When injecting stem cells into a patient, how do the cells know where to go? How do they know to travel to a specific damage site, without getting distracted along the way? Scientists are now discovering that, in some cases they do but in many cases, they don’t. So engineers have found a way to … Continue reading Stay on Target: Scientists Create Chemical ‘Homing Devices’ that Guide Stem Cells to Final Destination
Month: February 2015
How the human genome is unlocking some of the secrets of stem cells, hopefully leading to new treatments
A little over a year ago we set aside $40 million to study how variations in the human genome – the complete map of our genetic information – can affect our ability to use stem cells to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. That money helped set up the Stanford/Salk Center of Excellence … Continue reading How the human genome is unlocking some of the secrets of stem cells, hopefully leading to new treatments
Heroic three-year study reveals safe methods for growing clinical-grade stem cells
Imagine seeking out the ideal pancake recipe: should you include sugar or no sugar? How about bleached vs. unbleached flour? Baking power or baking soda? When to flip the pancake on the skillet? You really have to test out many parameters to get that perfectly delicious light and fluffy pancake. Essentially that’s what a CIRM-funded … Continue reading Heroic three-year study reveals safe methods for growing clinical-grade stem cells
Shape-Shifting Pancreas Cells Set Stage for Development of Deadly Cancer
After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, the likely outcome is—in a word—bleak. At a time when cancers can be treated so successfully as to give the patient a good quality of life, pancreatic cancer remains one of the last holdouts. It is the fourth most deadly form of cancer in the United States. One in … Continue reading Shape-Shifting Pancreas Cells Set Stage for Development of Deadly Cancer
Stem cell stories that caught our eye; progress toward artificial brain, teeth may help the blind and obesity
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. More progress toward artificial brain. A team at the RIKEN Institute in Japan has used stem cells in a 3-D culture to create brain tissue … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye; progress toward artificial brain, teeth may help the blind and obesity
Clearing up chemobrain: cancer therapy-induced memory problems reversed by stem cells
You'd think receiving a cancer diagnosis and then suffering through chemo and/or radiation therapy would be traumatic enough. But as many as 75% of cancer survivors are afflicted by memory and attention problems long after their cancer therapy. This condition, often called “chemobrain”, shouldn’t be misunderstood as being confined to cancers of the brain. A … Continue reading Clearing up chemobrain: cancer therapy-induced memory problems reversed by stem cells
Roadmap to our epigenome reveals the genetic switches that make one adult cell type different from others
A decade ago scientists made a huge news splash when they announced the completion of the human genome project declaring it the first road map of our genes. But it did not take long to realize that the early road map was like some of the early days of GPS systems: it lacked knowledge of … Continue reading Roadmap to our epigenome reveals the genetic switches that make one adult cell type different from others
Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan and the importance of staying above the fray in science communications
Carl Sagan, the astronomer and cosmologist (among many other things) once said: “We live in a society absolutely dependent on science and technology, and yet have cleverly arranged things so that almost no one understands science and technology. That's a clear prescription for disaster.” The goal of two panel discussions at the American Association for … Continue reading Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan and the importance of staying above the fray in science communications
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Cancer genetics, cell fate, super donors and tale of road to diabetes cure
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. For cancer growth timing is everything. A study originating at the University of Southern California suggests tumors are born to be bad. Mutations constantly occur … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Cancer genetics, cell fate, super donors and tale of road to diabetes cure
Combination Cancer Therapy Gives Cells a Knockout Punch
For some forms of cancer, there really is no way to truly eradicate it. Even the most advanced chemotherapy treatments leave behind some straggler cells that can fuel a relapse. But now, scientists have devised a unique strategy, something they are calling a ‘one-two punch’ that can more effectively wipe out dangerous tumors, and lower … Continue reading Combination Cancer Therapy Gives Cells a Knockout Punch