CRISPR–Cas9 has been widely hailed as the gene editing tool of the future. But research, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology, about the effects of CRISPR/Cas9, have found it can cause unexpected genetic damage which could lead to dangerous changes in some cells. Scientists have also learned there may be some safety implications for … Continue reading CRISPR Gene Editing Tool Linked to Unexpected Collateral DNA Damage
Month: July 2018
Headline: Stem Cell Roundup: Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week.
In search of a miracle One of the toughest parts of my job is getting daily calls and emails from people desperate for a stem cell treatment or cure for themselves or a loved one and having to tell them that I don’t know of any. You can hear in their voice, read it in … Continue reading Headline: Stem Cell Roundup: Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week.
Starving stem cells of oxygen can help build stronger bones
We usually think that starving something of oxygen is going to make it weaker and maybe even kill it. But a new study by J. Kent Leach at UC Davis shows that instead of weakening bone defects, depriving them of oxygen might help boost their ability to create new bone or repair existing bone. Leach … Continue reading Starving stem cells of oxygen can help build stronger bones
For the first time, scientists entirely reprogram human skin cells to iPSCs using CRISPR
Back in 2012, Shinya Yamanaka was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his group’s identification of “Yamanaka Factors,” a group of genes that are capable of turning ordinary skin cells into induced pluripotentent stem cells (iPSCs) which have the ability to become any type of cell within the body. Discovery of iPSCs … Continue reading For the first time, scientists entirely reprogram human skin cells to iPSCs using CRISPR
Gene-editing Technique in Mice Shows Promise for Genetic Disorder in Utero
For first time ever, scientists used a gene editing technique to successfully cure a genetic condition in a mouse in utero. Their findings present a promising new avenue for research into treating genetic conditions in utero.
Stem cell gene therapy combination could help children battling a rare genetic disorder
Hunter syndrome is devastating. It’s caused by a single enzyme, IDS, that is either missing or malfunctioning. Without the enzyme the body is unable to break down complex sugar molecules and as those build up they cause permanent, progressive damage to the body and brain and, in some instances, result in severe mental disabilities. There … Continue reading Stem cell gene therapy combination could help children battling a rare genetic disorder
CIRM Supported Scientist Makes Surprising Discovery with Parasitic Gut Worms
It’s no secret that researchers have long believed adult stem cells could contribute to wound healing in the gut and skin, but in a new paper in Nature — a group of scientists at UC San Francisco made a surprising discovery. Through several experiments using parasitic worms in the mouse gut, they found that as … Continue reading CIRM Supported Scientist Makes Surprising Discovery with Parasitic Gut Worms
Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
When you get praise from someone who has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences and has been named California Scientist of the Year you know you must be doing something right. That’s how we felt the other day when Irv Weissman, Director of the Stanford Institute of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, … Continue reading Early CIRM support helps stem cell pioneer develop promising new therapy for cancer
Video: Behind the scenes of a life-saving gene therapy stem cell treatment
“We were so desperate. When we heard about this treatment were willing to do anything to come here.” In the above quote from Zahraa El Kerdi, “here” refers to UCLA, a world away from her hometown in Lebanon. In September 2015, Zahree gave birth to a son, Hussein, who appeared perfectly healthy. But by six … Continue reading Video: Behind the scenes of a life-saving gene therapy stem cell treatment
The Stem Cellar 