The human immune system is the body’s best defense against invaders. But even our hardy immune systems can sometimes be outpaced by particularly dangerous bacteria, viruses or other pathogens, or even by cancer. But what if we could give our immune system a boost when it needs it most? Last week scientists at the Salk … Continue reading Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger: Scientists Work to Create Improved Immune System One Cell at a Time
Cell Type
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: first iPS clinical trial, cancer metabolism and magnates helping heal hearts
Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. First clinical trial with reprogrammed stem cells. Today, a Japanese woman became the first patient to be treated with cells derived from reprogrammed iPS-type stem … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: first iPS clinical trial, cancer metabolism and magnates helping heal hearts
CIRM-Funded Scientists Test Recipe for Building New Muscles
When muscles get damaged due to disease or injury, the body activates its reserves—muscle stem cells that head to the injury site and mature into fully functioning muscle cells. But when the reserves are all used up, things get tricky. This is especially the case for people living with muscle diseases, such as muscular dystrophy, … Continue reading CIRM-Funded Scientists Test Recipe for Building New Muscles
Body’s own Healing Powers Could be Harnessed to Regrow Muscle, Wake Forest Study Finds
Imagine being able to repair muscle that had been damaged in an injury, not by transplanting new muscle or even by transplanting cells, but rather simply by laying the necessary groundwork—and letting the body do the rest. The ability for the human body to regenerate tissues lost to injury or disease may still be closer … Continue reading Body’s own Healing Powers Could be Harnessed to Regrow Muscle, Wake Forest Study Finds
Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: A Zebrafish’s Stripes, Stem Cell Sound Waves and the Dangers of Stem Cell Tourism
Here are some stem cell stories that caught our eye this past week. Some are groundbreaking science, others are of personal interest to us, and still others are just fun. How the Zebrafish Got its Stripes. Scientists in Germany have identified the different pigment cells that emerge during embryonic development and that determine the signature-striped … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories that Caught our Eye: A Zebrafish’s Stripes, Stem Cell Sound Waves and the Dangers of Stem Cell Tourism
World’s largest pharmaceutical company signs deal with ViaCyte supporting stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes
It’s been a good week for ViaCyte, a good week for us here at the stem cell agency and potentially a great week for people with type 1 diabetes.Earlier this week ViaCyte announced they have been given approval to start a clinical trial for their new approach to treating type 1 diabetes. Then today they announced … Continue reading World’s largest pharmaceutical company signs deal with ViaCyte supporting stem cell therapy for type 1 diabetes
Disease in a Dish – That’s a Mouthful: Using Human Stem Cells to Find ALS Treatments
Saying “let’s put some shrimp on the barbie” will whet an Australian’s appetite for barbequed prawns but for an American it conjures up an odd image of placing shrimp on a Barbie doll. This sort of word play confusion doesn’t just happen across continents but also between scientists and the public. Take “disease in a … Continue reading Disease in a Dish – That’s a Mouthful: Using Human Stem Cells to Find ALS Treatments
CIRM Creativity Student Cindy Nguyen Goes “Beyond the Classroom”
This summer we’re sponsoring high school interns in stem cell labs throughout California as part of our annual Creativity Program. We asked those students to share their experiences through blog posts and videos. Today in our final installment, we hear from Cindy Nguyen, who has been busy at Stanford University’s Beckman Center for Molecular and … Continue reading CIRM Creativity Student Cindy Nguyen Goes “Beyond the Classroom”
Revealing the Invisible: Scientists Uncover the Secret Ingredient to Making Blood-Forming Stem Cells
They are among the most versatile types of stem cell types in the body. They live inside bone marrow and in the blood of the umbilical cord. They can be used to treat deadly cancers such as leukemia (Leukemia Fact Sheet) as well as many blood disorders. But no one really understood the details of … Continue reading Revealing the Invisible: Scientists Uncover the Secret Ingredient to Making Blood-Forming Stem Cells
Breast Cancer Commandeers Mammary Stem Cells for Own, Nefarious Purposes
Most instances of breast cancer happen later in life—often after menopause. In many cases, the cancer progresses slowly, over a period of months or even years, often giving physicians precious time to implement a treatment plan, successfully battling that cancer into remission. But there is another far more aggressive form of breast cancer that tends … Continue reading Breast Cancer Commandeers Mammary Stem Cells for Own, Nefarious Purposes
The Stem Cellar 