Researchers discover how to steer stem cells to regenerate cartilage in joints

Dr. Charles K.F. Chan (Left) and Dr. Michael Longaker (right), Stanford University Cartilage is a flexible, connective tissue in our joints that is important for cushioning our bones against impacts. This cartilage deteriorates as we age due to normal wear and tear and in some instances excessive damage or a deteriorating disease. The deterioration of … Continue reading Researchers discover how to steer stem cells to regenerate cartilage in joints

Driving Innovation While Addressing Health Disparities Among People of Color

Image courtesy of Science Photo Library One of the wonders of regenerative medicine is its broad applicability, which provides us with the opportunity to build upon existing knowledge and concepts.  In the midst of a global pandemic, researchers have responded to the needs of patients severely afflicted with COVID-19 by repurposing existing therapies being developed … Continue reading Driving Innovation While Addressing Health Disparities Among People of Color

Building Bridges to a Brighter Future – Celebrating 11 Years of Workforce Development

By: Dr. Kelly Shepard, Associate Director, Discovery and Translation, CIRM CIRM 2020 Bridges Conference via Zoom Every July, CIRM is thrilled to announce the arrival a new generation of stem cell scientists who are ready to hit the ground running as laboratory technicians, educators, communicators, or future leaders of their chosen profession. These diverse and … Continue reading Building Bridges to a Brighter Future – Celebrating 11 Years of Workforce Development

Scientists at UC Davis discover a way to help stem cells repair heart tissue

Researchers Phung Thai (left) and Padmini Sirish were part of a research team seeking stem cell solutions to heart failure care.  Image Credit: UC Davis Repairing the permanent damage associated with a heart attack or long-term heart disease has been a challenge that scientists have been trying to tackle for a long time. Heart failure … Continue reading Scientists at UC Davis discover a way to help stem cells repair heart tissue

Therapy developed with CIRM award used in new clinical trial for COVID-19

Dr. Joshua Rhein, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the University of Minnesota Medical School's Division of Infectious Diseases and International Medicine Image Credit: University of Minnesota While doctors are still trying to better understand how to treat some of the most severe cases of COVID-19, researchers are looking at their current scientific "toolkit" to see if … Continue reading Therapy developed with CIRM award used in new clinical trial for COVID-19

CIRM progression award to support research towards immunodeficiency

Dr. Caroline Kuo, a member of the Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCLA In 2017, CIRM funded a discovery or early stage research project for Dr. Caroline Kuo at UCLA for a hereditary immune disorder known as X-Linked Hyper IgM Syndrome. The work has gone so well … Continue reading CIRM progression award to support research towards immunodeficiency

Unproven “stem cell” therapy injuries are more common than we realized

Jaime Imitola, senior author of the paper and director of the Comprehensive Multiple Sclerosis Center at UConn Health Here at CIRM we only fund clinical trials that meet the rigorous standards outlined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These requirements are not only necessary to properly evaluate how effective a potential treatment may be, … Continue reading Unproven “stem cell” therapy injuries are more common than we realized

CIRM Board Approves Two New Discovery Research Projects for COVID-19

Dr. Karen Christman (left) and Dr. Lili Yang (right) This past Friday the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved two new discovery research project as part of the $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 related projects.  This brings the number of COVID-19 projects CIRM is supporting to 17, including three clinical trials. … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Two New Discovery Research Projects for COVID-19

Researchers 3D print a heart pump using stem cells

This image used on the cover of the American Heart Association’s Circulation Research journal is a 3D rendering of the printed heart pump developed at the University of Minnesota. The discovery could have major implications for studying heart disease. Credit: Kupfer, Lin, et al., University of Minnesota According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart … Continue reading Researchers 3D print a heart pump using stem cells

CIRM Board Approves Two Discovery Research Projects for COVID-19

Dr. Steven Dowdy (left), Dr. Evan Snyder (center), and Dr. John Zaia (right) This past Friday the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) approved two additional discovery research projects as part of the $5 million in emergency funding for COVID-19 related projects.  This brings the number of COVID-19 projects CIRM is supporting to … Continue reading CIRM Board Approves Two Discovery Research Projects for COVID-19