There’s plenty of scientific evidence that genes play a key role in defining personality. But how exactly? I mean, how is gene activity in cells ultimately linked to a person’s schmoozing talents at a cocktail party? CIRM-funded research published today in Nature, by collaborative teams at UC San Diego and the Salk Institute identified intriguing … Continue reading Scientists Sink their Teeth into a Molecular Understanding of Human Personality
Young Minds Shine Bright at the CIRM SPARK Conference
Yesterday was one of the most exciting and inspiring days I’ve had at CIRM since I joined the agency one year ago. We hosted the CIRM SPARK conference which brought together fifty-five high school students from across California to present their stem cell research from their summer internships. The day was a celebration of their … Continue reading Young Minds Shine Bright at the CIRM SPARK Conference
Fujifilm is Expanding Its Focus to Regenerative Medicine
Fujifilm began as a photography company, but today is a well-known multinational imaging and information technology corporation. More recently, it’s expanded its focus (pun intended) on developing innovative technologies in the healthcare and regenerative medicine space. The news that Fujifilm was expanding into regenerative medicine was surprising to some given the company’s expertise in areas … Continue reading Fujifilm is Expanding Its Focus to Regenerative Medicine
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: screening for cancer drugs for kids, better CRISPR gene editing and funding for chimeras
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. Stem cells screen drugs for kids’ rare tumor. A team at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore has transformed stem cells into a particularly nasty form … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: screening for cancer drugs for kids, better CRISPR gene editing and funding for chimeras
Unlocking the secrets of how stem cells decide what kind of cell they’re going to be
Before joining CIRM I thought OCT4 was a date on the calendar. But a new study says it may be a lot closer to a date with destiny, because this study says OCT4 helps determine what kinds of cell a stem cell will become. Now, before we go any further I should explain for people … Continue reading Unlocking the secrets of how stem cells decide what kind of cell they’re going to be
Stem cells maturing into nerve produce a compound that speeds the process
Getting pluripotent stem cells—those early stage stem cells that can make any tissue—to actually make the cell type you want can be quite tricky. I have written before that it takes a village to raise a stem cell because they respond to everything around them from the physical pressure and rigidity of their environment to … Continue reading Stem cells maturing into nerve produce a compound that speeds the process
Stem Cells May Help Endangered Species Live Long and Prosper
It’s the year 2286. The transmission signal of an alien space probe is wreaking havoc on Earth, knocking out the worldwide power grid and causing massive storms. It turns out the mysterious orbiting probe is trying to communicate with humpback whales through whale song and the devastation won’t stop until contact is made. But there’s … Continue reading Stem Cells May Help Endangered Species Live Long and Prosper
Tunable hydrogels guide stem cell differentiation
Differentiating stem cells into mature cells of adult tissue involves many intricate steps to get them to develop into the right cell types. You could compare the process to the careful adjustments you make when tuning a guitar. In the body, stem cells receive cues from their surrounding environment to mature into specific types of … Continue reading Tunable hydrogels guide stem cell differentiation
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: potential glaucoma therapy, Parkinson’s model, clinical trial list, cancer immune therapy
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. Stem cells may be option in glaucoma. A few (potentially) blind mice did not run fast enough in an Iowa lab. But lucky for them … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: potential glaucoma therapy, Parkinson’s model, clinical trial list, cancer immune therapy
How the Ice Bucket Challenge changed the fight against ALS
200 people in Boston take the Ice Bucket Challenge: Photo courtesy Forbes A couple of years ago millions of people did something they probably never thought they would: they dumped a bucket of ice cold water on their head to raise awareness about a disease most of them had probably never heard of, and almost … Continue reading How the Ice Bucket Challenge changed the fight against ALS
The Stem Cellar 