers gained insights into how organoids are used to study and develop treatments for diseases like cancer in realistic settings, opening up new frontiers in biomedicine.

This free-to-access lecture offered an excellent opportunity to learn about Hans Clevers’ pioneering work on organoids from the researcher himself, delivered in an accessible and engaging style.

“It is both a great honour and a pleasure to be invited as the speaker for EMBL’s esteemed Kafatos Lecture this year. Public lectures hold a special place in my heart, offering scientists like me an extraordinary opportunity to effectively communicate our research and scientific knowledge to a wider audience. I firmly believe that as scientists, it is our duty to extend our role beyond academic and industry circles and share our findings with the public, fostering engagement and dialogue. Through this, we not only enhance public understanding of scientific progress but also reveal its profound relevance to everyday life. My aspiration is to ignite curiosity and inspiration in young minds, propelling them towards a future in science. I want to show them how exciting and important scientific research can be. By sharing my own discoveries and findings, I hope to spark that flame of interest and motivate them to pursue their own scientific journeys.”

The Kafatos Lectures

The Kafatos Lectures aim to bring groundbreaking and relevant life sciences research to the worldwide public, making it accessible and highlighting its day-to-day societal impact. Whether you’re a high school student, a world-class scientist or someone with a non-scientific background, this lecture is tailored for you. The only requirements are enthusiasm and curiosity.