Genes turn on, and genes turn off. Again and again, the genes that together comprise the human genome receive electrical signals that can direct when they should be active—and when they should be dormant. This intricate pattern of signals is a part of what guides an embryonic stem cell to grow and mature into any … Continue reading I Sing the Bioelectric: Long-Distance Electrical Signals Guide Cell Growth and Repair
Pioneer’s 25-year struggle to treat blindness
Being a pioneer is never easy. You are charting unknown territory, tackling problems that have defeated others before you. You have to overcome so many obstacles that at times the challenge can seem insurmountable. But for those who succeed in reaching their goal, the rewards can be extraordinary. Last month Italian researcher Graziella Pellegrini saw … Continue reading Pioneer’s 25-year struggle to treat blindness
Stem cell stories that caught our eye; Parkinson’s, drug boosts stem cells in MS and gender equity in science
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 survive and aid Parkinson’s in monkey. Ole Isacson, a pioneer in the effort to figure out how to use stem cells to treat … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye; Parkinson’s, drug boosts stem cells in MS and gender equity in science
Cartilage Repair using Embryonic Stem Cells: A Promising Path to Treating Millions of Osteoarthritis Sufferers
Bone scraping on bone — you can practically feel the excruciating pain just thinking about it. Sadly, that’s what happens to people suffering with osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease. Except for joint replacement surgery, no cure exists and the available medicines only work on the symptoms, pain and swelling, and not the underlying cause. … Continue reading Cartilage Repair using Embryonic Stem Cells: A Promising Path to Treating Millions of Osteoarthritis Sufferers
One-Time, Lasting Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease May be on Horizon, According to New CIRM-Funded Study
For the nearly 1,000 babies born each year in the United States with sickle cell disease, a painful and arduous road awaits them. The only cure is to find a bone marrow donor—an exceedingly rare proposition. Instead, the standard treatment for this inherited blood disorder is regular blood transfusions, with repeated hospitalizations to deal with … Continue reading One-Time, Lasting Treatment for Sickle Cell Disease May be on Horizon, According to New CIRM-Funded Study
The search for a cure: how stem cells could eradicate the AIDS virus
It’s hard to overstate just how devastating the AIDS crisis was at its peak in the U.S. – and still is today in many parts of the world. In 1995 almost 51,000 Americans died from the disease, the numbers of new cases were at almost record highs, and there were few effective therapies against the … Continue reading The search for a cure: how stem cells could eradicate the AIDS virus
Stem cell stories that caught our eye; viral genes in embryos, underuse of transplants and joint pain clinics
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. Ancient viral invaders help make us, us. The cells of our ancestors millions of years ago may have found a way to turn viral invasion … Continue reading Stem cell stories that caught our eye; viral genes in embryos, underuse of transplants and joint pain clinics
Stay on Target: Scientists Create Chemical ‘Homing Devices’ that Guide Stem Cells to Final Destination
When injecting stem cells into a patient, how do the cells know where to go? How do they know to travel to a specific damage site, without getting distracted along the way? Scientists are now discovering that, in some cases they do but in many cases, they don’t. So engineers have found a way to … Continue reading Stay on Target: Scientists Create Chemical ‘Homing Devices’ that Guide Stem Cells to Final Destination
How the human genome is unlocking some of the secrets of stem cells, hopefully leading to new treatments
A little over a year ago we set aside $40 million to study how variations in the human genome – the complete map of our genetic information – can affect our ability to use stem cells to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders. That money helped set up the Stanford/Salk Center of Excellence … Continue reading How the human genome is unlocking some of the secrets of stem cells, hopefully leading to new treatments
Heroic three-year study reveals safe methods for growing clinical-grade stem cells
Imagine seeking out the ideal pancake recipe: should you include sugar or no sugar? How about bleached vs. unbleached flour? Baking power or baking soda? When to flip the pancake on the skillet? You really have to test out many parameters to get that perfectly delicious light and fluffy pancake. Essentially that’s what a CIRM-funded … Continue reading Heroic three-year study reveals safe methods for growing clinical-grade stem cells
The Stem Cellar 