World Stem Cell Summit: The environment stem cells find themselves in after transplant really matters

On Friday’s closing day of the 2014 World Stem Cell Summit a panel of three researchers working on neurodegenerative diseases drove home the importance of paying attention to the environment that surrounds stem cells after transplant. CIRM grantee Evan Snyder from the Sanford-Burnham Institute noted that most of the neurologic diseases people are looking at … Continue reading World Stem Cell Summit: The environment stem cells find themselves in after transplant really matters

At World Stem Cell Summit improvements in the precision with which we can edit our genes grabs spotlight

Just a day and a half into this year’s World Stem Cell Summit in San Antonio and there have been numerous highlights. But a pair of sessions on gene editing grabbed the attention of many of the scientists at the meeting. One of the renown leaders in the field, Harvard’s George Church wowed the scientists, … Continue reading At World Stem Cell Summit improvements in the precision with which we can edit our genes grabs spotlight

At World Stem Cell Summit: Why results in trials repairing hearts are so uneven

Just as no two people are the same, neither are the cells in their bone marrow, the most common source of stem cells in clinical trials trying to repair damage after a heart attack. Doris Taylor of the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, which is just a couple hours drive from the site of this … Continue reading At World Stem Cell Summit: Why results in trials repairing hearts are so uneven

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: organ replacement, ovarian cancer and repairing damaged hearts.

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. Numbers on organ shortage and review of lab replacements. Vox, the four-month-old web site, is rapidly becoming a credible news source with more than five … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: organ replacement, ovarian cancer and repairing damaged hearts.

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: gene editing tools, lung repair in COPD and big brains

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. Review of the many ways to edit defective genes. Nature’s news section did a nice review of the many ways blood-forming stem cells can be … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: gene editing tools, lung repair in COPD and big brains

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: heart repair, epilepsy and comparing cloned and reprogrammed cells

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. Reminding broken hearts how to mend them selves. After years of tracking down the right genetic buttons a team at the Salk Institute in La … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: heart repair, epilepsy and comparing cloned and reprogrammed cells

Ideas and Energy Reveal Surprises at Stem Cell Showcase

Janssen, the company within the pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson responsible for much of its research and development, has a branch in the Bay Area called J Labs. It seeks to foster innovation in all sectors of biomedical research. One piece of that effort brings together innovators for monthly gatherings to exchange ideas and network. … Continue reading Ideas and Energy Reveal Surprises at Stem Cell Showcase

Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: Perspective on “Walking” Patient, Blood Stem Cells have a Helper and Three Clinical Trials at One Campus

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. Some perspective on nasal stem cells and ”walking” patient. PZ Meyers writing on ScienceBlogs did a good job of putting some perspective into the hype … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: Perspective on “Walking” Patient, Blood Stem Cells have a Helper and Three Clinical Trials at One Campus

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Some good news got a little overplayed on blindness and Alzheimer’s

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. Stories on blindness show too much wide-eyed wonder. While our field got some very good news this week when Advanced Cell Technologies (ACT) published data … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Some good news got a little overplayed on blindness and Alzheimer’s

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: fast track marketing in Japan, a 3D cell tour and autism

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. Event showed great progress, but Japan nipping at our heals. The San Diego Union Tribune’s Brad Fikes seemed to be enjoying covering the Stem Cell … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: fast track marketing in Japan, a 3D cell tour and autism