Stem cells…eh, who needs them anyway?! That’s what you might be thinking after today, at least for some forms of liver disease. That’s because a team of researchers from UCSF and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center just published results in Nature showing liver cells can directly change identity, or transdifferentiate, in order to build, from … Continue reading Livers skip stem cells, build missing structures from scratch via direct cell identity conversion
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
CIRM President/CEO Presenting at Vatican Conference Targeting Cures for Deadly Diseases
It’s not often you get invited to a meeting of some of the leading scientists, ethicists, philosophers and faith leaders in the world so when the call comes in it’s an easy one to answer. Particularly when the call is from the Vatican. Maria T. Millan, MD, President and CEO of the California Institute for … Continue reading CIRM President/CEO Presenting at Vatican Conference Targeting Cures for Deadly Diseases
Stem Cell Agency’s Diane Winokur hailed as Visionary
Generally speaking, I am not a huge fan of gala dinners. It’s not that I don’t like seeing people who do remarkable things getting a well-deserved honor. It’s just that the dinners often go on too long and the food is usually not very good (hey, this is San Francisco, those things matter). But last … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency’s Diane Winokur hailed as Visionary
A road trip to the Inland Empire highlights a hot bed of stem cell research
It took us longer than it should have to pay a visit to California’s Inland Empire, but it was definitely worth the wait. Yesterday CIRM’s Roadshow went to the University of California at Riverside (UCR) to talk to the community there – both scientific and public – about the work we are funding and the … Continue reading A road trip to the Inland Empire highlights a hot bed of stem cell research
The moment of truth. A video about the stem cell therapy that could help millions of people going blind.
“No matter how much one prepares, the first patient is always something very special.” That’s how Dr. Mark Humayun describes his feelings as he prepared to deliver a CIRM-funded stem cell therapy to help someone going blind from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Humayun, an ophthalmologist and stem cell researcher at USC, spent years developing … Continue reading The moment of truth. A video about the stem cell therapy that could help millions of people going blind.
Encouraging news about CIRM-funded clinical trial targeting vision loss
Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of vision loss in the U.S. By 2020 it’s estimated that as many as three million Americans will be affected by the disease. Right now, there is no effective therapy. But that could change. A new CIRM-funded clinical trial is showing promise in helping people battling … Continue reading Encouraging news about CIRM-funded clinical trial targeting vision loss
Say Hello to CIRM’s New Active Awards Portfolio Dashboard (Video Included!)
It takes a lot of time, money and effort to develop a promising stem cell research idea into an effective treatment that can help patients. Oftentimes, you don’t hear about the early-stage research that goes into developing a particular treatment until it reaches the clinic. CIRM recognizes the importance of investing in all stages of … Continue reading Say Hello to CIRM’s New Active Awards Portfolio Dashboard (Video Included!)
Stem Cell Agency Heads to Inland Empire for Free Patient Advocate Event
I am embarrassed to admit that I have never been to the Inland Empire in California, the area that extends from San Bernardino to Riverside counties. That’s about to change. On Monday, April 16th CIRM is taking a road trip to UC Riverside, and we’re inviting you to join us. We are holding a special, … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Heads to Inland Empire for Free Patient Advocate Event
CIRM is looking for talented interns to join our stem cell team!
Are you a person who is excited about the promise of stem cell research and regenerative medicine? Are you also looking to gain valuable work experience in science communications or learn what it’s like to work in human resources (HR)? Well look no further! CIRM just launched an internship program and is looking for talented … Continue reading CIRM is looking for talented interns to join our stem cell team!
It’s World Kidney Day: Highlighting CIRM’s Investments in Treating Kidney Failure
Today is World Kidney Day. Hundreds of events across the globe are taking place “to raise awareness of the importance of our kidneys to our overall health and to reduce the frequency and impact of kidney disease and its associated health problems worldwide.” (Side note: in recognition that today is also International Women’s Day, World … Continue reading It’s World Kidney Day: Highlighting CIRM’s Investments in Treating Kidney Failure
The Stem Cellar 