How does a single-celled human embryo transform into a human body with intricate organ systems containing trillions of specialized cells? Step into any college lecture discussing this question and I bet “transcription factors” is a phrase you’ll often hear. Transcription factors are DNA-binding proteins that act as cell fate control switches during development. For cells … Continue reading Filling the Holes in our Understanding of Stem Cell Fate
Patient advocates a small but mighty force at BIO meeting
A few hundred patient advocates operating from a small sub-section carved out of three cavernous exhibit halls could easily get lost amid the 16,000 scientists and business folks attending the BIO International meeting in San Francisco last week. But their voice was heard as they made great use of the meeting to remind companies developing … Continue reading Patient advocates a small but mighty force at BIO meeting
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: a surprising benefit of fasting, faster way to make iPSCs, unlocking the secret of leukemia cancer 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. Is fasting the fountain of youth? Among the many insults our bodies endure in old age is a weakened immune system which leaves the elderly … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: a surprising benefit of fasting, faster way to make iPSCs, unlocking the secret of leukemia cancer cells
BIO 2016: IMAGINE Curing Disease and Saving Lives Part 2
As promised, here is Part 2 of our blog coverage on the BIO International Convention currently ongoing in San Francisco. Here are a few more insights on the talks we attended and highlights of other coverage from top biotech journalists and media outlets. Keynote with Dr. Bennet Omalu and Will Smith on “Concussion” If you … Continue reading BIO 2016: IMAGINE Curing Disease and Saving Lives Part 2
IMAGINE Curing Disease and Saving Lives: BIO 2016 Part 1
Did you hear that? It’s the sound of more than 15,000 people taking a collective breath. That’s because we are now at the halfway point of the 2016 BIO International Convention, the world’s largest biotechnology gathering with over 900 speakers, 180 company presentations, 19 education tracks, 6 super sessions, and 35,000 partnering meetings. Now that’s … Continue reading IMAGINE Curing Disease and Saving Lives: BIO 2016 Part 1
Knowledge is on the menu at Dinner with a Scientist:
Helen Budworth, Ph.D., is one of the Science Officers at CIRM. She wrote this blog about her experiences talking to some budding local scientists who just happen to be ten years old. Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) “Dinner with a Scientist” event held at the Oakland Zoo. … Continue reading Knowledge is on the menu at Dinner with a Scientist:
Shedding Light on a Path to Halting Deadly Pancreatic Cancers
Pancreatic cancer has a dismal prognosis: only a quarter of those diagnosed survive past one year and only about six percent live beyond five years. Its strong resistance to chemotherapy makes pancreatic cancer one of the most aggressive, deadly cancers and leaves doctors with few treatment options. New ways to study pancreatic cancer are desperately … Continue reading Shedding Light on a Path to Halting Deadly Pancreatic Cancers
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: hopeful stroke data, new target for muscular dystrophy and a rave from Silicon Valley
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. Stroke study offers hope. The dogma in stroke recovery says six months after the event patients will have recovered as much as they ever will. … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: hopeful stroke data, new target for muscular dystrophy and a rave from Silicon Valley
Good from bad: UCSF scientists turn scar-forming cells into healthy liver cells
Most people know that a healthy liver is key for survival. Unfortunately, maintaining a healthy liver isn’t always easy. There are more than 100 different types of liver disease caused by various factors like viral infection, obesity, and genetics. If left untreated, they can progress to end-stage liver disease, also known as cirrhosis, which effects … Continue reading Good from bad: UCSF scientists turn scar-forming cells into healthy liver cells
Get your BIO on: Sneak Peak of the June 2016 BIO Convention in SF
Summer is almost here and for scientists around the world, that means it’s time to flock to one of the world’s biggest biotech meetings, the BIO International Convention. This year, BIO is hosted in the lovely city of San Francisco. From June 6-9th, over 15,000 biotechnology and pharma leaders, as well as other professionals, academics, … Continue reading Get your BIO on: Sneak Peak of the June 2016 BIO Convention in SF
The Stem Cellar 