Tonight researchers from RCSI will feature in the second episode of the television series ‘10 Things to Know About...’

In this episode, Dr Garry Duffy and Dr Helena Kelly highlight the AMCARE project which is working on advanced stem cell therapy to help regenerate damaged heart cells after a heart attack. This will be aired at 7.30pm this evening on RTÉ One.

The series is presented by Aoibhinn Ni Shuilleabhain, Kathriona Devereux and Jonathan McCrea, who are investigating some of the most exciting and ground-breaking science projects underway in Ireland. Each episode is themed on a certain scientific topic which gives ten key learnings to viewers on that research area. In tonight's episode, themed on fear, the presenters will look into what the underlying reasons behind our fears and phobias are and examine how we can learn to control them. 

Episode 2 – ‘10 Things to Know About... BodyTech’ 
This episode is titled ‘BodyTech - Six Million Dollar Science?' and features RCSI's Dr Garry Duffy (Department of Anatomy) and Dr Helena Kelly (School of Pharmacy). In their topic, ‘Can stem cells mend a broken heart?’, Jonathon McCrea visits the College to talk to Garry, who is co-ordinating a major EU research project, AMCARE (Advanced Materials for Cardiac Regeneration). 

Jonathon will also meet Helena, who is deputy co-ordinator of the project. As well as developing new materials that will boost the cells' chances of survival, they are designing surgical devices to enable surgeons to deliver stem cells to the patient, and crucially, keep them fixed in the targeted area of a beating heart. 

Speaking ahead of tonight's episode, Dr Garry Duffy said, "I am delighted for the AMCARE project to be part of the show. The regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies we work on in AMCARE, have the potential to revolutionise the treatment of patients who have suffered a heart attack. We want to develop new technologies to enhance stem cell therapies for these patients by increasing targeting and ease of delivery using advanced biomaterials, hence mending broken hearts."