UCLA scientists discover how SARS-CoV-2 causes multiple organ failure in mice

Heart muscle cells in an uninfected mouse (left) and a mouse infected with SARS-CoV-2 (right) with mitochondria seen in pink. The disorganization of the cells and mitochondria in the image at right is associated with irregular heartbeat and death. Image credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center As the worldwide coronavirus pandemic rages on, scientists are trying … Continue reading UCLA scientists discover how SARS-CoV-2 causes multiple organ failure in mice

Positive results from CIRM-funded LAD-I trial presented at the 62nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

Gaurav Shah, M.D., CEO and President of Rocket Pharmaceuticals Leukocyte Adhesion Deficiency-I (LAD-I) is a rare pediatric disease caused by a mutation in a specific gene that causes low levels of a protein called CD18. Due to low levels of CD18, the adhesion of immune cells is affected, which negatively impacts the body’s ability to … Continue reading Positive results from CIRM-funded LAD-I trial presented at the 62nd American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting

CIRM funded trial for sickle cell disease gives patient a chance for a better future

Evie Junior is participating in a CIRM funded clinical trial for sickle cell disease that uses a stem cell gene therapy approach. Image credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center For Evie Junior, personal health and fitness have always been a top priority. During his childhood, he was active and played football, basketball, and baseball … Continue reading CIRM funded trial for sickle cell disease gives patient a chance for a better future

CIRM-funded study shows how cigarette smoke can worsen COVID-19 infection in the airways

Microscopic images of human stem cell–derived airway tissue models with cell nuclei (blue) and SARS-CoV-2 virus infected cells (green); tissue exposed to cigarette smoke (right) had 2 to 3 times more infected cells than non-exposed tissue (left).Image Credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center/Cell Stem Cell In the middle of a pandemic, stress can run … Continue reading CIRM-funded study shows how cigarette smoke can worsen COVID-19 infection in the airways

CIRM Board Approves Four New Clinical Trials

A breakdown of CIRM's clinical trials by disease area This past Thursday the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved four new clinical trials in addition to ten new discovery research awards. These new awards bring the total number of CIRM-funded clinical trials to 68.  Additionally, these new additions have allowed … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Four New Clinical Trials

CIRM-funded development of stem cell therapy for Canavan disease shows promising results

Yanhong Shi, Ph.D., City of Hope Canavan disease is a fatal neurological disorder, the most prevalent form of which begins in infancy. It is caused by mutation of the ASPA gene, resulting in the deterioration of white matter (myelin) in the brain and preventing the proper transmission of nerve signals.  The mutated ASPA gene causes … Continue reading CIRM-funded development of stem cell therapy for Canavan disease shows promising results

CIRM-funded treatment gets orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from FDA

From left to right: Brian Lookofsky , Taylor Lookofsky, and Rosa Bacchetta, M.D. Picture taken October 2019 Last year, CIRM awarded $5.53 million to Rosa Bacchetta, M.D. at Stanford University to complete the work necessary to conduct a clinical trial for IPEX syndrome. This is a rare disease caused by mutations in the FOXP3 gene, which leaves people … Continue reading CIRM-funded treatment gets orphan drug and rare pediatric disease designations from FDA

A look back at 15 years of CIRM funding at UCLA

Researchers in the lab of CIRM grantee Donald Kohn, M.D. Image Credit: UCLA Broad Stem Cell Center Since the first grant was issued in April 2006, CIRM has funded a wide range of research conducted by top scientists at UCLA for a wide range of diseases. To give a retrospective look at all the research, … Continue reading A look back at 15 years of CIRM funding at UCLA

‘Mini lung’ model shows scientists early stages of new coronavirus infection

Representative image of three-dimensional human lung alveolar organoid showing alveolar stem cell marker, HTII-280 (red) and SARS-CoV-2 entry protein, ACE2 (green) Image Credit: Jeonghwan Youk, Taewoo Kim, and Seon Pyo Hong The development of organoid modeling has significantly expanded our understanding of human organs and the diseases that can affect them. For those unfamiliar with … Continue reading ‘Mini lung’ model shows scientists early stages of new coronavirus infection

Delivering a protein to testes could help treat male infertility

Delivering a protein (red fluorescence) to mice testes with a fibroin nanoparticle-encapsulated cationic lipid complex (green) restored male fertility. Credit: Adapted from ACS Nano 2020, DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c04936 For many couples that are ready to start a family, infertility, which is the inability to conceive children, can be a devastating setback. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, … Continue reading Delivering a protein to testes could help treat male infertility