Close-up of the arm of a 70-year-old male patient with a torn biceps muscle as a result of a bowling injury; Photo courtesy Science Photo Library In the time of coronavirus an awful lot of people are not just working from home they’re also working out at home. That’s a good thing; exercise is a … Continue reading Repairing damaged muscles
Disease Areas
CIRM funded trial for LAD-I announces positive results
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 combat infections. Rocket Pharmaceuticals has announced positive results from … Continue reading CIRM funded trial for LAD-I announces positive results
Could stem cells help reverse hair loss?
I thought that headline would grab your attention. The idea behind it grabbed my attention when I read about a new study in the journal Cell Metabolism that explored that idea and came away with a rather encouraging verdict of “perhaps”. The research team from the University of Helsinki say that on average people lose … Continue reading Could stem cells help reverse hair loss?
An Atlas of the Human Heart that May Guide Development of New Therapies
By Lisa Kadyk, PhD. CIRM Senior Science Officer Illustration of a man's heart - Courtesy Science Photo I love maps; I still have auto club maps of various parts of the country in my car. But, to tell the truth, those maps just don’t have as much information as I can get by typing in … Continue reading An Atlas of the Human Heart that May Guide Development of New Therapies
Partners in health
From left to right: Heather Dahlenburg, staff research associate; Jan Nolta, director of the Stem Cell Program; Jeannine Logan White, advanced cell therapy project manager; Sheng Yang, graduate student, Bridges Program, Humboldt State University, October 18, 2019. (AJ Cheline/UC Davis) At CIRM we are modest enough to know that we can't do everything by ourselves. … Continue reading Partners in health
Battling COVID and turning back the clock on stem cell funding
Coronavirus Battling the virus that causes COVID-19 is something that is top of everyone’s mind right now. That’s why CIRM is funding 17 different projects targeting the virus. But one of the most valuable tools in helping develop vaccines against a wide variety of diseases in the past is now coming under threat. We’ll talk … Continue reading Battling COVID and turning back the clock on stem cell funding
Byron’s story
Bryon Jenkin’s is one of the people we profiled in our recent 18 Month Report. The theme of the report is “Perseverance” and Byron certainly epitomizes that. This is his story. Photo of Byron Jenkins - hand on the plane - in his Navy fighter pilot days A former Navy flight officer and accomplished athlete … Continue reading Byron’s story
First patient in CIRM funded X-CGD trial gives back by working in patient care
Brenden Whittaker Brenden Whittaker was born with a rare genetic disorder called X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD). This condition affects the immune system's ability to fight off common germs, specifically bacteria and fungi, and can result in infections that would only be mild for healthy people. Unfortunately for Brenden, he has suffered life-threatening infections that … Continue reading First patient in CIRM funded X-CGD trial gives back by working in patient care
Creating an on-off switch to test stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Sometimes you read about a new study where the researchers did something that just leaves you gob smacked. That’s how I felt when I read a study in the journal Cell Stem Cell about a possible new approach to helping people with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). More on the gob smacking later. But first the reason … Continue reading Creating an on-off switch to test stem cell therapy for Parkinson’s Disease
Exploring tough questions, looking for answers
COVID-19 and social and racial injustice are two of the biggest challenges facing the US right now. This Thursday, October 8th, we are holding a conversation that explores finding answers to both. The CIRM Alpha Stem Cell Clinic Network Symposium is going to feature presentations about advances in stem cell and regenerative research, highlighting treatments … Continue reading Exploring tough questions, looking for answers
The Stem Cellar 