New funding opportunity in CIRM’s Discovery stage programs: the Foundation Awards 

Applications for CIRM’s new Discovery stage Foundation Awards (DISC 0) are due May 26th, 2022 by 2:00 PM PDT.  The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is pleased to announce a brand new funding opportunity within our Discovery stage programs, the DISC 0 Foundation Awards which will support rigorous studies addressing critical basic knowledge gaps in the … Continue reading New funding opportunity in CIRM’s Discovery stage programs: the Foundation Awards 

UCLA-led team creates first comprehensive map of human blood stem cell development

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Human blood stem cells emerging from specialized endothelial cells in the wall of an embryonic aorta. UCLA scientists’ confirmation of this process clarifies a longstanding controversy about the stem cells’ cellular origin. Image Credit: Hanna Mikkola Lab/UCLA, Katja Schenke-Layland Lab/University of Tübingen, Nature California researchers from … Continue reading UCLA-led team creates first comprehensive map of human blood stem cell development

Reversing hearing loss through regenerative medicine

These images show cellular regeneration, in pink, in a preclinical model of sensorineural hearing loss. The control is on the left and the right has been treated. Image: Hinton AS, Yang-Hood A, Schrader AD, Loose C, Ohlemiller KK, McLean WJ. Most of us know someone affected by hearing loss, but we may not fully realize … Continue reading Reversing hearing loss through regenerative medicine

UC Davis Health researchers aim to use CAR T cells for HIV cure

Dr. Abedi (right) in the lab at UC Davis Health. He and his team of researchers have launched a study looking to identify a potential cure for HIV. Photo Courtesy of UC Davis Health. Worldwide, almost 38 million people are living with HIV—the virus that can lead to AIDS— and it’s estimated that 75% of … Continue reading UC Davis Health researchers aim to use CAR T cells for HIV cure

Using reengineered human skin cells to treat COVID-19

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Investigators at Cedars-Sinai have identified a potential new therapy for COVID-19: a biologic substance created by reengineered human skin cells.    In the study—co-funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)—scientists found the substance stopped SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from reproducing itself. The … Continue reading Using reengineered human skin cells to treat COVID-19

How mRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 could treat muscle atrophy

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Researchers use mRNA to introduce the gene editor CRISPR-Cas9 into human muscle stem cells. These cells fused into multinucleated myotubes following mRNA-mediated CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. A myosin heavy chain is seen in green and the nuclei in blue. Photo: Spuler Lab A team of researchers from … Continue reading How mRNA and CRISPR-Cas9 could treat muscle atrophy

Researchers discover promising approach against treatment-resistant cancer

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Photo: Albert Einstein College of Medicine  Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have devised a promising strategy for overcoming a key cause of cancer deaths: the ability of cancer cells to thrive in the face of chemotherapy drugs designed to destroy them.   There are cells, … Continue reading Researchers discover promising approach against treatment-resistant cancer

How a health tech company is using virtual reality to treat stem cell patients 

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST Photo: Jessica Lewis Virtual reality may soon be used to treat cancer patients who are recovering from stem cell procedures.   Healthcare technology company Rocket VR Health—in partnership with Massachusetts General Hospital—is developing a virtual reality (VR) therapy that intends to enhance the quality of life of … Continue reading How a health tech company is using virtual reality to treat stem cell patients 

Could a common herb help in the fight against COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases?

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST The culinary herb rosemary is commonly used in our kitchens to season an array of dishes, and is also considered a good source for vitamins and minerals.   Rosemary is also valued for its medicinal properties, and has traditionally been used to help alleviate muscle pain, boost the immune and circulatory system, as well as many other health benefits.  Now, scientists at Scripps Research have found … Continue reading Could a common herb help in the fight against COVID-19 and other inflammatory diseases?

Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery 

THIS BLOG IS ALSO AVAILABLE AS AN AUDIO CAST A researcher prepares to study blood cells under a microscope. Photo by Getty. A recent discovery by stem cell scientists at Cedars-Sinai may help make cancer treatment more efficient and shorten the time it takes for people to recover from radiation and chemotherapy.   Published in the … Continue reading Stem cell discovery could help shorten cancer treatment recovery