Researchers at the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine have come up with what may be the ultimate in recycling programs. They want to take old, discarded kidneys and, using stem cells, turn them into healthy, functioning kidneys for transplant patients. Well, that’s the ultimate goal. They’ve still got a way to go, but they’re … Continue reading Hey, don’t throw out that kidney – I can use it
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Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury back on track
When Geron decided, in 2010, to halt the first ever clinical trial of stem cells for spinal cord injury it was a disappointment to many people, particularly for those with spinal cord injuries (SCI) who were hoping it might help them. But now that therapy is back, and the company behind it this time, Asterias … Continue reading Stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury back on track
CIRM Pursues “Prudent Path” Forward with Genome Editing Technologies
CIRM’s mission is to accelerate the delivery of stem cell treatments to patients with unmet medical needs. In pursuit of this mission CIRM consistently supports studies designed to apply the latest advances in research and medicine. For example, CIRM has supported the development some of the first therapies utilizing human embryonic stem cells. Another example … Continue reading CIRM Pursues “Prudent Path” Forward with Genome Editing Technologies
Faster, better, more efficient. Challenging? That too. An update on CIRM 2.0.
Changing direction is never easy. The greater the change the greater the likelihood you’ll have to make adjustments and do some fine-tuning along the way to make sure you get it right. On January 1st of this year we made a big change, launching CIRM 2.0. Our President and CEO Dr. C. Randal Mills called … Continue reading Faster, better, more efficient. Challenging? That too. An update on CIRM 2.0.
Two for 2.0 and Two for us
It began as an ambitious idea; yesterday it became a reality when the CIRM Board approved two projects under CIRM 2.0, one of them a Phase 3 clinical trial for a deadly form of skin cancer. Just to recap, CIRM 2.0 was introduced by Dr. C. Randal Mills when he took over as President and … Continue reading Two for 2.0 and Two for us
Stem cells, Darth Vader and the high cost of hope and hype
It’s not very often that you get stories about stem cells that mention Darth Vader, Obi Wan Kenobi, the Pittsburgh Steelers and a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon, but those references all popped up in a recent flurry of articles that are shining – yet again – the light on many of the unproven, unregulated uses … Continue reading Stem cells, Darth Vader and the high cost of hope and hype
Taking a step back, to move forward
Progress doesn’t always come in straight lines. Particularly when you are a pioneer in a whole new field of medicine like stem cells where virtually everything you do is being done for the first time, and the therapies you are developing are going to be tested in people for the first time. That’s why everything … Continue reading Taking a step back, to move forward
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: reversing aging, mature hearts, arthritic knees and tiny organs
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. Making stem cells feels young again. Stem cells are supposed to rejuvenate our tissues, whether brain or muscle, and keep them functioning at their peak. … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: reversing aging, mature hearts, arthritic knees and tiny organs
How stimulating! A new way to repair broken bones
For those of us who live in earthquake country the recent devastating quakes in Nepal are a reminder, as if we needed one, of the danger and damage these temblors can cause. Many of those injured in the quake suffered severe bone injuries – broken legs, crushed limbs etc. Repairing those injuries is going to … Continue reading How stimulating! A new way to repair broken bones
Using stem cells to mend a broken heart and winning $6,000 to boot
It’s no secret that the members of the CIRM blog team are all big fans of scientists who are good public communicators. We feel that the more scientists talk about their research, the better the public will understand the importance of science and it’s ability to help them or someone they love. So on Monday … Continue reading Using stem cells to mend a broken heart and winning $6,000 to boot
The Stem Cellar 