A call for scientists to speak out for Stem Cell Awareness Day

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) and the journal Cell Stem Cell, are asking stem cell scientists to take part in a social media campaign with the hashtag #AStemCellScientistBecause between October 1 and October 14. “We want to share with the world our pride and excitement to be a part of a worldwide … Continue reading A call for scientists to speak out for Stem Cell Awareness Day

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: getting the right cell, an energy booster, history of controversy and a fun video

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. Light used to direct stem cell fate. Stem cells respond to a symphony of cellular signals telling them to remain stem cells or to mature … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: getting the right cell, an energy booster, history of controversy and a fun video

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: correcting cystic fibrosis gene, improving IVF outcome, growing bone and Dolly

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. Cystic Fibrosis gene corrected in stem cells. A team at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston corrected the defective gene that causes cystic … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: correcting cystic fibrosis gene, improving IVF outcome, growing bone and Dolly

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: regenerating limbs on scaffolds, self regeneration via a drug, mood stem cells, CRISPR

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. Regenerating a limb, or at least part of it. Many teams have generated organs or parts of organs in animals by starting with a dead … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: regenerating limbs on scaffolds, self regeneration via a drug, mood stem cells, CRISPR

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Spinal cord injury, secret of creating complex tissue, mini brains in a dish and funding

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. Monkey trial provides some hope for spinal cord injury. Stem cell treatments have made many mice and rats walk again after spinal cord injury, but … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Spinal cord injury, secret of creating complex tissue, mini brains in a dish and funding

International stem cell group offers much needed guidance for patients and families

Yesterday the International Society for Stem Cell Research launched a greatly expanded website for the public. While the site, “Closer Look at Stem Cells,” offers a broad overview of stem cell science, the group launched it out of concern stem cell treatments are being marketed by clinics around the world without appropriate oversight and patient … Continue reading International stem cell group offers much needed guidance for patients and families

Stem cell stories that caught our eye: new ways to reprogram, shifting attitudes on tissue donation, and hockey legend’s miracle questioned

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. Insulin-producing cells produced from skin. Starting with human skin cells a team at the University of Iowa has created iPS-type stem cells through genetic reprogramming … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: new ways to reprogram, shifting attitudes on tissue donation, and hockey legend’s miracle questioned

Truth or Consequences: how to spot a liar and what to do once you catch them

Nothing undermines the credibility of science and scientists more than the retraction a high profile paper. Earlier this year there was a prime example of that when researchers at one of Japan’s most prestigious research institutions, the Riken Center for Developmental Biology in Kobe, had to retract a study that had gathered worldwide attention. The … Continue reading Truth or Consequences: how to spot a liar and what to do once you catch them

DISCUSSing iPSC Derivation

Geoff Lomax is CIRM’s Senior Officer for Medical and Ethical Standards. He has been working in the implementation of CIRM’s iPSC Banking Program. The ability to create high-quality stem cell lines depends, in part, on the generosity of donors. For example, CIRM is sponsoring an induced pluripotent stem cell bank (iPSC bank) that will eventually … Continue reading DISCUSSing iPSC Derivation

DISCUSSing iPSC Derivation

Geoff Lomax is CIRM’s Senior Officer for Medical and Ethical Standards. He has been working in the implementation of CIRM’s iPSC Banking Program. The ability to create high-quality stem cell lines depends, in part, on the generosity of donors. For example, CIRM is sponsoring an induced pluripotent stem cell bank (iPSC bank) that will eventually … Continue reading DISCUSSing iPSC Derivation