Dr. Samuel Strober is refining a process that eliminates the need for the many immunosuppresant drugs normally required after a transplant.Image credit: Stanford Medicine News Center In 2019, there were over 23,000 kidney transplants in the United States, according to figures from the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS). These transplants can be lifesaving, but … Continue reading Donor blood stem cells and T cells could help patients wean off immunosuppressive drugs after organ transplant
Month: January 2020
Stem Cell/Gene Therapy combo heals patients battling rare disorder
Brenden Whittaker and his dog: Photo by Colin McGuire A few years ago, Brenden Whittaker was running out of time. Brenden was born with a rare condition called x-linked chronic granulomatous disease or XCGD. It meant he lacked a critical part of his immune system that protects against bacterial or fungal infections. Over 22 years … Continue reading Stem Cell/Gene Therapy combo heals patients battling rare disorder
Tiny organs grown from snake stem cells produce real venom
Researchers grew tiny venom glands from nine different snake species, including the cape coral cobra pictured above. Photo Credit: Michael D. Kern/Science Source Snake venom can be deadly without proper treatment. Interestingly enough, it may also hold the key for treatments against pain, high blood pressure, and cancer according to one analysis. Despite this, scientists … Continue reading Tiny organs grown from snake stem cells produce real venom
Rave reviews for new Killer-T Cell study
Anytime you read a news headline that claims a new discovery "may treat all cancer" it's time to put your skeptic's hat on. After all, there have been so many over-hyped "discoveries" over the years that later flopped, that it would be natural to question the headline writer. And yet, this time, maybe, this one … Continue reading Rave reviews for new Killer-T Cell study
Two studies identify a molecule that could be used to block Zika virus and kill cancer cells
Dr. Tariq Rana (left) and Dr. Jeremy Rich (right) both lead independent teams at UC San Diego that identified a molecule, αvβ5 integrin, as the Zika virus' key to getting into brain stem cells Zika virus is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. People usually develop mild symptoms that include fever, rash, and … Continue reading Two studies identify a molecule that could be used to block Zika virus and kill cancer cells
Researchers create “xenobot” – world’s first living, self-healing robots created from frog stem cells
Artificial Intelligence methods automatically design diverse candidate lifeforms in simulation (top row) to perform some desired function, and transferable designs are then created using a cell-based construction toolkit to realize living systems (bottom row) with the predicted behaviors. Image credit: https://cdorgs.github.io/ The thought of microscopic robots brings the image of Hollywood blockbusters such as "Terminator" … Continue reading Researchers create “xenobot” – world’s first living, self-healing robots created from frog stem cells
It’s official: the state of regenerative medicine is strong
A panel discussion to a packed house at the annual ARM State of the Industry briefing Calling it a “year of dramatic impact for patients” Janet Lambert, the CEO of the Alliance for Regenerative Medicine (ARM), gave the annual “State of the Industry” briefing today in San Francisco. The briefing is a traditional kick-off event … Continue reading It’s official: the state of regenerative medicine is strong
Human immune cells made using pluripotent stem cells in world first
Dr. Andrew Elfanty (left) and Dr. Ed Stanley (right), Murdoch Children's Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia Our immune system is the first line of defense our bodies use to fight off infections and disease. One crucial component of this defense mechanism are lymphocytes, which are specialized cells that give rise to various kinds of immune … Continue reading Human immune cells made using pluripotent stem cells in world first
Dashed Dreams and New Hope: A Quest to Cure Thymic Deficiency
By Kelly Shepard, PhD., CIRM's Associate Director, Discovery & Translation CIRM has previously blogged about advances in treating certain forms of “bubble baby” disease”, where a person is born with a defect in their blood forming stem cells that results in a deficient immune system, rendering them vulnerable to lethal infections by all manner of … Continue reading Dashed Dreams and New Hope: A Quest to Cure Thymic Deficiency
CIRM supported study of gene silencer blocks ALS degeneration, saves motor function
Dr. Martin Marsala, UC San Diego Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that destroys the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. As a result of ALS, the motor neurons that enable bodily movement and muscle control are harmed, which can make it difficult to move, … Continue reading CIRM supported study of gene silencer blocks ALS degeneration, saves motor function
The Stem Cellar 