20 years of CIRM: After spurring new research, CIRM’s iPSC repository closes 

In celebration of CIRM’s 20th anniversary, we have been reflecting on some of the early projects we supported and their outcomes. This blog is a little different, because it also marks the end of a project. In 2013 CIRM announced a $32 million project to create a repository of stem cell lines from people with … Continue reading 20 years of CIRM: After spurring new research, CIRM’s iPSC repository closes 

How Patient-Derived Cells Are Changing ALS Research

Research Investigator Julia Kaye, PhD, stands for a portrait in a lab at Gladstone Institutes. Photo courtesy of Gladstone Institutes. Before there can be any therapies for disease, scientists need to understand what goes wrong in the first place. Are cells lost that could be replaced? Is there too much or too little of a … Continue reading How Patient-Derived Cells Are Changing ALS Research

Breaking barriers in rare disease: A gene therapy transforms cystinosis treatment

A 12 year-old Kurt Gillenberg. Photo courtesy of Kurt Gillenberg. When Kurt Gillenberg was 10 months old, his parents knew something wasn’t right. But it wasn’t until he reached 18 months that they found a doctor at the University of California, San Diego, who diagnosed Kurt with cystinosis – a rare genetic, metabolic defect that … Continue reading Breaking barriers in rare disease: A gene therapy transforms cystinosis treatment

CIRM Funds new UCSD VERGE Center to Better Understand Schizophrenia and Autism

From top left to right: Anne Bang, PhD; Carrie Bearden, PhD; Eugene Yeo, PhD; Jonathan Sebat, PhD Bottom left to right: Alysson Moutri, PhD; Lilia Iakoucheva, PhD; Sébastien Jacquemont; Trey Ideker, PhD  This blog is part of a series highlighting our ReMIND program and the researchers it’s supporting. To explore all features in the series, … Continue reading CIRM Funds new UCSD VERGE Center to Better Understand Schizophrenia and Autism

Gene Therapy Brings Hope to Families Affected by Rare Immune Disorder

Photo Courtesy of Andrea Fernandez de Soto Imagine a life where every time you step outside, everything in your environment poses a life-threatening risk. For children born with ADA-SCID (adenosine deaminase severe combined immunodeficiency), this is a reality. Their immune systems are so compromised that a common cold or a simple scrape on the knee … Continue reading Gene Therapy Brings Hope to Families Affected by Rare Immune Disorder

Celebrating 20 Years of Progress: CIRM’s 2024 Annual Report is Now Available

This year marks an important milestone for the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM)—20 years of accelerating innovation in regenerative medicine. To celebrate this achievement, we are excited to release the 2024 Annual Report, “Our Journey Forward: How CIRM Catalyzes Regenerative Medicine Today and Beyond.”  For two decades, CIRM has played a pivotal role in … Continue reading Celebrating 20 Years of Progress: CIRM’s 2024 Annual Report is Now Available

Stem Cell Awareness: What are stem cells and why research is important 

Have you heard of stem cells but don't know what they are or why they are essential in medical research? In celebration of Stem Cell Awareness Day, the second Wednesday in October that is dedicated to educating about the importance of stem cells, the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) is providing this guide on … Continue reading Stem Cell Awareness: What are stem cells and why research is important 

Next Generation of Regenerative Medicine Scientists and the Golden Era of Biomedical Innovation

CIRM CEO and President, Jonathan 'JT' Thomas speaking in front of conference attendees. During the first-ever California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) Trainee Networking Conference, more than 400 students and postdoctoral fellows from CIRM's Bridges, COMPASS, and Scholars programs gathered from different parts of California for a three-day event at the University of Southern California … Continue reading Next Generation of Regenerative Medicine Scientists and the Golden Era of Biomedical Innovation

California high schoolers “ignite innovation” at 2024 SPARK conference 

More than 100 student scientists from around California showcased their excitement for regenerative medicine and stem cell research at this year’s annual CIRM SPARK Conference in the sunny Inland Empire.    Hosted by UC Riverside from Aug. 5-6 at the Riverside Convention Center, this year’s event showcased the extraordinary talent and enthusiasm of high school students … Continue reading California high schoolers “ignite innovation” at 2024 SPARK conference 

Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) has been at the forefront of advancing cellular and gene therapies for various forms of vision loss—including retinitis pigmentosa (RP)—making significant progress in this critical field. Ongoing research and clinical trials are vital to further these advancements. We invite you to join our webinar, Exploring Advances in Eye Disease … Continue reading Exploring Advances in Eye Disease Webinar