2025 Symposium - Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research

This one-day symposium spotlighted the latest advances in medical research, celebrating groundbreaking discoveries that are revolutionizing healthcare and transforming lives. Our symposium brought together an exceptional group of scientists, visionary researchers, and thought leaders from across the globe to share their insights on cutting-edge developments in medical science. 

Breaking Barriers 2025: Symposium Highlights

Relive the inspiring moments from Breaking Barriers: Trailblazing Innovations in Medical Research, held on September 19, 2025. This one-day symposium brought together world-renowned scientists and visionaries to share groundbreaking discoveries shaping the future of medicine. Watch the highlights to experience the energy, innovation, and collaboration that defined this extraordinary event.

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Geoffrey W. Abbott

Professor of Physiology & Biophysics, University of California, Irvine

 

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Wah Chiu

Wallenberg-Bienenstock Professor, Stanford University

 

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Viviana Gradinaru

Troendle Professor of Neuroscience, Caltech 

 

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Stefan W. Hell

Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2014)

 

Carol Robinson

Carol Robinson

Professor Dame, University of Oxford

 

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Gregg L. Semenza

Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2019)

 

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Thomas C. Südhof

Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2013) 

 

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Hongkui Zeng

Executive Vice President, Allen Institute for Brain Science

 

The 2025 Breaking Barriers Symposium came alive with the energy of discovery and collaboration. Throughout the day, the halls were filled with conversation, curiosity, and connection.

 

Scientists, clinicians, and students from around the world gathered to exchange ideas and forge new partnerships—turning shared vision into collective momentum for the future of translational research.

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Highlights from the Lectures

The morning and afternoon lectures showcased pioneering discoveries that bridged molecular science and clinical innovation. From molecule-scale imaging and cryo-electron tomography to gene-based therapies and natural compound discovery, each speaker offered a unique perspective on how modern technology is reshaping our understanding of biology and disease.

These talks not only illuminated the mechanisms of life at unprecedented resolution but also emphasized the collaborative spirit driving today’s scientific breakthroughs—where chemistry, physics, and medicine intersect to accelerate progress toward real-world cures.
 

Openers and Audience
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Morning Keynotes & Scientific Insights

Dr. Stefan Hell, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry (2014) from the Max Planck Institutes in Göttingen and Heidelberg, set the tone with his keynote “Molecule-scale Resolution and Dynamics in Fluorescence Microscopy.” His pioneering work in super-resolution imaging has transformed how scientists visualize molecular processes at the nanoscale. Following him, Professor Carol Robinson of the University of Oxford shared “From Recombinant Complex to Brain Region: A Journey in Curiosity,” illustrating how her groundbreaking mass-spectrometry approaches are unraveling the complexities of protein structures in the brain.

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After a brief coffee break, Dr. Wah Chiu from Stanford University presented “Cryo-Electron Tomography of Eye Tissue and Cells,” offering a remarkable view into the architecture of vision at the molecular level. The morning concluded with Dr. Geoffrey Abbott, UCI Professor of Physiology & Biophysics, who delivered “In Search of New Medicines from Plants.” His lecture bridged pharmacology and natural-product chemistry, highlighting the therapeutic potential of botanical compounds in advancing ocular health and human medicine.

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Afternoon Keynotes & Scientific Insights

Dr. Thomas C. Südhof, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2013) from Stanford University, delivered an inspiring keynote, “The Molecular Logic of Synapse Assembly,” unveiling the intricate mechanisms that govern communication between neurons. Dr. Hongkui Zeng of the Allen Institute for Brain Science followed with “Dynamic Changes of Brain Cell Types in Development, Aging and Disease,” presenting large-scale cellular mapping efforts that deepen our understanding of the brain’s complexity across the lifespan.

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After a short coffee break, Dr. Viviana Gradinaru from Caltech shared “Crossing Blood-Brain Barriers with Experimental and Computational Protein Engineering,” highlighting innovative gene-delivery platforms with transformative implications for neurological and ocular therapies. Closing the day, Dr. Gregg L. Semenza, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine (2019) from Johns Hopkins University, delivered “Development of HIF Inhibitors to Treat Cancer and Ocular Neovascularization.” His work on hypoxia-inducible pathways exemplifies the power of translational research in advancing treatments for blinding and life-threatening diseases.

Collaboration in Action

Beyond the podium, the symposium fostered collaboration at every level. Between sessions, investigators exchanged ideas, shared resources, and envisioned new interdisciplinary studies.

Informal moments over lunch and coffee breaks often sparked the beginnings of future partnerships—embodying the spirit of teamwork that drives the Brunson Center for Translational Vision Research.

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As the day concluded, attendees gathered for closing remarks and a celebratory reception. The atmosphere reflected gratitude, inspiration, and shared purpose—hallmarks of BCTVR’s mission to accelerate sight-saving discoveries. -Thank you to all speakers, guests, and volunteers who made the 2025 Breaking Barriers Symposium an extraordinary success.
Opening Remarks

Chancellor Howard Gillman and Dr. Krzysztof Palczewski opened the symposium with a warm welcome, highlighting UC Irvine’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and discovery in biomedical science. Their remarks celebrated the spirit of “breaking barriers” — uniting world-class researchers to advance vision and medical research for the betterment of global health.

Watch Here
Stefan Hell v2
Stefan W. Hell

Nobel Laureate Stefan Hell presents “Molecule-scale Resolution and Dynamics in Fluorescence Microscopy,” revealing how breaking the diffraction limit has transformed the world of imaging. His pioneering innovations in fluorescence microscopy now allow scientists to visualize molecular structures and dynamic processes at nanometer precision, opening new frontiers in biomedical research.

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Carol Robinson
Carol Robinson

Carol Robinson presents “From Recombinant Complex to Brain Region: A Journey in Curiosity,” showcasing her groundbreaking use of mass spectrometry to explore the architecture and dynamics of protein complexes. Through her curiosity-driven approach, she uncovers how structural biology bridges chemistry and neuroscience to reveal life’s molecular machinery.

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