Joseph Wu is co-senior author of a study that demonstrates how patient-derived heart cells can help scientists better study the heart and screen potential therapies. Photo courtesy of Steve Fisch Heart disease continues to be the number one cause of death in the United States. An estimated 375,000 people have a genetic form of heart … Continue reading CIRM funded study identifies potential drug target for deadly heart condition
Disease Areas
From bench to bedside: a Q&A with stem cell expert Jan Nolta
At CIRM we are privileged to work with many remarkable people who combine brilliance, compassion and commitment to their search for new therapies to help people in need. One of those who certainly fits that description is UC Davis' Jan Nolta. This week the UC Davis Newsroom posted a great interview with Jan. Rather than … Continue reading From bench to bedside: a Q&A with stem cell expert Jan Nolta
Developing a non-toxic approach to bone-crushing cancers
When cancer spreads to the bone the results can be devastating Battling cancer is always a balancing act. The methods we use – surgery, chemotherapy and radiation - can help remove the tumors but they often come at a price to the patient. In cases where the cancer has spread to the bone the treatments … Continue reading Developing a non-toxic approach to bone-crushing cancers
HIV eliminated from mice using CRISPR and LASER ART
Dr. Kamel Khalili In the United States alone, there are approximately 1.1 million people living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a virus that weakens the immune system by destroying important cells that fight off disease and infection. This number is much larger on a global scale, with 36.9 million people living with HIV as of … Continue reading HIV eliminated from mice using CRISPR and LASER ART
Breaking bad news to stem cell researchers
It’s never easy to tell someone that they are too late, that they missed the deadline. It’s particularly hard when you know that the person you are telling that to has spent years working on a project and now needs money to take it to the next level. But in science, as in life, it’s … Continue reading Breaking bad news to stem cell researchers
Stories of the week – preterm birth and mice with a human immune system
While we are here at ISSCR 2019 hearing various scientists talk about their work, we realize that there are various breakthroughs in stem cell research in a wide variety of different fields going on every day. It is wonderful to see how scientists are hard at work in developing the latest science and pushing innovation. … Continue reading Stories of the week – preterm birth and mice with a human immune system
“A new awakening”: One patient advocate’s fight for her daughters life
We often talk about the important role that patient advocates play in helping advance research. That was demonstrated in a powerful way last week when the CIRM Board approved almost $12 million to fund a clinical trial targeting a rare childhood disorder called cystinosis. The award, to Stephanie Cherqui and her team at UC San … Continue reading “A new awakening”: One patient advocate’s fight for her daughters life
Seeing is believing: A new tool to help us learn about stem cells.
Cave paintings from Libya: evidence humans communicated through visual images long before they created text There’s a large body of research that shows that many people learn better through visuals. Studies show that much of the sensory cortex in our brain is devoted to vision so our brains use images rather than text to make … Continue reading Seeing is believing: A new tool to help us learn about stem cells.
Blood-brain barrier chip created with stem cells expands potential for personalized medicine
An Organ-Chip used in the study to create a blood-brain barrier (BBB). The brain is a complex part of the human body that allows for the formation of thoughts and consciousness. In many ways it is the essence of who we are as individuals. Because of its importance, our bodies have developed various layers of … Continue reading Blood-brain barrier chip created with stem cells expands potential for personalized medicine
CIRM-funded clinical trial shows encouraging results for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia & mantle cell lymphoma
Illustration courtesy of Oncternal Therapeutics I often joke that my job here at CIRM is to be the official translator for the stem cell agency. I have to translate complex science into everyday English that people without a science background – that includes me – can understand. Think I’m joking? Try making sense of this. … Continue reading CIRM-funded clinical trial shows encouraging results for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia & mantle cell lymphoma
The Stem Cellar 