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. Fertility restoration after chemo—Maybe. A research paper presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine annual meeting in Baltimore this week got considerable attention on … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: Fertility after chemo, blood shortages, modeling kidney disease and “good” stress
New Video: Spinal Cord Injury and a CIRM-Funded Stem Cell-Based Trial
Just 31 years old, Richard Lajara thought he was going to die. On September 9, 2011 he slipped on some rocks at a popular swimming hole and was swept down a waterfall headfirst into a shallow, rocky pool of water. Though he survived, the fall left him paralyzed from the waist down due to a … Continue reading New Video: Spinal Cord Injury and a CIRM-Funded Stem Cell-Based Trial
CIRM Scholar Helen Fong on Stem Cells and Brain Disease
Meet another one of our talented CIRM Scholars, Helen Fong. She is currently a Research Scientist at the Gladstone Institutes and did her graduate work at the University of California, Irvine. Her passions include stem cells, disease modeling, and playing with differentiation protocols – the processes that tell stem cells to mature into specific tissues. … Continue reading CIRM Scholar Helen Fong on Stem Cells and Brain Disease
Skipping a Step: Turning Brain Cells Directly into Neurons
It was once commonly believed that “what you see is what you get” with the human brain. As in, the brains cells that you are born with are the only ones you’ll have for the rest of your life because they can’t regenerate. The discovery of brain stem cells in the late 90s disproved this … Continue reading Skipping a Step: Turning Brain Cells Directly into Neurons
From Stem Cells to Cures with Shinya Yamanaka and Google Ventures
How do you go from basic stem cell research to cures for patients? We ask this question everyday at CIRM, and we’re not alone in our tireless pursuit to find answers to this challenging question. In fact, two leaders on different sides of the stem cell arena - research and investment - came together last … Continue reading From Stem Cells to Cures with Shinya Yamanaka and Google Ventures
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sleepy stem cells, pig organ donors, therapy in the womb and dementia
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. A rested stem cell is a better stem cell. A bone marrow stem cell donor who has a sleep deficit of as little as four … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sleepy stem cells, pig organ donors, therapy in the womb and dementia
Don Reed Reflects on the California Stem Cell Initiative
Yesterday was stem cell awareness day. In honor of this important event, Don Reed held a book reading at CIRM for his newly released book, STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond: How Ordinary People Can Fight Back Against the Crushing Burden of Chronic Disease. Don has worn many hats during his life. He’s been … Continue reading Don Reed Reflects on the California Stem Cell Initiative
Happy Stem Cell Awareness Day!
I woke up today extra early this morning feeling like a kid at Christmas time because it's Stem Cell Awareness day! This exciting day brings together organizations and people around the world working to ensure that we realize the benefits of one of the most promising fields of science in our time. The day is a … Continue reading Happy Stem Cell Awareness Day!
Stem cells and prostate cancer are more similar than we thought
Prostate cancer is a scary word for men, no matter how macho or healthy they are. These days however, prostate cancer is no longer a death sentence for them. In fact, many men survive this disease if diagnosed early. However, for those unlucky ones who have more advanced stages of prostate cancer (where the tumor … Continue reading Stem cells and prostate cancer are more similar than we thought
Keeping elderly cells old to understand the aging process
Aging is a key risk factor for many diseases, particularly disorders of the brain like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, which primarily occur in the elderly. So a better understanding of the aging process should provide a better understanding of these neurodegenerative diseases. The induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technique makes it possible to grow human brain … Continue reading Keeping elderly cells old to understand the aging process
The Stem Cellar 