The use of antiretroviral drugs has turned HIV/AIDS from a fatal disease to one that can, in many cases in the US, be controlled. But these drugs are not a cure. That's why the governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) voted to approve investing $6.85 million in a therapy that aims … Continue reading Funding a Clinical Trial for a Functional Cure for HIV
California Institute for Regenerative Medicine
Fast Track Designation for a therapy making transplants safer for children with a fatal immune disorder
Bone marrow transplant For children born with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) life can be very challenging. SCID means they have no functioning immune system, so even a simple infection can prove life threatening. Left untreated, children with SCID often die in the first few years of life. There are stem cell/gene therapies funded by the … Continue reading Fast Track Designation for a therapy making transplants safer for children with a fatal immune disorder
The race to cure sickle cell disease
September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month, a time to refocus our efforts to find new treatments, even a cure, for people with sickle cell disease. Until we get those, CIRM remains committed to doing everything we can to reduce the stigma and bias that surrounds it. Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a rare, inherited … Continue reading The race to cure sickle cell disease
Mourning the death of Susan Solomon
Susan L. Solomon, Photo courtesy of NYSCF We were saddened to learn today of the death of Susan Solomon, the CEO and co-founder of the New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF), a non-profit organization that supports stem cell research around the world. As CEO, Ms. Solomon raised over $400M for stem cell research, helping to … Continue reading Mourning the death of Susan Solomon
How stem cells helped Veronica fight retinitis pigmentosa and regain her vision
Veronica and Elliott Growing up Veronica McDougall thought everyone saw the world the way she did; blurry, slightly out-of-focus and with tunnel vision. As she got older her sight got worse and even the strongest prescription glasses didn’t help. When she was 15 her brother tried teaching her to drive. One night she got into … Continue reading How stem cells helped Veronica fight retinitis pigmentosa and regain her vision
Stem Cell Agency Invests $46 Million in New Education Program
CIRM Bridges students 2022. The CIRM Board approved funding for a program to help even more students advance a career in science. The governing Board of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has approved $46,076,430 to invest in its newest education pillar- the COMPASS (Creating Opportunities through Mentorship and Partnership Across Stem cell Science) … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Invests $46 Million in New Education Program
A better, faster, more effective way to edit genes
Clinical fellow Brian Shy talks with postdoctoral scholar Tori Yamamoto in the Marson Lab at Gladstone Institutes on June 8th, 2022. Photo courtesy Gladstone Institutes. For years scientists have been touting the potential of CRISPR, a gene editing tool that allows you to target a specific mutation and either cut it out or replace it … Continue reading A better, faster, more effective way to edit genes
From our house to the White House. Kinda
Jackie Ward, PhD. Photo courtesy National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke It's always fun to meet someone early in their career and see how they grow and evolve and take on new challenges. I first met Jackie Ward when she received a training grant from CIRM while she studied for her PhD at the … Continue reading From our house to the White House. Kinda
Stem Cell Agency Expands Industry Alliance Program to Accelerate Therapies
An ever-growing array of academic and industry resources are required to rapidly translate scientific discoveries and emerging technologies toward safe and effective regenerative medicine therapies for patients. To help, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is creating a network of Industry Resource Partners (IRP) that will make its unique resources available to help accelerate … Continue reading Stem Cell Agency Expands Industry Alliance Program to Accelerate Therapies
The researcher who is following her bliss, and tackling diseases of aging at the same time
Dr. Jill Helms, and associate! Photo courtesy Stanford University Jill Helms is not your average Stanford University faculty member. Yes, she is a professor in the Department of Surgery. Yes, she has published lots of scientific studies. Yes, she is a stem cell scientist (funded by CIRM). And yes, she is playing a leading role … Continue reading The researcher who is following her bliss, and tackling diseases of aging at the same time
The Stem Cellar 