The TV commercial is nearly 20 years old but I remember it vividly: a couple is driving down a street when they suddenly realize the music on their tape deck is in sync with the repetitive activity on the street. From the guy casually dribbling a basketball to people walking along the sidewalk to the … Continue reading Rhythmic brain circuits built from stem cells
Salk Institute
Growing a rat pancreas in a mouse with stem cells & CRISPR: a solution for the organ shortage crisis?
Right now, about 120,000 Americans are on a waiting list for an organ transplant and 22 will die today before any organs become available. The plain truth is there aren’t enough organ donors to meet the demand. And according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the number of available organ donors has … Continue reading Growing a rat pancreas in a mouse with stem cells & CRISPR: a solution for the organ shortage crisis?
Brain Models Get an Upgrade: 3D Mini-Brains
Every year, companies like Apple, Microsoft and Google work tirelessly to upgrade their computer, software and smartphone technologies to satisfy growing demands for more functionality. Much like these companies, biomedical scientists work tirelessly to improve the research techniques and models they use to understand and treat human disease. Today, I’ll be talking about a cool … Continue reading Brain Models Get an Upgrade: 3D Mini-Brains
Stem Cell Stories that caught our eye: a womb with a view, reversing aging and stabilizing stem cells
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. Today we bring you a trifecta of stem cell stories that were partially funded by grants from CIRM. A womb with a view: using 3D … Continue reading Stem Cell Stories that caught our eye: a womb with a view, reversing aging and stabilizing stem cells
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: insights into stem cell biology through telomeres, reprogramming and lung disease
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. Telomeres and stem cell stability: too much of a good thing Just like those plastic tips at the end of shoelaces (fun fact: they’re called … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: insights into stem cell biology through telomeres, reprogramming and lung disease
Advancements in gene editing make blind rats see light
Gene editing is a rapidly advancing technology that scientists are using to manipulate the genomes of cells with precision and accuracy. Many of these experiments are being conducted on stem cells to genetic mutations in an attempt to find cures for various diseases like cancer, HIV and blindness. Speaking of blindness, researchers from the Salk Institute … Continue reading Advancements in gene editing make blind rats see light
Salk scientists explain why brain cells are genetically diverse
I’ve always wondered why some sets of genetically identical twins become not so identical later in life. Sometimes they differ in appearance. Other times, one twin is healthy while the other is plagued with a serious disease. These differences can be explained by exposure to different environmental factors over time, but there could also be … Continue reading Salk scientists explain why brain cells are genetically diverse
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: functioning liver tissue, making new bone, stem cells and mental health
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. Functioning liver tissue. Scientists are looking to stem cells as a potential alternative treatment to liver transplantation for patients with end-stage liver disease. Efforts are … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: functioning liver tissue, making new bone, stem cells and mental health
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Salamander limb regrowth, mass producing cells for kidneys and halting cancer stem cells
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. Fun with axolotls. Axolotls, the albino aquatic critters that look like they have feathers growing out of the backs of their heads, have long been … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Salamander limb regrowth, mass producing cells for kidneys and halting cancer stem cells
Salk Scientists Unlock New Secrets of Autism Using Human Stem Cells
Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder whose mental, physical, social and emotional symptoms are highly variable from person to person. Because individuals exhibit different combinations and severities of symptoms, the concept of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is now used to define the range of conditions. There are many hypotheses for why autism occurs in humans … Continue reading Salk Scientists Unlock New Secrets of Autism Using Human Stem Cells
The Stem Cellar 