A team at the University of Illinois combined flexible polymers and heart muscle cells generated from stem cells to create synthetic “micro-organisms” capable of swimming in the blood stream. The researchers hope to perfect their miniature bio-bots so that they can deliver drugs or target cancers.They modeled their bio-bots on one-cell animals and sperm that … Continue reading Stem cells provide the engine for tiny bio-bot, may deliver drugs one day

Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. Bone disease treated in growing fetus. Two children born with brittle bone disease, which normally results in hundreds of fracture and slow growth, have developed … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: bone disease, Parkinson’s and healthy gut flora

ViaCyte's VC-01 delivery system Imagine a device, about the size of a credit card, that can be inserted just under the skin and that not only is capable of monitoring blood sugar levels but can also secrete insulin if those levels are too low.People with type 1 diabetes would call a device like that “a … Continue reading One hour that could change your life: a Google Hangout on Diabetes

Dr. Bruce Hensel: courtesy Drbrucehensel.com As a former TV journalist who specialized in covering health and medical news I have long lamented the fact that there are fewer and fewer specialist health reporters in TV today, and even fewer who are doing really good in-depth stories. Happily NBC TV news in Los Angeles has Dr. … Continue reading Stopping bad stem cells could block deadly cancers

The most common type of stem cell used in clinical trials today is the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) found in bone marrow and fat. The federal web site, clinicaltrials.gov lists a few hundred MSC trials. A pair of news stories on the web this morning detail why MSCs are so versatile, but also why they … Continue reading Mesenchymal type stem cells function more like a drugstore than a source of direct repair

Last summer, I blogged here about our friend Chris Furbee’s 18 year journey to complete an autobiographical documentary film about the impact of Huntington’s disease on him and his family. When I wrote about it in July, Chris was still nearing the finish line but I’m incredibly happy to report that the film, Huntington’s Dance, … Continue reading Huntington’s Disease Advocate’s Film Huntington’s Dance Premieres at SlamDance Fest this Weekend

Chemical modification of genetic material (RNA, shown here) helps keep stem cells in their "ground state", study finds The year is a mere 14 days old and yet my colleagues have already blogged here about very positive news regarding CIRM-funded stem cell-based clinical trial projects for treating heart disease and sickle cell anemia. At times … Continue reading To be or not to be a stem cell: Sanford-Burnham lab finds new mechanism

Joe Panetta: photo by K.C. Alfred, San Diego Union TribuneYou can never have too much help in making good decisions, that’s why we are delighted to welcome Joe Panetta as the newest member of our governing Board, the Independent Citizens Oversight Committee.Joe has just been appointed to the Board by Governor Jerry Brown and he … Continue reading New face brings fresh perspective to stem cell agency Board

The size of the crowd at the ARM briefing is a measure of the growth of the industryIt’s an auspicious start to the week when you begin your day at a conference and one of the first lines you hear from the podium is: “This industry is ready for prime time.” In this case, the … Continue reading State of the industry briefing shows a field coming of age, ready to start benefiting patients.

A stem cell treatment for TB? A report this week from Sweden suggests yes.Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. Artificial bone marrow. Stem cell transplants using cells originating in bone marrow have … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: a tool toward safer bone marrow transplants, Parkinson’s and a Spinal cord clinical trial.