Guest author Neil Littman is CIRM's Business Development Officer. CIRM works closely with UCSF on a number of initiatives, from providing funding to academic investigators to jointly hosting events such as the recent CIRM Showcase with J-Labs held at the Mission Bay campus. Beyond our joint initiatives, UCSF also provides many other valuable resources and … Continue reading Entrepreneurship and Education
Month: November 2014
More Than Meets the Eye: Protein that Keeps Cancer in Check also Plays Direct Role in Stem Cell Biology, a Stanford Study Finds.
Here’s a startling fact: the retinoblastoma protein —Rb, for short — is defective or missing in nearly all cancers. Rb is called a tumor suppressor because it prevents excessive cell growth by acting as a crucial traffic stop for the cell cycle, a process that controls the timing for a cell to divide and multiply. … Continue reading More Than Meets the Eye: Protein that Keeps Cancer in Check also Plays Direct Role in Stem Cell Biology, a Stanford Study Finds.
Creating a Genetic Model for Autism, with a Little Help from the Tooth Fairy
One of the most complex aspects of autism is that it is not one disease—but many. Known more accurately as the autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, experts have long been trying to tease apart the various ways in which the condition manifests in children, with limited success. But now, using the latest stem cell technology, … Continue reading Creating a Genetic Model for Autism, with a Little Help from the Tooth Fairy
CIRM Scientists Discover Key to Blood Cells’ Building Blocks
Our bodies generate new blood cells—both red and white blood cells—each and every day. But reproducing that feat in a petri dish has proven far more difficult. But now, scientists have identified the missing ingredient to producing hematopoietic stem cells, or HSC’s—the type of stem cell that gives rise to all blood and immune cells … Continue reading CIRM Scientists Discover Key to Blood Cells’ Building Blocks
How venture capital became a capital adventure for stem cell agency’s newest Board member
There’s something fascinating about looking at the arc of a person’s career. So often we start out thinking we are going to be one thing, and over the years we move in a different direction and end up doing something else entirely. That’s certainly the case with Kathy LaPorte, the newest addition to our governing … Continue reading How venture capital became a capital adventure for stem cell agency’s newest Board member
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: heart repair, epilepsy and comparing cloned and reprogrammed cells
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. Reminding broken hearts how to mend them selves. After years of tracking down the right genetic buttons a team at the Salk Institute in La … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: heart repair, epilepsy and comparing cloned and reprogrammed cells
Unlocking the Wonder Drug’s Secrets: Aspirin Fends Off Colon Cancer by Killing Faulty Intestinal Stem Cells
Over 700,000 people worldwide died from colorectal cancer in 2010, up from 500,000 in 1990, making it the fourth leading cause of cancer death behind lung, stomach and liver. Remarkably, your household bottle of aspirin – in addition to relieving the common headache – protects against colorectal cancer based on several clinical trials over the … Continue reading Unlocking the Wonder Drug’s Secrets: Aspirin Fends Off Colon Cancer by Killing Faulty Intestinal Stem Cells
Ideas and Energy Reveal Surprises at Stem Cell Showcase
Janssen, the company within the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson responsible for much of its research and development, has a branch in the Bay Area called J Labs. It seeks to foster innovation in all sectors of biomedical research. One piece of that effort brings together innovators for monthly gatherings to exchange ideas and network. … Continue reading Ideas and Energy Reveal Surprises at Stem Cell Showcase
Bringing out the Big Guns: Scientists Weigh in on How Best to Combat Deadly Diseases of the Brain
Despite our best efforts, diseases of the brain are on the rise. Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases threaten not only to devastate our aging population, but also cripple our economy. Meanwhile, the causes of conditions such as autism remain largely unknown. And brain and spinal cord injuries continue to increase—leaving their victims … Continue reading Bringing out the Big Guns: Scientists Weigh in on How Best to Combat Deadly Diseases of the Brain
What everybody needs to know about CIRM: where has the money gone
It’s been almost ten years since the voters of California created the Stem Cell Agency when they overwhelmingly approved Proposition 71, providing us $3 billion to help fund stem cell research. In the last ten years we have made great progress – we will have ten projects that we are funding in or approved to … Continue reading What everybody needs to know about CIRM: where has the money gone
The Stem Cellar 