There are some people who, when you think of them, always bring a smile to your face. Dr. Bert Lubin was one of those people. Sadly, we lost Bert to brain cancer two days ago. But the impact he had, not just as an advocate for stem cell research but as a pioneer in sickle … Continue reading Saying farewell to an old friend
Month: June 2020
You never forget your first
Jake Javier: Photo Michael Clemens "Sees the Day" Photography Now that we have 64 clinical trials that we have funded (plus a few dozen more where we supported the early stage research) it’s sometimes hard to remember the details of each trial. But there is one you never forget. The very first clinical trial you … Continue reading You never forget your first
CIRM Board Approves Third Clinical Trial for COVID-19
Dr. Xiaokui Zhang (left), Dr. Albert Wong (center), and Dr. Preet Chaudhary (right) Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) awarded $750,000 to Dr. Xiaokui Zhang at Celularity to conduct a clinical trial for the treatment of COVID-19. This brings the total number of CIRM clinical trials to 64, including … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Third Clinical Trial for COVID-19
A ready-made approach to tackling COVID-19
Coronavirus particles, illustration. In late March the CIRM Board approved $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 research. The idea was to support great ideas from California’s researchers, some of which had already been tested for different conditions, and see if they could help in finding treatments or a vaccine for the coronavirus. Less than … Continue reading A ready-made approach to tackling COVID-19
Scientists Engineer Stem Cells to Fight HIV
Image of the virus that causes AIDS - courtesy NIH If that headline seems familiar it should. It came from an article in MIT Technology Review back in 2009. There have been many other headlines since then, all on the same subject, and yet here we are, in 2020, and still no cure for HIV/AIDS. … Continue reading Scientists Engineer Stem Cells to Fight HIV
Stem cells used to promote quick and precise bone healing
A close-up view of the intricate microarchitecture of the pluripotent stem-cell-derived extracellular matrix. Image Credit: Carl Gregory/Texas A&M Although some broken bones can be mended with the help of a cast, others require more complex treatments. Bone grafts, which can come from the patient's own body or a donor, are used to transplant bone tissue … Continue reading Stem cells used to promote quick and precise bone healing
Magnetized stem cells used to treat lung disease in mice
Magnetic targeting technique has emerged as a new strategy to aid delivery, increase retention, and enhance the effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) but, so far, has not been performed in lung diseases. With the aid of magnets, magnetized MSCs remained longer in the lungs, and this was associated with increased beneficial effects for the … Continue reading Magnetized stem cells used to treat lung disease in mice
Super charging killer cells to fight leukemia
Colorized scanning electron micrograph of a natural killer cell.Photo credit: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Racing car drivers are forever tinkering with their cars, trying to streamline them and soup up their engines because while fast is good, faster is better. Researchers do the same things with potential anti-cancer therapies, tinkering with them … Continue reading Super charging killer cells to fight leukemia
CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
Dr. Vaithilingaraja Arumugaswami (left) and Dr. Song Li (right), UCLA Today the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved two additional projects as part of the $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 related projects. This brings the number of projects CIRM is supporting to 11, including two clinical trials. The Board awarded $349,999 … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Two Additional COVID-19 Projects
The growth of virtual clinical trials during COVID-19
A participant in a virtual study run by the California firm Science 37 receives materials at home. Credit: Christian Alexander In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a desire to continue to conduct ongoing clinical trials while maintaining social distancing as much as possible. Clinical trial participants have been hesitant to attend … Continue reading The growth of virtual clinical trials during COVID-19
The Stem Cellar 