One of the most famous stem cell scientists in the world said on Monday that the promise of stem cell treatments has in some ways been overstated. In an interview with the New York Times, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, one of the recipients of the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of induced pluripotent … Continue reading Has the promise of stem cells been overstated?
Month: January 2017
Stories that caught our eye: frail bones in diabetics, ethics of future IVF, Alzheimer’s
The connection between diabetes and frail bones uncovered Fundamentally, diabetes is defined by abnormally high blood sugar levels. But that one defect over time carries an increased risk for a wide range of severe health problems. For instance, compared to healthy individuals, type 2 diabetics are more prone to poorly healing bone fractures – a … Continue reading Stories that caught our eye: frail bones in diabetics, ethics of future IVF, Alzheimer’s
Eye on the prize: two stem cell studies restore vision in blind mice
For the 39 million people in the world who are blind, a vision-restoring therapy would be the ultimate prize. So far, this prize has remained out of reach, but two studies published this week have entered the ring as promising contenders in the fight against blindness. In the red corner, we have a study published … Continue reading Eye on the prize: two stem cell studies restore vision in blind mice
Stem Cells Profile in Courage: Pat Furlong, Patient Advocate
One of the true joys for me in helping put together this year’s Annual Report was getting to know the patients and patient advocates that we profiled in the report. These are some extraordinary individuals and the short profiles we posted only touch the surface of just how extraordinary. So, over the next few weeks … Continue reading Stem Cells Profile in Courage: Pat Furlong, Patient Advocate
What’s Your 2017 Stem Cell Resolution?
January marks the beginning of a new year and is typically a time when people make resolutions to better themselves. This year at CIRM, we’re shaking things up and making stem cell resolutions. What’s your #StemCellResolution? Our goal is to raise awareness about the importance of funding stem cell research and accelerating the development of … Continue reading What’s Your 2017 Stem Cell Resolution?
Stem cell and gene therapy research gets a good report card from industry leader
The state of the regenerative medicine field is strong and getting stronger. That was the bottom line verdict at the 2017 Cell and Gene Therapies State of the Industry briefing in San Francisco. The briefing, an annual update on the field presented by the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), gave a “by the numbers” look … Continue reading Stem cell and gene therapy research gets a good report card from industry leader
CIRM Board member Jeff Sheehy appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
As a former journalist I love breaking news, it gets the adrenaline flowing. Usually when news is breaking it’s bad news. Today, however, I was fortunate to be present for breaking news that was, more than anything, a celebration. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee today appointed CIRM Board member, and Patient Advocate for HIV/AIDS, Jeff … Continue reading CIRM Board member Jeff Sheehy appointed to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: designer socks for cancer patients, stem-cell derived stomachs and fighting off bone infections
Inspiring cancer patients with designer socks. (Karen Ring) Here’s a motivating story we found in the news this week about a cancer survivor who’s bringing inspiration to other cancer patients with designer socks. Yes, you read that correctly, socks. Jake Teitelbaum is a student at Wake Forest University and suffers from a rare form of blood … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: designer socks for cancer patients, stem-cell derived stomachs and fighting off bone infections
Your Guide to Awesome Stem Cell Conferences in 2017
Welcome to 2017, a year that will likely be full of change and new surprises. I’m hoping that some of these surprises will be in regenerative medicine with new stem cell therapies showing promise or effectiveness in clinical trials. A great way to stay on top of new advances in stem cell research is to … Continue reading Your Guide to Awesome Stem Cell Conferences in 2017
Genetically engineered immune cells melt away deadly brain tumors
Cancers come in many different forms. Some are treatable if caught early and other aren’t. One of the most deadly types of cancers are glioblastomas - a particularly aggressive form of brain tumor. Patients diagnosed with glioblastoma have an average life expectancy of 12-15 months and there is no cure or effective treatment that extends … Continue reading Genetically engineered immune cells melt away deadly brain tumors
The Stem Cellar 