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
Reprogramming Ordinary Skin Cells into iPSCs
CRISPR iPSCs reprogramming using human skin cells expressing SOX2 and TRA-1-60, markers of human embryonic pluripotent stem cells Recently, Timo Otonkoski’s team at the University of Helsinki, reprogrammed ordinary skin cells into iPSCs using CRISPR. Their breakthrough builds on Shinya Yamanaka approach, known as “Yamanaka Factors.” Yamanaka used genes that can reprogram ordinary skin cells … Continue reading Reprogramming Ordinary Skin Cells into iPSCs
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.
New Approach to treat Hunters Syndrome
A child with Hunter Syndrome Researchers at the University of Manchester developed a promising new approach that could help children with Hunter syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. More on Hunters syndrome A missing or malfunctioning IDS enzyme triggers Hunter syndrome. Without IDS, the body cannot break down complex sugars. As these sugars build up, they … Continue reading New Approach to treat Hunters Syndrome
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