One of the most complex aspects of autism is that it is not one disease—but many. Known more accurately as the autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, experts have long been trying to tease apart the various ways in which the condition manifests in children, with limited success. But now, using the latest stem cell technology, … Continue reading Creating a Genetic Model for Autism, with a Little Help from the Tooth Fairy
Author: cirmweb
CIRM Scientists Discover Key to Blood Cells’ Building Blocks
Our bodies generate new blood cells—both red and white blood cells—each and every day. But reproducing that feat in a petri dish has proven far more difficult. But now, scientists have identified the missing ingredient to producing hematopoietic stem cells, or HSC’s—the type of stem cell that gives rise to all blood and immune cells … Continue reading CIRM Scientists Discover Key to Blood Cells’ Building Blocks
Bringing out the Big Guns: Scientists Weigh in on How Best to Combat Deadly Diseases of the Brain
Despite our best efforts, diseases of the brain are on the rise. Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases threaten not only to devastate our aging population, but also cripple our economy. Meanwhile, the causes of conditions such as autism remain largely unknown. And brain and spinal cord injuries continue to increase—leaving their victims … Continue reading Bringing out the Big Guns: Scientists Weigh in on How Best to Combat Deadly Diseases of the Brain
Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: Skin Cells to Brain Cells in One Fell Swoop, #WeAreResearch Goes Viral, and Genes Helps Stem Cells Fight Disease
Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. Building a Better Brain Cell. Thanks to advances in stem cell biology, scientists have found ways to turn adult cells, such as skin cells, back … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: Skin Cells to Brain Cells in One Fell Swoop, #WeAreResearch Goes Viral, and Genes Helps Stem Cells Fight Disease
From Stem Cells to Stomachs: Scientists Generate 3D, Functioning Human Stomach Tissue
The human stomach can be a delicate organ. For example, even the healthiest stomach can be compromised by H. pylori bacteria—a tiny but ruthless pathogen which has shown to be linked to both peptic ulcer disease and stomach cancer. The best way to study how an H. pylori infection leads to conditions like cancer would … Continue reading From Stem Cells to Stomachs: Scientists Generate 3D, Functioning Human Stomach Tissue
Scientists Develop Stem Cell ‘Special Forces’ in order to Target, Destroy Brain Tumors
Curing someone of cancer is, in theory, a piece of cake: all you have to do is kill the cancer cells while leaving the healthy cells intact. But in practice, this solution is far more difficult. In fact, it remains one of the great unsolved problems in modern oncology: how do you find, target and … Continue reading Scientists Develop Stem Cell ‘Special Forces’ in order to Target, Destroy Brain Tumors
October ICOC Board Meeting to Begin Soon
The October ICOC Board Meeting begins this morning in Los Angeles, CA. The complete agenda can be found here, including a special Spotlight on Disease focusing on Retinitis Pigmentosa. For those not able to attend, you are welcome to dial in! Dial in Information WebEx Link Go to https://cirm.webex.com/mw0307l/mywebex/default.do?nomenu=true&siteurl=cirm&service=6&rnd=0.1631693973521846&main_url=https%3A%2F%2Fcirm.webex.com%2Fec0606l%2Feventcenter%2Fevent%2FeventAction.do%3FtheAction%3Dlandingfrommail%26confViewID%3D1768820746%26%26EMK%3D4832534b00000001b818c6aba1676c71bd89b75494e1eaedf534c1f22fb97ac7628f523b819f42bd%26email%3Dacheung%2540cirm.ca.gov%26encryptTicket%3Dca2ac06488c1a8983c154b61e44cae56%26%26siteurl%3Dcirm Click "Join Now" Dial in: (877) … Continue reading October ICOC Board Meeting to Begin Soon
CIRM-Funded Scientists Make New Progress Toward Engineering a Human Esophagus
Creating tissues and organs from stem cells—often referred to as ‘tissue engineering’—is hard. But new research has discovered that the process may in fact be a little easier than we once thought, at least in some situations. Last week, scientists at The Saban Research Institute of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles announced that the esophagus—the tube … Continue reading CIRM-Funded Scientists Make New Progress Toward Engineering a Human Esophagus
UCLA Study Suggests New Way to Mend a Broken Heart
When you suffer a heart attack, your heart-muscle cells become deprived of oxygen. Without oxygen, the cells soon whither and die—and are entombed within scar tissue. And once these cells die, they can’t be brought back to life. But maybe—just maybe—there is another way to build new heart muscle. And if there is, scientists like … Continue reading UCLA Study Suggests New Way to Mend a Broken Heart
Cranking it Up to Eleven: Heightened Growth of Neural Stem Cells Linked to Autism-like Behavior
Autism is not one single disease but a suite of many, which is why researchers have long struggled to understand its underlying causes. Often referred to as the Autism Spectrum Disorders, autism has been linked to multiple genetic and environmental factors—different combinations of which can all result in autism or autistic-like behavior. But as we … Continue reading Cranking it Up to Eleven: Heightened Growth of Neural Stem Cells Linked to Autism-like Behavior
The Stem Cellar 