Like a sophisticated security fence, our bodies have evolved a barrier that protects the brain from potentially harmful substances in the blood but still allows the entry of essential molecules like blood sugar and oxygen. Just like in other parts of the body, the blood vessels and capillaries in the brain are lined with endothelial … Continue reading Stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier gives more complete picture of Huntington’s disease
Author: Todd Dubnicoff
UCSD scientists devise tiny sensors that detect forces at cellular level
A big focus of stem cell research is trying to figure how to make a stem cell specialize, or differentiate, into a desired cell type like muscle, liver or bone. When we write about these efforts in the Stem Cellar, it’s usually in terms of researchers identifying proteins that bind to a stem cell’s surface … Continue reading UCSD scientists devise tiny sensors that detect forces at cellular level
Pleasant surprise reveals molecular insights about graying and balding hair
A lesson that every lab researcher learns early in their career is that experiments often don’t give you the results you expect. But that’s not always a bad thing. Sometimes surprising results can lead to new insights or can even steer your research in completely new, exciting directions. That’s what happened to scientists at the … Continue reading Pleasant surprise reveals molecular insights about graying and balding hair
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: better ovarian cancer drugs, creating inner ear tissue, small fish big splash
Two drugs are better than one for ovarian cancer (Karen Ring). Earlier this week, scientists from UCLA reported that a combination drug therapy could be an effective treatment for 50% of aggressive ovarian cancers. The study was published in the journal Precision Oncology and was led by Dr. Sanaz Memarzadeh. Women with high-grade ovarian tumors … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: better ovarian cancer drugs, creating inner ear tissue, small fish big splash
Stem cell-derived, 3D brain tissue reveals autism insights
Studying human brain disorders is one of the most challenging fields in biomedical research. Besides the fact that the brain is incredibly complex, it’s just plain difficult to peer into it. For one thing, it’s not practical, let alone ethical, to drill into an affected person’s skull and collect brain cells to learn about their … Continue reading Stem cell-derived, 3D brain tissue reveals autism insights
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: spinal cord injury trial keeps pace; SMART cells make cartilage and drugs
CIRM-funded spinal cord injury trial keeping a steady pace Taking an idea for a stem cell treatment and developing it into a Food and Drug Administration-approved cell therapy is like running the Boston Marathon because it requires incremental progress rather than a quick sprint. Asterias Biotherapeutics continues to keep a steady pace and to hit … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: spinal cord injury trial keeps pace; SMART cells make cartilage and drugs
Knocking out sexually transmitted disease with stem cells and CRISPR gene editing
When used in tandem, stem cells and gene editing make a powerful pair in the development of cell therapies for genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia and bubble baby disease. But the applications of these cutting-edge technologies go well beyond cell therapies. This week, researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the UK and … Continue reading Knocking out sexually transmitted disease with stem cells and CRISPR gene editing
Could revving up stem cells help senior citizens heal as fast as high school seniors?
All physicians, especially surgeons, sport medicine doctors, and military medical corps share a similar wish: to able to speed up the healing process for their patients’ incisions and injuries. Data published this week in Cell Reports may one day fulfill that wish. The study – reported by a Stanford University research team – pinpoints a single … Continue reading Could revving up stem cells help senior citizens heal as fast as high school seniors?
A life-threatening childhood disease and the CIRM-funded team seeking a stem cell cure featured in new video
“My hope for Brooke is she can one day look back and we have to remind her of the disease she once had.” That’s Clay Emerson’s biggest hope for his young daughter Brooke, who has cystinosis, a life-threatening genetic disease that appears by the age of two and over time causes damage to many organs, … Continue reading A life-threatening childhood disease and the CIRM-funded team seeking a stem cell cure featured in new video
Fantastic Voyage: using stem cells to build live 3D maps of our cells
From the 1966 sci-fi action thriller Fantastic Voyage to the recent, hilarious cartoon, Phineas and Ferb, TV and film have often depicted the idea of people miniaturizing themselves and traveling into the microscopic world of the human body. Now, that journey is a reality for you and me. Well, sort of. This week, the Allen … Continue reading Fantastic Voyage: using stem cells to build live 3D maps of our cells
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