Backgrounders

Let's Talk the Future of Medicine Resources

Shown are a collection of faces of people working in healthcare
Shown are a collection of faces of people working in healthcare
Biology,  Science,  Technology & Engineering

Discover a set of resources designed to get you thinking about the future of medicine

From lab to bedside and beyond, medicine will look very different in the coming decades. What is the role of technology, data, and ethics in shaping the future of health care? Join us to inform prospective health care workers about what changes await them in care and delivery and to educate youth on the many career paths in the health sector.

Medicine and Biology:

Human lungs with scientists inside

Just Breathe: Lungs and Asthma

Learn about asthma and what scientists are doing to study it.

X-ray image of head in hands

Stress and the Brain

Stress is more than a feeling. Understanding the importance of stress can help you to manage it. It can even lead to an improvement in your mood and how you think!

Finger with a drop of blood

The Immune Response

When you cut your finger, your immune system kicks in to protect you from pathogens.

Hand with screwdriver “repairing” DNA

DNA Damage and Repair

This backgrounder explains the different ways that cells repair damage to DNA.

An artist’s rendition of a bacteriophage

Phages vs. Antibiotics

Many doctors prescribe antibiotics to cure infections. But should they be prescribing viruses instead?

Human kidney cross-section

Osmosis and Its Role in Human Biology and Health

Learn how and where osmosis takes place in the digestive system and excretory system and the role of osmosis in kidney dialysis.

Medicine on the Cutting Edge of Research:

Scientist looking through a microscope

Where Do New Medicines Come From?

Learn how new medicines are developed and tested in Canada.

Infant receiving a vaccination

Immunity and Vaccination

Learn about the history of vaccines and how vaccines trigger an immune response that keep us from getting some dangerous diseases.

Human organs for transplantation

Organ Transplantation

Learn about organ transplantation - what it is, how it can save lives, how your immune system responds, and how the matching process works.

Medical staff distributing COVID-19 vaccines

What’s Special About the New COVID-19 Vaccines?

Learn about viruses, vaccines and why the new COVID-19 vaccines are innovative.

Medical supplies and Canada flag

Creating a Vaccine for COVID-19 in Canada

Learn how vaccines are developed, how they work and how some scientists in Canada are researching vaccines for COVID-19.

A 3D-rendered illustration of stem cells

My Stem Cell Donation Story

In April 2016, Let’s Talk Science volunteer Daniel Tarade donated stem cells to help a person who needed a stem cell transplant to survive. Learn what stem cells are, how and why people donate, and what Daniel’s experience was like.

Medical Technology:

Ultrasound treatment on knee

Ultrasonography

Learn about the history, function, uses, benefits and risks of Ultrasonography as a medical imaging technology.

hermographic image a woman’s head and neck

Thermal Imaging

Learn about uses of thermal imaging as a medical imaging technology.

dental x-ray

Radiography & X-ray Imaging

Learn about radiography and x-rays as a form of medical imaging technology.

Ophthalmic imaging equipment

Ophthalmic Imaging

Learn about the history, function, uses, benefits and risks of ophthalmic imaging as a medical imaging technology.

Colour-enhanced MRI of brain and eyes

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Learn about the history, function, uses, benefits and risks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) as a medical imaging technology.

Patient about to enter a CT scanner

Computed Tomography

Learn about the history, function, uses, benefits and risks of computed tomography (CT) as a medical imaging technology.

Careers: