As we age our brains become less adept at making new nerve connections or repairing broken ones. A CIRM-funded team at the University of California, Irvine, restored this youthful ability, called nerve plasticity, to adult mice by transplanting embryonic nerve cells. Specifically, they worked with mice that had a form of blurred vision known as … Continue reading Old brains in mice given a trait of young brains with embryonic nerve transplant
Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sickle cell patient data, vaccine link to leukemia protection, faster cell analysis
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. Good news from sickle cell clinical trial. It is always satisfying to report positive results from human clinical trials using stem cells even when we … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye: sickle cell patient data, vaccine link to leukemia protection, faster cell analysis
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
Seth and Lauren Rogen Aim to Finish Alzheimer’s Film and End Lost Memories
When it comes right down to it, the closeness and love we feel for friends and family is based on our memories of shared experiences. But for Ken Dodson, those memories are evaporating: It didn’t seem to progress as fast ‘til this year. This year I’ve noticed a lot more. I mean [my doctor] has … Continue reading Seth and Lauren Rogen Aim to Finish Alzheimer’s Film and End Lost Memories
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
Dying cells signal their moms, aka stem cells, to protect themselves so that they can make replacements cells.
I love the name for stem cells in Spanish, células madre, or mother cell. It seems appropriate that the sons and daughters of our stem cells send a warning to mom to protect herself when they are under attack. Specifically, a team at the University of Washington reported Monday in Nature Communications, that when cells … Continue reading Dying cells signal their moms, aka stem cells, to protect themselves so that they can make replacements cells.
Eat some veggies; kill some cancer stem cells
This past Sunday sons and daughters far and wide thanked their mothers for all the love and wisdom they provided. I hope they also thanked mom for nagging them to eat their veggies especially the cruciferous ones like broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Based on research from South Dakota State University (SDSU), it turns out these foods … Continue reading Eat some veggies; kill some cancer stem cells
The Stem Cellar 